Royal Black parade in Antrim

Eighty preceptories will take part in the demonstration which this year takes place in Antrim.

The parade will assemble at Fountain Hill and at 12.30pm make its way via Fountain Street, Church Street, High Street, Bridge Street, Dublin Road and Randalstown Road.

It is expected there will be 78 bands in the parade and 3,000 members of the Royal Black Institution on parade.

The platform proceedings will begin at 3pm under the chairman, Ken Williamson, Antrim District Master. The main speaker will be Millar Farr, Sovereign Grand Master and the service of worship will be conducted by Rev. Robert Campbell.

The parade will return from the demonstration field at 4.15pm.The demonstration was last held in Antrim in 2005.

Police are advising that access to Fountain Hill/Belfast Road will be extremely limited prior to the forming up times to allow buses to turn and park.

A number of feeder parades are also taking place before and after the main demonstration so traffic should avoid the town centre where at all possible.

Police would also like to take this opportunity to advise participants and spectators against drinking anywhere along the parade route.

Area Commander Chief Inspector Natalie Wilson said: “We want people to enjoy themselves but we would stress that they must do so safely and legally.

“We are sending out a very clear message that drinking either on the parade route or on the street will not be tolerated and officers will not hesitate to enforce legislation and bye-laws. “We will have officers along the route and at other hotspot locations and they will confiscate alcohol being consumed illegally and report people to local councils, the PPS, or Youth Diversion Officers as appropriate.”

Chief Inspector Wilson added: “We would also urge people planning to go out to any of the local bars after the demonstration to keep a sensible head.

“Often when people drink excessively there can be a tendency for instances of anti-social behaviour and assaults to rise.

“No one in Antrim wants to see that happen. We want people to have a good day out, but to do it with consideration for others.”