Brethren bound for Larne on the Twelfth

Carrickfergus District LOL No 19 breathern make their way to the field in Ballyclare. INNT 29-025-PSB

Brethren will parade from Albert Road Orange Hall at 10am on Friday before boarding buses from the harbour car park for the main demonstration in Larne.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the East Antrim Combine celebration in the neighbouring town.

The Larne demonstration will be led by Islandmagee Orange Lodge - with its distinctive banner portraying an old sailing ship - as it marks 150 years.

The parade will commence at 11.00 am at Church Road and will continue along Bridge Street; High Street; Upper Main Street; Main Street; Agnew Street; Old Glenarm Road; Herbert Avenue; Greenland Drive; Newington Avenuue; Glenarm Road; Curran Road; Bay Road; Chaine Memorial Road; Rugby Road into Sandy Bay Playing Fields returning at 3.30 pm via Bay Park; Curran Road; Main Street; Upper Main Street; High Street; Bridge Street; Station Road and Circular Road.

Fifty lodges are expected to take part, including 19 in the host Larne District with accompanying bands including three from Scotland and 30 overall bringing the total number of participants to 5,000.

Deputy district master Iain Ross indicated that as many as 10,000 spectators from the Larne area and across East Antrim are expected to line the route. Mr. Ross said that the District was looking forward to a “peaceful and enjoyable day”.

He urged those who attend to remember the occasion is about “the battle not the bottle”. “We hope people come along and be respectful and enjoy the day. It is a dignifed parade and well-run parade. I just hope it stays like that. It has been months and months in the planning.”

The main speaker in the field will be Rev. William Anderson, Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Preceptory. Singer James Strange will be providing entertainment.