Craigywarren 100th Anniversary Parade

Members of Craigywarren Flute Band who celebrate their 100th anniversary with a parade on Wednesday night.

Craigywarren invites all spectators to come along on Wednesday, August 21 to support them on this special occasion.

Craigywarren flute band is one of the oldest bands still parading in Northern Ireland. Located just three miles from the village of Clough, the band was formed on March 24, 1913.

This was just before the first world war around the time of the signing of the Ulster Covenant to lead the growing number of volunteers opposes to Home Rule in marches and drills.

Since 1913 the band has been growing from strength to strength, increasing their followers throughout the years.

Their members range from young teenagers right up to past serving members with some holding between 30 and over fifty years within the band.

They also lead Black Perceptory clubs and Apprentice Clubs of Londonderry.

Since the band’s formation they led their Orange Lodge Craigywarren 46, every twelfth of July in Ballymena, following the same route that has been set down by founding members.

The parade begins at 7.30pm at Ballymoney Road car park (opposite the 24 hour garage) and heads through the town up Wellington Street, Church Street, Bridge Street across Harryville Bridge.

After a route around Harryville that takes in Henry Street, Gilmore Street and Queen Street, it finishes back at Ballymoney Road via Waveney Road and Galgorm Road.