Royal Black Institution members heading off to demonstrations at Dungannon and Coleraine on Saturday
The curtain comes down on the 2026 marching season this Saturday with members of the Royal Black Institution from East Tyrone and South Londonderry heading off to demonstrations in Dungannon and Coleraine.
A total of 80 preceptories will be accompanied by the same number of bands at the Co Tyrone Grand Black Chapter demonstration in Dungannon.
Killyman RBDC No 1 is hosting the event, which was last held there seven years ago.
Members from Monaghan, Cavan, Donegal, Fermanagh and Armagh will join with Sir Knights from Tyrone in the 3,500-strong procession, with around 20,000 spectators expected to attend.
The procession will make its way to the demonstration field at Lord Northland Park.
David Livingstone, the County Grand Master for Armagh, will be the principal speaker. Platform proceedings will be chaired by Harold Erskine, County Grand Master, Tyrone, with the service of worship conducted by Canon Alan Irwin, County Grand Chaplain, Tyrone.
The Co Londonderry demonstration was last held in Coleraine 20 years ago.
Members of 33 preceptories and 31 bands will be among the 2,500 participants in the parade, which will involve four districts - Coleraine No 1, City of Londonderry No 2 Raphoe No 3 and South Londonderry No 4.
The demonstration field is at Coleraine Showgrounds, where the main platform speakers will include Mervyn Kernaghan, Assistant Sovereign Grand Master; John Goligher, County Grand Master; Rev Joseph Andrews, County Grand Chaplain; and Rev Keith McIntyre.
The main parade will start at 12 noon, with the return one due to begin at 3.45pm.
The RBI is holding three other major parades on August 29 – at Dundonald, Larne and Newry.