Twelfth: Ballymena, Cullybackey & Broughshane

Saturday will see the annual Twelfth celebrations take place locally in Ballymena, Broughshane and Cullybackey.
Fife and drummers parading along Wellington Street at last year's Ballymena twelfth. INBT28- BALLYMENA TWELFTHFife and drummers parading along Wellington Street at last year's Ballymena twelfth. INBT28- BALLYMENA TWELFTH
Fife and drummers parading along Wellington Street at last year's Ballymena twelfth. INBT28- BALLYMENA TWELFTH

Orangemen representing 16 lodges will take part in the traditional Triangle Combine parade in Cullybackey which last hosted in 2011.

The main parade will commence at 12.30pm from Ard-Na-Maine and proceed via Station Road, Main Street, Shellinghill Road, Kilmakevit Road, Tobar Park and into the Community Centre for festivities and a religious service conducted by Rev Richard McKay. The platform party will include senior Orangemen from each of the three local districts; Cullybackey WM, Brian Warren, Ahoghill WM, Leslie Galloway, and Portglenone WN, William McCallion.

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Broughshane will play host to the Braid Twelfth – traditionally one of the smallest demonstrations. A total of 11 lodges – representing upwards of 350 Orangemen – will be accompanied by nine bands and a number of Lambeg drum and host lodge Lisnamurrican LOL 523, will have the honour of leading the way.

The main parade is scheduled to start at 12noon on the Ballymena-Broughshane Road, going through the village to the field at the junction of the Rathkeel and Buckna roads where guest speaker will be MLA and Orangeman, Robin Swann.

In Ballymena, past Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Robert Saulters, will once again join the 30 lodges and 15 bands which will assemble on Waveney Road at 12.30pm and parade through the town via Galgorm Road, the Pentagon, Lower Mill Street, Wellington Street, Ballymoney Street, William Street, Broughshane Street, Broadway, Church Street, Bridge Street, Harryville Bridge, Queen’s Street and Antrim Road to the field at Ballee playing fields.

There are about 1,000 Orangemen in the district and the parade is being hosted by Crimson Banner LOL 961. The religious service at 3pm will be conducted by Grand Chaplain, Rev Ian McClean.

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