Warm Ballymena welcome home for the Royal Irish Regiment

A series of events will be held throughout the province to welcome the return of Royal Irish Regiment, marking their homecoming from Afghanistan, with the Ballymena parade being the first event of the weekend.

Approximately 200 troops will take part in the parade, setting off from The Braid on Bridge Street at 8pm led by the Regimental Band.

The parade will progress along Mill Street, Wellington Street – where the official Salute will take place, past the Bandstand at Broadway and down Church Street finishing outside The Braid again.

On the parade’s dismissal, troops and invited guests will attend a civic reception inside The Braid, hosted by Ballymena Borough Council

According to the Mayor of Ballymena, Councillor Maurice Mills, hundreds of local people are expected to line the streets of the town to welcome the troops.

He said: “We have been very encouraged by the overwhelming response of the people of Ballymena in welcoming this parade. We are delighted to be able to support the local service men and women in this way and to recognise the tremendous sacrifices and commitment the troops have made. We are proud of their efforts and are pleased to welcome them to our Borough”.

Town Clerk & Chief Executive of Ballymena Borough Council, Mrs Anne Donaghy added: “Ballymena Borough Council has a long association with the Royal Irish Regiment, with its Regimental Headquarters located at St Patrick’s Barracks in the town for several decades, our association was sealed with the granting of the Freedom of the Borough for the Regiment. We look forward to welcoming visitors and troops for this spectacular event”.

Anyone wishing to attend the parade is advised to gather along the parade route between 7 and 7.15pm.

On-street parking in the town centre will be restricted and the roads will be closed to traffic from approximately 6.30pm until 8.45pm.