The marching season began with the beat of a drum yesterday as thousands of people lined the streets of Belfast to witness the Apprentice Boys of Derry march their traditional route around the city centre.
Flute bands and marchers in their crimson sashes congregated in the shadow of the City Hall for a 12.30 p.m. start. The Apprentice Boys Governor, Mr Alistair Simpson, and leading members of the loyal order from Derry led the parade.
Many of the 5,000 Apprentice Boys chose not to wear the traditional bowler hat and white gloves. But as they set out, the rain descended, and those armed with black umbrellas were thankful of shelter from the elements.
A DUP Assembly member, Mr Paul Berry, walked with his branch members as some bystanders saluted the familiar face. Those lining the route waved Union Flags and cheered on the marchers, with a special cheer reserved for their local lodge. More than 50 bands took part. in the event. The scarlet militaristic uniform worn by members of a UVF marching band from east Belfast was matched only by the even brighter blue uniform of a flute band from Carrickfergus, Co Antrim.
The route of the demonstration took marchers through the predominantly loyalist Village area of south Belfast. Large crowds converged at Shaftesbury Square, the main thoroughfare close to the loyalist areas of Sandy Row and Donegall Pass, as the march turned on to the Lisburn Road.
Disturbances broke out at a loyalist band parade in Portadown, Co Armagh, yesterday evening. Police confirmed that 150 people were involved in the disturbance during which one man was arrested. There were also reports of houses in the Catholic Obin Street area coming under attack. One man was injured.