Thousands take part in Royal Black parades

Thousands of members of the Royal Black Institution are taking part in ‘Last Saturday’ parades across Northern Ireland.

The processions traditionally mark the end of the Loyal Order marching season each summer.

The largest parade of the day is in Comber, with others in Antrim, Castledawson, Lisburn, Omagh and Aughnacloy.

Sovereign Grand Master Millar Farr, who is attending the Castledawson parade, said: “The various demonstrations offer a wonderful spectacle of culture and pageantry.

“It has been a memorable and significant year for the Institution, perhaps most notable for our Christian ethos and our charitable outreach.

“We were delighted to present over £100,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support, with the substantive funds going towards a local aftercare scheme for prostate cancer patients.

“The Institution has also played a leading role in the ongoing commemorations in 2017 to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.”