All the traffic and travel updates ahead of the Orange Order centennial celebrations in Belfast

Over 25,000 people from across Northern Ireland are expected to take part in the event on Saturday. Credit: PA Images

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland is holding its Northern Ireland CenteNIal Parade on Saturday, after having to delay it in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event is expected to see more than 25,000 people come to Belfast to watch and participate in the parade.

Here's all the information you need to know leading up to the event.

Where is the event taking place?

The march will begin at Parliament Buildings in the Stormont estate. From 10am there will be entertainment and food available for attendees at Stormont.

There will be platform proceedings in front of Parliament Buildings at 12pm, including an address from Grand Master Most Worshipful Bro. Edward Stevenson.

The parade will then leave Stormont at 1.pm, travelling through east Belfast towards the City Hall.

The parade will go through the following areas;

  • Prince of Wales Avenue

  • Upper Newtownards Road

  • Newtownards Road

  • Bridge End

  • Ann Street

  • Victoria Street

  • High Street

  • Castle Place

  • Donegall Place

The parade will end at the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall.

What are the road closures in Belfast?

The PSNI have announced that from the approximate times below there will be traffic management measures or road closures on the following areas.

6am onwards - barriers/cones will be places on Newtownards Road, High Street, Donegall Place, City Centre South and Sandy Row

From 12 Noon onwards East Belfast area/Stormont/Newtownards Road

  • 11.55am -  Upper Newtownards Road/ East Link/ Ulster Hospital

  • 12.15pm -  Upper Newtownards Road/ Comber Road

  • 12.25pm -  Upper Newtownards Road/ Rosemount

  • 11.45am - Massey Ave/ Belmont Road

  • 12 Noon - Hawthornden/ Knock/ Upper Newtownards Road junction

  • 12 Noon - Knock Road/ Kings Road

  • 12.30pm - Holywood Road/ Belmont Road

  • 12 Noon – 12.10pm -   Albertbridge Road area

  • 11.15am - Ballymiscaw and Dunlady diversion

  • 11.35am - Comber Road/ East Link Road

  • 11.40am - Old Dundonald Road/ East Link Road

  • 11.45am -  Kings Road diversion

  • 12.30pm - University Road /Lower Crescent

  • 12.30pm - Sandy Row/ Donegall Road/Lisburn Road

From 1 pm onwards City Centre

  • 1pm - M3 Offslip

  • 1pm - Donegall Quay

  • 1pm - Waring Street

  • 1pm – 1.45pm - Short Strand/ Mountpottinger Link/ Station Street/ Ormeau Road /Ormeau Avenue

  • 1.15pm - Millfield/ Divis St/ King Street/ Castle Street

  • 1.20pm - Middlepath Street

  • 1.25pm - Oxford Street/ May Street

  • 1.35pm - Cromac Street/ East Bridge Street

  • 1.40pm - Sydenham Bypass off slip

  • 1.40pm - Shaftesbury Square

  • 1.45pm - GrosvenorRoad/ Durham Street

  • 1.55pm - Fisherwick Place

When is the event due to finish?

The main parade is due to end at around 5.30/6.00pm. The police anticipate the Belfast City Centre will return to normal at approximately 7.30/8.00pm.

What is the advice for those travelling through Belfast on Saturday?

The PSNI are advising anyone travelling through Belfast to leave extra time for their journeys on Saturday to account for any disruption and delays.

There will be a series of traffic diversions along the parade route, however the Police are asking people to anticipate delays.

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