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It's going to be a busy weekend for parades in Newry with a diverse variety of marches taking place in the city.
The first feet on the street are from Newry Commemoration Committee, tomorrow night Friday 30 August at 7pm with two bands the Patrick Rankin Republican Flute Band and St Joseph's Longstone expected to take part with up to 600 participants and supporters taking part. The route will take in William Street, Buttercrane Quay, Merchant's Quay, Monaghan Street, Patrick Street and Doran's Hill.
Fifteen minutes later at the other end of the city the South Down Defenders Flute Band parade starts at 7.15pm. This parade could have up to 50 bands and 3500 participants and supporters. Conditions have been imposed on the parade with only the host band, the South Down Defenders Flute Band allowed to proceed along the notified route as far as Newry Town Hall and back prior to the remaining bands beginning at Ardmore at 8.05pm and proceeding via Belfast Road, Downshire Road, Church Avenue and Sandys Street, turning right at the roundabout at the junction of Sandys Street and Downshire Road, and back along Downshire Road for dispersal no later than 10:30pm.
Then on Saturday 31 August it's the turn of the Royal Black Preceptory and the Newry Pride Parade. First parade of the day is organised by Newry Royal Black District Chapter No. 4 and it begins at 8.30am from the Downshire Road taking in Sandy Street Roundabout, Trevor Hill, Kildare Street, Hill Street, Margaret Square, Margaret Street, Needham Bridge and Soho bus station. The parade returns by the same route in reverse at 6pm. There's expected to be 8 bands with 360 participants and supporters.
At 1pm on Saturday it's the turn of Newry Pride organised by Newry LGBTQ+ Women's Group. It marks the return of Newry Pride after a 5 year absence. Potentially 70 groups could be participating with up to 9000 participants and supporters. The parade starts at the Albert Basin travelling via Buttercrane Quay, Merchant's Quay, Needham Bridge and Hill Street.
Police have advised road users to expect traffic delays in Newry tomorrow evening with officers on the ground to accommodate the flow of traffic in the city. They have suggested if motorists want to avoid potential delays they should seek an alternative route for their journey where possible.
