'˜Good feedback' to Royal Black wedding gesture

Two sets of newlyweds were said to have 'really appreciated' the Royal Black Institition's decision to re-route a large-scale parade away from their marriage venues.
First Minister Arlene Foster, waving to the Royal Black Chapter as it passes through the streets of EnniskillenFirst Minister Arlene Foster, waving to the Royal Black Chapter as it passes through the streets of Enniskillen
First Minister Arlene Foster, waving to the Royal Black Chapter as it passes through the streets of Enniskillen

David Black told the News Letter that following last weekend’s enormous parade through Enniskillen he had received word that there had been “good feedback” from the weddings of two couples – one getting married at St Michael’s Catholic church, and the other at St Macartin’s Church of Ireland cathedral.

In addition, Mr Black – past district master, and current chaplain of RBP36 – said that the sheer size of the parade was a mark of the growing strength of the Black fraternity in Enniskillen.

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He estimated that there had been up to 3,000 members of the Institution on parade during the afternoon of Saturday, August 6 – plus 36 bands.

Sir Knights with Glaslough RBP 332 with their 90 year old banner in EnniskillenSir Knights with Glaslough RBP 332 with their 90 year old banner in Enniskillen
Sir Knights with Glaslough RBP 332 with their 90 year old banner in Enniskillen

As previously reported, the original route was changed as a gesture of “respect” and “blessing” towards the couples.

This week, he said that they had received word from some people who had been at the weddings, and told the News Letter that the couples “really appreciated the voluntary movement of the route”.

He said the Institution had been “praised” and “thanked” for the gesture – which he said had allowed the two happy couples “to have as much freedom and joy in their day as we had out of ours”.

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He said that the parade had been “probably the biggest Black demonstration we’ve had in Fermanagh” – and almost equalled the size of Orange parades on the Twelfth.

Sir Knights with Glaslough RBP 332 with their 90 year old banner in EnniskillenSir Knights with Glaslough RBP 332 with their 90 year old banner in Enniskillen
Sir Knights with Glaslough RBP 332 with their 90 year old banner in Enniskillen

He said: “It has come across the backdrop of a revival in the Royal Black [in Fermanagh].

“There seems a greater interest among the young men in Co Fermanagh about getting into the Royal Black.”

He suggested that the positivity of this latest parade could swell their numbers even more.

He added that the parade next year looks set to be held in a different venue in Co Femanagh.