Ulster Day 2026: Anniversary of Ulster Covenant understood to be under consideration for new Drumcree parade
It is understood that Orangemen are considering a new bid to walk down the Garvaghy Road to co-incide with Ulster Day 2026.
It is believed that the date of September 27 is when marchers aim to stage the Portadown parade, something which they have been barred from doing ever since 1998 when the Parades Commission came into being.
Their efforts have been given fresh impetus by the quashing of the Parades Commission’s long-standing ruling which was revealed last Tuesday.
The Drumcree parade was traditionally a church one held on Sundays, and September 27 is the closest Sunday to Ulster Day.
Ulster Day dates back to Saturday, September 28, 1912, and is so-called because it marked the mass collection of signatures for the Ulster Covenant.
Multiple sources have indicated to the News Letter that this is the date – though it is not clear exactly how the Orangemen aim to get down the Garvaghy Road.
They are currently demanding the resignation of the entire Parades Commission board, which would normally adjudicate on the parade, and Portadown district said last night that it cannot guarantee Orangemen will keep on submitting notifications for parades until all five remaining commission members are gone.
The Orangemen of Portadown district aim to release further details on Thursday morning.
It is further understood that if the current commissioners remain in place and decide to block the parade, then this will be challenged through the courts.