'We're putting in a bit extra this year': Village to welcome thousands as Royal Black marks 1689 battle, with Ulster-Scots family entertainment and historical talks on offer
A Co Fermanagh village is getting ready to welcome up to 5,000 people as the Royal Black Institution roll in for a major demonstration on Saturday – with one notable figure, Tom Elliott, telling the News Letter: “We’re putting in a bit extra this year.”
Sir Knights will be marking the 337th anniversary of the Battle of Newtownbutler, a significant victory for Williamite forces in the summer of 1689, a year before the armies of King William III and James II met for the decisive Battle of the Boyne.
Brookeborough, a little over 10 miles from Newtownbutler, is to to host around 2,000 participants in the weekend’s parade, with as many as 3,000 spectators expected.
A total of 35 preceptories and a similar number of marching bands are scheduled to take part in the traditional parade, which will see members from Fermanagh joined by brethren from other parts of Northern Ireland and over the border in counties Cavan and Monaghan.
The battle took place on July 31, though celebrations are traditionally held on the first Saturday in August.
For former Fermanagh MP and MLA Lord Elliott, the day promises to be a highlight of the calendar.
“It’s always a very relaxed day in Fermanagh, but it’s the only major parade on that first Saturday in August so we get a good crowd,” he told the News Letter. “People from the border counties come, but also a sizeable group from throughout Northern Ireland to show their support.
"Brookeborough’s a wonderful venue for it; it’s hosted the parade on several occasions and we have the benefit of access and parking from a major road, the A4 [which skirts the south of the village]. It’s a great opportunity.”
In addition to the much-anticipated parade, this year’s event brings a historical talk on the Battle of Newtownbutler as well as a host of family entertainments with an Ulster-Scots theme to the village.
“We’re putting in a bit extra this year, to try to make it much more effective,” said Lord Elliott. “Though my main advice, as always, is to check the weather forecast and be prepared for the elements.”
Among the marching bands on parade will be Ballyreagh Silver, Tempo Accordion, Enniskillen Pipe and Auld Boys Flute, while Derryfubble Accordion Band are to lead the procession.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 12.30pm, leaving an assembly point at Boyhill Road and proceeding to the demonstration field on the A4.
Organisers say car parking is available on both sides of the main A4 road, at a field on the Lisnaskea Road and at a field on Station Road.
The Battle of Newtownbutler came about as Williamite forces used the Enniskillen area as a base to launch guerrilla raids on enemy encampments in Ulster and Connacht.
Marching north from Dublin, a 3,000-strong Jacobite army drew up for battle about a mile south of what is now Newtownbutler – but despite vastly superior numbers were routed, suffering a bloody defeat with heavy losses.