In pictures: Orange juniors out in strength in Ballymoney whilst big Belfast parade postponed until May - and moved to Co Down

It was the quarter-century anniversary parade for Drumaheagles Junior Orange Lodge, still going strong a quarter-century from its founding.

The juniors were joined in the Co Antrim town by other youngsters and senior brethren, alongside several bands.

One of the superintendents, Malcolm Steele, estimated that perhaps 800 to 900 people were out as spectators.

“The kids had a great day, and there was a very good turnout of supporters along the parade route,” he said.

The original idea had been to hold the parade in June, when the lodge’s inaugural parade actually took place, but instead it was moved to Easter Tuesday to take advantage of the children being off school.

He said the lodge remains a “healthy” one in terms of numbers, 25 years on from when it was created.

He advised youngsters who are considering joining in to get in contact with their local junior lodge and talk to the superintendents.

Marching alongside them on the route were a number of members of the Independent Orange Order juniors section.

The Prince of Orange Junior ILOL1 was only re-formed again in 2023.

William Fenton, a spokesman for the independents, said despite being a separate movement, “neighbourly decency” motivated members to get involved in Tuesday’s march.

Among those on the march were Ferniskey Rising Sons JLOL 265, Blues and Royals JLOL 50 of Bushmills, Woodburn Young Defenders JLOL 258, Crown Defenders of Cloughmills, Blaugh Sons of Ulster from Coleraine, Giant's Causeway Protestant Boys, and Benvarden Flute Band of North Antrim.

There was a small parade in Belfast too, involving the No 1 Junior Orange District West Belfast.

It was held in the Shankill area in the city’s north-west, with the Pride of the Ardoyne flute band accompanying.

Plans for a much bigger parade by the Belfast Junior County Lodge, which traditionally takes place on Easter Tuesday, have changed.

Instead this will be held on Saturday, May 18, and will not be in Belfast, but rather in the north Down coastal village of Donaghadee.

Noel Liggett, county master, said the change was down to “a number of factors”.