Northern Ireland centenary parade attracted 100,000 spectators, say police

A massive parade to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland brought tens of thousands of spectators into Belfast on Saturday.
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(Scroll all the way down for multiple videos of yesterday’s parade)

Large and happy crowds at Stormont and along the 4.5 mile route early on Saturday afternoon to mark 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland in 1921.

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More than 20,000 marchers, and around 100,000 spectators, thronged the roads into Belfast city centre, according to a police estimate.

People gather at Stormont before the start of the Northern Ireland centenary parade from Stormont towards City Hall in Belfast, to commemorate the creation of Northern Ireland on Saturday May 28, 2022. Photo: Niall Carson/PA WirePeople gather at Stormont before the start of the Northern Ireland centenary parade from Stormont towards City Hall in Belfast, to commemorate the creation of Northern Ireland on Saturday May 28, 2022. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
People gather at Stormont before the start of the Northern Ireland centenary parade from Stormont towards City Hall in Belfast, to commemorate the creation of Northern Ireland on Saturday May 28, 2022. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

after making their way from Parliament Buildings.

At around 7pm on Saturday evening, the final bands and marchers were arriving in Belfast after a day that saw unionists from across Northern Ireland meet to celebrate the century since partition.

The parade left Stormont at around 1.20pm (this video includes a 10 minute video from the beginning of the parade leaving the Stormont estate and joining the Newtownards Road).

The procession made its way towards Belfast City Hall where marchers were greeted by the Grand Master of the Orange Order, Edward Stevenson.

A view of some of the parade as it leaves Stormont towards the city centre. 



Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEyeA view of some of the parade as it leaves Stormont towards the city centre. 



Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
A view of some of the parade as it leaves Stormont towards the city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
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Many businesses had closed early, with every street in the city centre thronged with enthusiastic observers of the parade.

A large police presence was stationed in parts of Belfast as the parade continued late into the afternoon.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the parade had ended by 8.30pm.

Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones thanked organisers and those in attendance for “making the event a success”.

Marchers during the Northern Ireland centenary parade from Stormont towards City Hall in Belfast, to commemorate the creation of Northern Ireland. Photo: Niall Carson/PA WireMarchers during the Northern Ireland centenary parade from Stormont towards City Hall in Belfast, to commemorate the creation of Northern Ireland. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Marchers during the Northern Ireland centenary parade from Stormont towards City Hall in Belfast, to commemorate the creation of Northern Ireland. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
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“An event of this nature requires extensive logistical management and we worked throughout the day to facilitate travel where possible and ensure roads were reopened and areas returned to normal at the earliest opportunity.”

Earlier, the Grand Secretary of the Orange Order, Rev Mervyn Gibson, appealed for unity within unionism as he hit out at US President Joe Biden and US congressman Richard Neal in his speech at Stormont.

He suggested “compromise” might be necessary to secure the stability of Northern Ireland, telling the crowd: “We do not live in a world as we would like it to be. We live in a world in the reality of today, with its challenges for this generation.”

There were cheers and applause during his speech as he defended the place of Northern Ireland in the UK.

Members of the public in Belfast city centre wave flags and enjoy the spectacle of the centenary parade. Photo: Niall Carson/PA WireMembers of the public in Belfast city centre wave flags and enjoy the spectacle of the centenary parade. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Members of the public in Belfast city centre wave flags and enjoy the spectacle of the centenary parade. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
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“Someone tweeted ahead of today that we as unionists are living in times of uncertainty and opposition. They are right, but that is and always has been the case,” he told the crowd.

“We have always lived in such times due to those within who want to destroy Northern Ireland for the sake of some new utopian Ireland where we are told we will all be valued.

“A new Ireland where the planter after 400 years will finally be accepted.

“Let me respond to this magnanimous gesture: we neither need your permission nor acceptance.

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“We are here longer than Joe and Richie’s folks are in America. We are United Kingdom citizens by birth, Northern Irish through our culture and heritage, which makes us British by choice and conviction.

“We have no interest in becoming part of an all-Ireland. Save your breath.

The parade on Donegall Place approaching Belfast City Hall on Saturday. Photo Arthur Allison/Pacemaker PressThe parade on Donegall Place approaching Belfast City Hall on Saturday. Photo Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press
The parade on Donegall Place approaching Belfast City Hall on Saturday. Photo Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

“Not one unionist politician, not one, believes the protocol is good for Northern Ireland.

“The majority of unionists have voted that political unionism do not join an executive until the wrongs lurking in the protocol are rooted out and thrown out.

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“Let us make it very simple for our European neighbours, not least those on the other side of the border in the Republic of Ireland.

“Two key elements must go, no tweaking, no tampering, no fudge, no constructive ambiguity, no excuses.

“We will not tolerate any system, process or structure that will allow checks on any goods trading within the UK for use within the UK.

“No fundamental change to the protocol, then no functioning Assembly.

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“The words of our forefathers still ring true for us today even from Derry’s walls to the signing of the Covenant. United we stand, divided we fall.

“And the cry to those who seek to persuade us, protocol or push us into a united Ireland, is still the same: no surrender.”

Mr Stevenson had opened proceedings at Stormont by telling the crowd: “From its earliest days, Northern Ireland had to face turbulent times and very many challenges.”

He was cheered as he promised that Northern Ireland will remain an “integral” part of the UK.

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He said: “Due to the adversity of those years, I believe that we are fully justified in not only commemorating, but proudly celebrating, this anniversary.

“Disappointingly, but predictably, throughout 2021 there were those who told us that there is nothing to celebrate. They sought to belittle, undermine and erase the history of our people and our country.

“Rather than a celebration, they repeatedly downplayed the anniversary and all it stood for.

“Regrettably, even our own UK Government did little, despite much encouragement by this organisation and others, to ensure that the centenary was marked in a fitting way.”

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The celebration at Stormont included prayers, a short act of remembrance and the singing of God Save the Queen.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was among many unionist politicians who joined the parade.

He told the PA news agency that the lack of a functioning executive, which his party has prevented from forming, did not mean Northern Ireland could not be celebrated.

“We have lots to celebrate in Northern Ireland. We have come through adversity in the past and we faced it down. And we’re looking to build for the future.

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“Of course we want to see Stormont restored, but that means restoring Northern Ireland’s place fully in the United Kingdom.

“Everyone is welcome here and if people feel they can’t be here, that of course is a matter for them.

“But we are here to celebrate 100 years of Northern Ireland. We are proud of what has been achieved in that century and we’re looking ahead to the future.”

UUP leader Doug Beattie said it was important to “separate” the celebration of Northern Ireland’s history with the political deadlock at Stormont.

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He said: “We have to separate that slightly from the political ebbs and flows of this place.

“We have had many ebbs and flows as far as Stormont is concerned, and the devolved settlement, and we need to separate one from the other.”

Mr Beattie said he understood some people will not want to celebrate the history of Northern Ireland.

He added: “Those people who want a united Ireland, many of them will not want to commemorate 100 years of this place we live in now, which we call Northern Ireland.

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“That is up to them and I have no issue with them - they can stay away. They are not being forced to come here, nobody is being forced to come here, but I hope they do take an opportunity to watch and see how respectfully this is going to be done today.”

Some spectators had arrived as early as 9am along the route into the city centre, with Union flags hung along streets around Stormont.

Many families took deck chairs as they awaited the arrival of the parade in the May sunshine.

The event came after the Covid-19 pandemic postponed the celebrations last year.

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The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned ahead of Saturday that the parade was likely to cause delays and diversions for motorists in and around the city.

Members of the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland, the Junior Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, the Royal Black Institution and the Apprentice Boys of Derry also took part in the parade.

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