Last Saturday crowds turn out to see 17,000 members of 'The Black' and 300 marching bands

The largest demonstration was in Newry where some 5000 members were on parade, accompanied by 100 marching bands of the highest quality - flute, pipes, accordion and silver, punctuated with plenty of drums.

For spectators who turned out, it is a non-negotiable part of their annual calendar - the entire extravaganza taking a good two hours to pass any one point, with wall after wall of contrasting musical styles.

County Grand Master Paul McCarroll told the News Letter he was more than pleased with how the day had gone.

"The rain has kept off well, the weather's been very favourable,” he said. “A few light showers, but nothing that they can't handle, and certainly an improvement from our experience this time last yearr.

"It's been great to get the county out on the road and so far everything has gone according to plan."

It was in dramatic contrast to last year, when the parade in Dundrum had to be abandoned at lunch time due to heavy rain.

"The weather just turned rather unfavourable to us last year and we had to take a decision to abandon the return routes."

But this year, there was not much more than a bit of mizzle, he said.

"We'll take that, take that any day."

"It is good to get the county altogether in one place at one time. It's good to see the bands and the Sir Knights well turned out and parading the witness of the reformed Christian faith in Newry City.

"And we're thankful to the Sir Knights Royal Black District number 4 for all the arrangements they've made. They have certainly not missed anything and they've made the day run so successfully."

As is the tradition, a service of worship was held in the field, led by senior Black officers on a flat bed truck, with large Union and Northern Ireland flags on display.

It began with two minutes silence in memory of members of the Black that were murdered by the IRA during the Troubles.

Resolutions were passed on faith, the constitution and loyalty to the crown.

Five young members of the Black from Kilkeel were among those who were enjoying the field - Harvey Gordon, Ben McConnell, James Annett, Joel Young and Mason Hanna.

Mason disagreed with any suggestion that the Black was mainly for older men.

"I do definitely think you see a lot of young men in the Black in Mourne," he said.

"Last year we had 15 men new men come in and I think the average age of them was about 19 or 20.

"And this year we have a lot more men coming in, aged 18, 16, 17 coming straight out of the lodges and juniors, joining up. I think it is great if I am honest.

"It helps to celebrate our culture and show us what our identity is all about without getting in anybody's way."

Compared to the Orange Order, he said there are many more regular meetings and more volunteering.

"It is like a tighter knit Orange Order," he said.

Three ladies from Lisburn typified the dedication to the annual event, regardless of the weather; Andrena Jamison, Ann Faloon and Laura Drake.

"Well, I always came to the last Saturday," said Andrena. "My husband and two boys are here, so I wouldn't miss them parading."

Ann said she had come "to support friends" and was not bothered by the thought of some rain. "No, not at all."

Laura came to support her partner's son and friends from Largymore. "And they come every year to the last Saturday,” she said.

The rain does not bother her either. "When you come from Northern Ireland, you just get used to it. You just have to get up and go,” she added.

Hundreds of spectators lined the streets as the parade made its way from the assembly area at Newry High School to the demonstration field at Shandon Park. The main parade began at noon, with the return parade leaving the field at 4pm.

In advance of the day, the head of the Royal Black Institution said it would be “a wonderful spectacle of culture and pageantry”.

Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson attended the demonstration at Dundonald, where members of City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter gathered for a parade of around 2000 men.