Thousands turn out for Royal Black parade in Scarva
Last updated 14th Jul 2026
Tens of thousands gathered in the Co Down village of Scarva today (July 14) for the annual Royal Black Institution celebrations.
More than 70 marching bands comprising pipes, accordions, flutes and silver were joined by around 4,000 members of the Institution in the large-scale procession preceding the traditional Sham Fight.
The mock battle commemorates the victory of King William III over King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
Considered to be the biggest one-day event at a single location in Northern Ireland, each year the festivities in Scarva attract attendances in the region of 100,000.
The parade was led from the assembly field on Gilford Road by the Royal Black Institution’s Sir Knight Alfred Buller Memorial RBP 1000, accompanied by Waringsford Pipe Band.
John Adair, registrar of RBP 1000 and famous for portraying King William at Scarva for more than 30 years, said: "It is a day of music, pageantry and culture, and it is important to maintain the tradition of the Sham Fight, which is the only remaining one in Ireland, if not Europe."
Speaking before the Sham Fight - in which he and Colin Cairns, in the role of King James, crossed swords once again leading to an inevitable conclusion - John joked: "Out of it all, I’ve never won one battle."
Platform proceedings included contributions from Rev William Anderson and County Armagh Grand Master and Imperial Grand Treasurer, David Livingstone, who said the Scarva celebrations were 'a truly unique event within our loyal orders.'
"That, I am convinced, is why it holds such a special place in all our hearts," he said.
"It is the culmination of year round planning and, as this event grows, that planning becomes more and more complex."
Earlier in the day, Scarva RBP 1000 officers laid a wreath at the village war memorial to local members of the security forces murdered during the Troubles.