The Twelfth 2024: Towns across NI to experience ‘traffic disruption’ due to parades (2024)

Bands and marchers will march at 18 locations across all six counties to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

The locations include Belfast, Killylea, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Cloughmills, Ahoghill, Broughshane, Gilford, Newtownards, Ballynahinch, Annalong, Irvinestown, Londonderry, Moneymore, Benburb, Newtownstewart, Ballygawley and Derriaghy.

Police are advising motorists that some “traffic disruption” is to be expected due to a number of parades planned throughout the day.

Officers will be on the ground to accommodate the flow of traffic in all locations on the day and to avoid potential delays.

Road users may wish to seek another route if not attending a parade.

The PSNI issued the following traffic and travel advice below for a number of parades:

Annalong, Co Down

The district parade will commence in Kilkeel on Friday between 10am to 10.30am and will walk out along the coast road to Annalong.

This route will bring in Greencastle Street, Bridge Street and Newcastle Road before making its way to Ballymartin and Annalong to the demonstration field at Hillmount Park.

Following a service and refreshments in the demonstration field, the return parade will move off at around 4pm.

Lodges and bands will parade through Annalong to Ballymartin with a Kilkeel parade forming up at Mill Road junction taking in Newcastle Street, Bridge Street, Newry Street then Harbour Road, Harbour Drive and Knockchree Avenue to Kilkeel Orange Hall.

This is expected to disperse around 6.30pm.

Also on Friday, at around 11pm, Mourne Young Defenders will parade from Newcastle Street to Bridge Street, Newry Street to Ben Crom, Harbour Road to Harbour Drive, Greencastle Street, Knockchree Avenue, Harbour Drive, Knockchree Avenue and Greencastle Street, finishing at the Orange Hall around midnight.

Ballynahinch, Co Down

Local lodges and bands will assemble on Friday at around 11.15am taking in Dromore Road, Antrim Road, Dromore Road, Dromore Street, High Street, Main Street and Belfast Road.

The main demonstration is expected to start at 12pm along Belfast Road, Main Street, High Street, Church Street, Church Road and Spa Road.

Following refreshments and a service in the demonstration field from 2pm, the return parade will leave at around 4pm following the same route.

Ballynahinch District will then parade back to the Orange Hall from 5.30pm along Harmony Way, Windmill Street, High Street, Dromore Street and Dromore Road. Dispersing at around 6pm.

Killylea, Co Armagh

The main parade is scheduled to move off from the assembly field on the A28 Killylea Road from around 10am making its way to the demonstration field via Main Street to the demonstration field by 1pm.

The return parade is scheduled to move off from 2.45pm along the same route.

There will be no through traffic on the A28 Killylea Road at Killylea village between 9am and 6pm.

The Killylea Road between the Ballycrummy Road/Killylea Road junction and the Knappagh Road/Killylea Road junction will be affected until 6pm with diversions in place.

Traffic travelling from Armagh to Caledon should travel via Cathedral Road, Battleford Road and Knappagh Road.

Meanwhile, traffic travelling to Armagh from Caledon should travel via the Coolkill Road, Middletown and Monaghan Road.

Gilford, Co Down

The main parade is scheduled to move off from the assembly field on the Lurgan Road at around 12pm making its way to the demonstration field at 1.45pm.

The route takes in High Street, High Street, Dunbarton Street, Mill Street, Bridge Street, Wall Road and Scarva Road leading to the demonstration field.

The return parade is scheduled to move off at around 4pm, parading back to Lurgan Road. Local lodges will turn at the square at Mill Street to Bridge Street and Stramore Road.

The return parades should take around 90 minutes.

Parking is located on Gilford's Scarva Road with limited parking also off the Lurgan Road close to the assembly field.

Moneymore, Co Londonderry

The main parade is scheduled to move off from the Desertmartin Road assembly field at around 11.30am making its way to the demonstration field. Delays should be expected from around 10am.

The route takes in Station Road, Lawford Street, High Street, Stonard Street, Bridger Street and Moneyhaw Road leading to the demonstration field.

The return parade is scheduled to move off at around 3.30pm, parading back to Desertmartin Road.

The return parade should disperse at around 5pm.

Benburb, Co Tyrone

The main parade is scheduled to assemble from around 11.30am from Benburb Community Playing Fields.

At around 12.30pm, the parade will makes its way along Drumgose Road, Derryfubble Road, Main Street and into main demonstration field on Clonfeacle Road.

At approximately 4pm, the return parade will leave the main demonstration field and proceed along Main Street, Benburb and Drumflugh Road into Benburb (former) primary school. It is expected to disperse at around 5.30pm.

Ballygawley, Co Tyrone

The main parade is scheduled to assemble from around 11am as participants and supporters arrive to assemble at Church Street in preparation.

At approximately 12pm, the parade will leave Church Street and proceed along Main Street, Old Dungannon Road, Dungannon Road, Ballygawley Roundabout and Omagh Road, into main demonstration field at Ballygawley roundabout) for a service.

At around 3.30pm, the parade will leave the main demonstration field and proceed on its return journey and towards Church Street and Grange Road for dispersal at around 5.30pm.

There will be parking restrictions along the parade route.

Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh

Delays are expected from 10am as participants and supporters arrive to assemble at Castle Irvine Estate (Necarne Castle) in preparation.

At approximately 12pm, the parade will leave the estate and proceed along Castle Street, Mill Street, Main Street (left hand side), Fair Green Street, Kesh Road and to the demonstration field opposite Kesh Road/ junction of Moneykee Road.

At approximately 3pm, the parade will leave the demonstration field and proceed on its return journey. It is expected to disperse at around 5.30pm

There will be parking restrictions along the parade route.

If travelling between Omagh to Enniskillen, road users may wish to seek another route if not attending a parade.