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Belfast Telegraph
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Portrush parade that clashed with The Open made for ‘most memorable weekend' on north coast, councillor says
Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band parading on Saturday night. Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Allister Kyle hailed the Portrush Sons of Ulster Parade as a huge success despite concerns expressed in the run-up the event which saw more than 80 bands march through the seaside town. The local representative and TUV chairman, who was among those who lined the streets on Saturday night, praised parade organisers. Mr Kyle cited an assessment he received from the PSNI this morning which estimated the number of spectators to be 12,000. He said he was informed that 'in spite of that mammoth attendance, there were a sum total of zero incidents involving police linked to the parade' and that 'organisers were a pleasure to work with'. The PSNI confirmed it made two arrests in the Portrush area on Saturday evening 'which were not related to the annual band parade'. 'The parade itself passed off peacefully without incident,' a spokesperson added. The Parades Commission was notified of 83 bands from all over NI taking part in the march making it bigger than any single Twelfth parade. It was led by Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band. Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band parading on Saturday night. Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Watch: Birmingham man enjoys his first Twelfth as thousands parade in Belfast Organisers had been offered around £20,000 to postpone the parade due to concerns about supporters merging with golf fans, but rejected the cash incentive. Tee-times were then brought forward as "marginal adjustments" were made at Royal Portrush Golf Club to ensure both events could take place in a "seamless" way. Robert Thompson, bandmaster of Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band which led the parade, previously said he had no hesitation in supporting the decision to go ahead with the demonstration. 'If they had chosen not to have held it, we would have backed them," he said. 'But they chose to go ahead and asked us to have the privilege of leading it, and we jumped at the chance.' A number of tourists who were in the area for The Open decided to stick around after the golf ended to watch the spectacle. Harn Huang had travelled from South Africa with her mum and boyfriend and snapped up the chance to see her first parade. 'We don't have anything like this,' she said. 'I'm here to see both the golf and the parade. "It's very cool.' Other visitors, including Canadian Jess Marks and her partner Tim Shaw, were not aware of the parade but said they had heard rumblings of 'an event that might cause a few problems at the train station with more people trying to leave'. But Mr Kyle said 'meticulous planning' avoided any problems. 'It is beyond dispute that, for locals and visitors to our shores alike, the band parade was not, as some uninformed outlets described it, controversial in any way, shape or form, but instead positively contributed to a most memorable weekend on the north coast,' he added. 'Well done Portrush Sons of Ulster — and thank you.' Read more
Belfast Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Huge band parade underway in Portrush after Open timings moved to avoid clash
More than 80 bands are marching through the town this evening. The annual parade, organised by the local Sons of Ulster Flute Band, coincides with the third day of the tournament. Large crowds gathered in the seaside town to enjoy the parade as it moved off at 8.30pm. It was led by Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band. The route takes in Metropole Green, Sandhill Drive, Eglinton Street, Kerr Street, Upper Main Street, Main Street, Causeway Street, Victoria Street and Dunluce Avenue. According to the Parades Commission application, 83 bands are now expected to take part. Bands from as far away as Co Down are marching, with organisers saying more bands have joined due to recent publicity. That makes it bigger than any single Twelfth parade. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of sports fans are in the area for The Open at the nearby Royal Portrush Golf Club. The organising band was offered around £20,000 by organisers to postpone their parade — which they refused. Outside the Station Bar today, Jeff McCusker said the band was 'definitely right to not accept the money'. 'The parade is every year on this date and if the golf organisers wanted to they could have reached out long before they did to the band,' he said. Earlier this week, Mark Darbon, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient (R&A), said there would be "marginal adjustments" of about 15 minutes to the golf tee-times to try to ensure both events can take place in a "seamless" way. "We recognise that when we bring The Open Championship to town, we are a guest in the community in which we operate," he said. "On many occasions, there are concurrent events that take place around the action that we are very focused on here, within the walls of the venue. "So, recognising the events that are taking place on Saturday, we have worked really collaboratively with the organisers and across multi-agency groups to ensure, primarily, that both events can run as seamlessly as possible. "We are making a slight tweak to tee times to try and finish - it's not dramatic, maybe 15 minutes or so earlier.'
