News

Thousands gather for colourful Sham Battle at Scarva

King William defeats King James at the annual Sham Fight at Scarva Co Down. Picture Matt Bohill Pacemaker Press
King William defeats King James at the annual Sham Fight at Scarva Co Down. Picture Matt Bohill Pacemaker Press King William defeats King James at the annual Sham Fight at Scarva Co Down. Picture Matt Bohill Pacemaker Press

Thousands of people have gathered in the sunshine at Scarva for the annual sham fight, organised by the Royal Black Institution, which re-enacts the battle of 1690 between William of Orange and King James II.

Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution, Millar Farr opened the popular event by saying it was a "wonderful occasion packed with music, pageantry, culture and history".

"It is amazing such a large-scale re-enactment and parade is organised on a yearly basis by a small team of volunteers", Mr Farr said.

"Due to their sterling efforts, the Sham Fight is rightly regarded as one of the flagship events of the summer and the parading season", he added.

The Sham Fight at Scarva is the only remaining one of its kind in Ireland.

The re-enactment is staged in a field close to the chestnut tree where King William tied his horse on the way to the Battle of the Boyne and where his troops rested.

King William was played by John Adair and King James by Colin Cairns. They are accompanied by their armies of soldiers in period costume.

Up to 90 Royal Black Preceptories and almost 4,000 members took part in the parade accompanied by flute, pipe, accordion and brass bands.

Deputy Grand Chaplain, Robert Campbell told the gathered crowd; "Our society has changed vastly over the years, but societies always change".

"One hundred years ago long political speeches were printed verbatim in newspapers; even the interjections by the crowd were included. People avidly read every word in its context.

"Today, we are given short sound bites followed by political commentary that tends to be little better than conjecture, speculation or conspiracy.

"I dread to think what history students 100 years hence will think about now when they load the microfilm into the viewer.

"In the same way, how is it that in the past our forefathers in the faith could explain the Christian faith simply, profoundly and consistently", he added.