THE Orange Order is to hold a large-scale parade in Belfast next May to mark the Northern Ireland centenary.
It had been originally been planned for May this year, but did not take place due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and its related restrictions.
The institution has now revealed that its Northern Ireland CentenNIal parade will take place in Belfast on May 28.
While it said it was working on the "finer details", it was reported that the parade will leave Stormont and make its way to Belfast City Hall.
The Orange Order said it is anticipated that the event will be similar to an Ulster Covenant Centenary parade which was held in 2012.
During this, an estimated 30,000 marchers took part, parading from City Hall to the grounds of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont.
A heavy police presence surrounded more than 2,000 Orangemen from north Belfast lodges as they marched towards City Hall to mark the signing of the pro-union covenant.
Unionists agreed with the Parades Commission to play only hymns along Donegall Street as they passed St Patrick's Church near the city centre.
However, residents claimed the bands breached the rules.
The huge parade finished at Stormont with a cultural festival, which was held to commemorate the 1912 proclamation against plans for Home Rule in Ireland.
A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland yesterday said it had "set a date of Saturday, 28th May 2022, for its Northern Ireland CentenNIal parade which will be held in Belfast.
"It was originally planned to hold this event in May 2021 and it was greatly anticipated by our membership and the wider Orange family," he said.
"Unfortunately, this could not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We are working on the finer details of the event, which will be finalised in due course, however it is anticipated that it will be similar to the Ulster Covenant Centenary Parade held in 2012".
