Apprentice Boys parade through Belfast
The Apprentice Boys of Derry have begun this year’s marching season with the first major parade through Belfast.
The main Easter parade was held in the east of the city with hundreds of people lining the streets to welcome the marchers and bands.
An Act of Remembrance was conducted by Bro. Rev Alan Smylie at the Cenotaph at the offices of the Ulster Unionist Party on the Belmont Road.
Earlier, a feeder parade passed by St Patrick’s Catholic Church on Belfast’s Donegall Street.
In accordance with the Parades Commission’s determination, a single drum beat played out as they passed the church.
Carrick Hill Concerned Residents held a counter-demonstration as the parade passed by.
Earlier nationalist residents protested at another feeder parade as it passed the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast.
The parades all passed off without major incident.
