After a terrible day with the weather we quickly headed down to this small loyalist village in County Fermanagh, we done this parade last year so we knew what to expect.

We got another fantastic welcome from a good size crowd and well received by all spectators whilst walking around the entire parade route.

This is the fourth long trip for us this week so it was also a bit of a boy’s night out after the parade with some casual drinking being the main theme.

As we waited to parade I was able to see the Newtownards Protestant Boys, Pride of the Derg, Sons of Ulster from the Shankill and the South Fermanagh Young Loyalists whom where sporting their new uniform; it looked well and is a big difference from their last uniform.

I was able to get a wee look at the Rising Sons of the Valley from Kilkeel and Dollingstown. This was a great parade and good craic going through the tunnel and back into the town

This is always a good night out down here in Fermanagh and after the long journey its only a short parade but all bands are well received and once your finished you can have a nice comfortable drink with your fellow Protestants.

Any band planning a great relaxing parade should bookmark this event next year and its one of the most enjoyable parades in the marching season, I am sure that the Defenders of the Rock would make you feel very welcome because all the bands that I have talked too say the same.

Tonight we walked with 15 side drummers, 25 fluters, 2 bass drummers, colour party of 9, 3 cymbal boys and a marshal. Our flutes tonight where very strong as was our own performance all week, travelling from one end of the country to the other.

The band where presented with the following awards during last nights parade competition results:

                1st Blood & Thunder Band
                1st Blood & Thunder Drum Corps
                1st Blood & Thunder Bass Drum
                1st Lead Tip
                1st Colour Party
                1st Style & Appearance
                1st Best Overall Band

4 long trips in one week for us was good and for us getting good sized bands for all parades pleased me greatly, hopefully we have made a few new friends on our travels and we very much enjoyed our trip to Lisbellaw.

John Keenan
East Belfast Protestant Boys Flute Band Chairman

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