Apprentice Boys Of Derry Easter Monday Parade - 13/04/09

CairncastleClyde ValleyIts been a number of years since our band walked at Easter. So for us it felt new and with so many new members in the ranks even more so. We met as usual at our band hall. Today we were accompanied by Drumneagh ABOD club, whom i can say where a pleasure to walk with.

We marched today with 16 drummers, 36 flautists and 6 of a colour party with marshalls of course.

After a short parade in East Belfast we made the short trip to Larne. Thankfully the weather was first class.

A large number of bands gathered in the field including Cairncastle, looking very well turned out in their new uniform. Lower Ards Volunteers playing well as was Ballykeel LSOU. It was great to see a number of bands and clubs that i dont see very often. It was also good to see the Larne bands out in force today, Constable Anderson, Clyde Valley and Cairncastle. The mighty Whiterock, SBYC, Shankill star, the Carson, UVF Regimental, West Belfast Volunteers - just a few from Belfast. Mourne Young Defenders, Newtownards Melody, Clogher, Rising Sons East Belfast all making an appearance. Great to see Bridgeton Loyalists and Greengrairs Thistle both making the trip over from Scotland.

The parade route around Larne was around an hours walk. With great weather it attracted a large crowd in the town Centre. I was suprised to see so many travel to Larne to watch the parade. The parade was a great one and both the bands and crowds played their part in making it a success.



Below are a selection of photographs of the band in action. (Thanks to Ulsterboy and Squeezerbabe)

Colour Party Drum Corps Drum Corps Bass Drummer Flute Corps Flute Corps


Here are some clips of the band in action.
CLIP 1 - CLIP 2 - CLIP 3

Whiterock Bass DrummerCarsonToday for my own band was the first parade for around 14 new members in the ranks. As usual ill blow my own trumpet and say all done very well. One that stood out today was our new bass drummer, he done great all day and has Prod Boy blood in his veins.

All the new members done very well. The playing side of things for the band we done ok for our first outing. A number of new tunes where tried and tested in the more quiter sections of the parade.

I was led to believe it was one of the biggest turnouts for an Easter Monday parade in years.

At the break today we also played a small indoor in the No1 club in Larne. Our first time in the club and the owners and members of the club went out of their way for us, including a collection around those in attendence.

Overall it was a good day for the band and it was a good start to the season for all the bands and hopefully all bands will enjoy the marching season.

John Keenan
East Belfast Protestant Boys Flute Band Chairman

BACK TO PARADE INDEX