Parades Commission imposes restrictions on 'tour of the north' parade in Belfast - one of the first major events of the marching season

​The annual parade’s route changes somewhat each year, but generally encompasses the north of inner city Belfast as well as the northern part of the city centre.

It starts at 7.30pm on Friday, June 21.

Though some lodges will be joining the parade from different locales in the lower Shankill area, the principal parade will set off from Carlisle Circus and move clockwise through the city centre then out as far west as Twaddell Avenue before meandering back to the circus.

A map of the 'Tour of the North' route (starting point, Carlisle Circus)

Carlisle Circus sits at an interface between the loyalist lower Shankill and the New Lodge district, and the route will take the parade from there past Carrick Hill (another nearby republican enclave) and along Donegall Street, past St Patrick’s Catholic chapel.

The section described above has been the site of tension before, with counter-demonstrators occasionally making an appearance to object to the parade.

A such, the commission has made this ruling: "Only a single drumbeat, on a single side drum, shall be played on that part of the notified route between the junction of the Westlink and Clifton Street (the junction closest to Stanhope Street which is the first junction when travelling out of the city centre towards Carlisle Circus) and the junction of Union Street and Donegall Street.

"No supporters shall accompany the parade between the junction of the Westlink and Clifton Street (the second junction when travelling out of the city towards Carlisle Circus) and the junction of Union Street and Donegall Street.”

Pacemaker Press 16-06-2023: The 'tour of the north' leaving Carlisle Circus in north Belfast

It has also stated a number of standard rules about avoiding delays, having adequate stewards, and so on.

It also added that “no paramilitary-style clothing is to be worn at any time during the parade and flags, bannerettes and symbols relating to a proscribed organisation shall in no circumstances be displayed”.

Nine bands are slated to take part on the 11/1 form: Pride of the Ardoyne, Monkstown YCV Flute Band, Cloughfern Young Conquerors, Millar Memorial Flute Band, Whitewell Tartan Flute Band, City of Belfast Fife and Drums, Rathcoole KAI (aka Sons of Kai), Shankill Star Flute Band and Fairhill Flute Band.