Celebrating 125 Years of the Irish Guards

The Irish Guards will exercise their right as Freemen of the Borough to parade in Bangor on Saturday 6 September as part of their 125th anniversary celebrations. 

Ards and North Down Borough Council awarded the Freedom of the Borough to the Irish Guards at a formal conferment ceremony in 2022 and this September's event marks the first time in their 125 year history that they will parade through the streets of Bangor.  

Members of the public are invited to attend the parade as well as the performance that will be held outside Bangor Castle. 

The parade will be led by the Irish Guards' Mascot, Turlough Mór, who is known as Seamus to his colleagues. It will consist of the Regimental Band of the Irish Guards as well as the Drums and Pipes of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, with approximately 300 personnel in total, including 50 band members.  

Starting at 3pm, they will march from Castle Park Road and follow a route through the city that includes Castle Park Avenue, Main Street, Bridge Street, High Street, Bingham Street, Mill Street, Hamilton Road, Main Street and Castle Park Avenue before returning to Castle Park Road. 

Following a short break, the Irish Guards will perform outside Bangor Castle at 4pm, with proceedings coming to a close around 4.30pm. 

Parade Route (3pm): Castle Park Road - Castle Park Avenue - Main Street (past the saluting dais outside Trinity Church) - Bridge Street - High Street - Bingham Street - Mill Street - Hamilton Road - Main Street - Castle Park Avenue - Castle Park Road 

Performance (4pm-4.30pm): Bangor Castle