County Down Grand Black Chapter - Gallery Instituted 1846

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Centenary Circuit - August 2021

The Centenary Circuit which was the flagship event to mark the Centenary of Northern Ireland by the Royal Black Institution also formed part of a memorial project to Sir Norman Stronge, Past Sovereign Grand Master who was murdered by the PIRA on 21^st January 1981. The event was also used to raise much needed funds for the Somme Nursing Home which is the Institution’s designated charity this year, and many of the walkers used the opportunity to obtain sponsorship.

The circuit, commencing at Tynan Co Armagh arrived in County Down on Tuesday 24^th August and started at Holywood and followed ‘The Ulster Way’ to Orlock Head. On the second day Wednesday 25^th August in County Down, it moved further south to Ballyhoran and the Murlough Bay areas and finally on day three, Thursday 26^th August, an 8-mile hike over the Mournes with a short dander in Kilkeel town later in the day completed the County Down aspect of the circuit.