Scarva Banbridge and RBP 435

Blackskull have participated in the RBP parade in Scarva for a number of years now, Scarva is one of those parades which is as good to stand and watch as it is to walk in. For a number of years new we have most fortunate to be able to join with our Brothers from Banbridge 435 RPB to parade in Banbridge then at Scarva on this most famous site, We do hope dearly this association will preserve for years to come.The main parade is at Scarva (from the Irish: Scairbh meaning "rough, shallow ford") is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland, on the main road west of Banbridge. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 320 people. It lies within the Banbridge District Council area.
Scarva is famous as the location of the "Sham Fight" Pageant on 13 July every year. The Pageant attracts many thousands of members of the Royal Black Preceptory, a group related to the Orange Order, who come to march and stage a symbolic (sham) re-enactment of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
In June 1690, a Williamite army of 30,000 men camped in the Scarva area for training before marching on to meet the forces of King James II at the Battle of the Boyne on 1 July 1690. Whilst training his army, King William is said to have camped under a magnificent Spanish chestnut tree. The tree still flourishes to this day and measures over 25 feet in circumference at the base. Each year, a Sham Fight takes place on the 13th of July on the old training ground .
Scarva, which used to be called 'Scarvagh', is a small village that lies on the very western boundary of County Down on the main road west from Banbridge
Near Scarva is the Danes’ Cast, which runs all the way to Poyntzpass. Once known to the locals as Gleann na muck duibhe (glen of the black pig), this rampart/wall is made mostly from earth, although it’s quite overgrown today. Also look out for Lisnagade Fort, ‘the fort of a hundred’, three large banks with ditches between, measuring 160ft across. During site clearing in 1832, a bronze cauldron, spear and arrowheads were found.
As had been said in 1690, around 30,000 of William of Orange’s army trained and camped in the Scarva area before marching south to face the troops of King James in the Battle of the Boyne on July 12 1690 that is why we find our self here each year to remember and celebrate these brave men on this historic site.
The village itself was founded by John Reilly in 1746, who obtained a charter for markets and fairs. He also built both a girls’ and boys' school and a meeting place for locals. At the Scarva Visitors Centre in the Village Green you can discover the history of the canal and its role in the British linen industry. It operated for more than 200 years until the growth of the railways led to its closure in 1947. Visitors can also walk from Poyntzpass to Terryhoogan Bridge.along the restored Newry Canal Towpath, one of Northern Ireland’s eight long-distance waymarked ways
On the edge of the village is Bullers (the locals call it ‘the big house’), this is were the officials of the RBP greet the marchers on this famous parade here is also a famous stud farm that has trained Queen Elizabeth’s horses in the past

William of Orange is said to have camped the Spanish chestnut tree in front of the Bullers House, which has survived to this day and grown to magnificent proportions – the circumference of the base of the tree measures 25 feet, to this daythe marchers parade past this famous spot

Sham Fight at Scarva, 13th July

One night as I lay on my bed I thought that I would try
To write a few loyal verses The Thirteenth of July.

In Scarva town, of high renown, That place I hold most dear,
The Grand Sir Knight of Israel’s camp Do meet there once a year.

To the memory of King William All loyal men do join,
To see King James defeated At the Battle of the Boyne.

A Sham Fight there takes place In memory of the day
That we freed from Popery And gained our liberty.
With Bands and Banners marching Through Buller’s fair Demesne,
And loyal sisters join with us, And each year do the same.

Here’s to Sir Knight Sir Norman Stronge That man of high renown,
Long may he lead the Grand Sir Knights Through Scarva’s loyal town.

With the Churches on the hill And the Orange Hall by the lane,
That leads the Grand Procession Through Scarva’s fine Demesne.

Now ye loyal Sons of Scarva, One thousand R.B.P.,
Remember your forefathers That fought for liberty.

You always make us welcome, Let it be wet or dry,
For the great historic Sham Fight On the Thirteenth of July.
May you always still remember, That place of noted fame,
So join with the Grand Sir Knights Through Buller’s fair Demesne.

With Banbridge town and Portadown And Tandragee so fair,
And Newry with their colours bright, Blow proudly in the air.

And Markethill, with a free will, Together with us join
In memory of that day King William crossed the Boyne.

Now I’ll bid farewell to Scarva men, All honour to them due,
To R.B.P. One Thousand, Of Gideon’s Chosen Few.

Now to the Buller family —I cannot pass them by —
The gates are opened wide to them For the Thirteenth of July.