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seasonal · Tuesday 14 July 2026 · Various 
Scarva Sham Fight 2026
At Scarva Demesne · Scarva, Co. Armagh
At Scarva Demesne · Scarva, Co. Armagh
Every July, the small Co. Armagh village of Scarva draws one of the largest crowds anywhere on the island. The Scarva Sham Fight - the Royal Black Institution’s annual gathering at Scarva Demesne - brings upwards of 100,000 people to a village that in ordinary weeks you could walk end to end in five minutes. It is a genuinely unusual spectacle: costumed actors in period dress stage a re-enactment of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne between the forces of King William III and King James II, framed by a large religious service and preceded by a procession of some 90 preceptories and their accompanying bands. In 2026 the event moves from its normal 13 July date to Tuesday 14 July, because the Twelfth falls on a Sunday.
The day follows a clear sequence. Around 4,000 members of the Royal Black Institution assemble on the Gilford Road, where the main procession sets off at approximately 11.15am and moves through the village to the Demesne. Flute bands, pipe bands, accordion bands and brass bands accompany the march - there can be as many as 90 bands on the day, each with its own distinct sound and livery. The Sham Fight itself takes place at approximately 1.30pm inside the Demesne grounds: two companies of costumed actors, one representing King William’s forces and one King James’s, stage the combat with considerable flair. A religious service begins at 2pm after the re-enactment. The surrounding village fills with stalls, families, and visitors from across Northern Ireland and beyond. It is an event with deep roots - Scarva’s own history stretches back to 1746 and the construction of the Newry Canal, and the village has been drawing crowds on the 13th (or 14th) July for well over a century.
Scarva sits on the B3 between Portadown and Banbridge, alongside the historic Newry Canal. By car from Armagh city, it is roughly 25 minutes north on the B77 and B3. Expect severe road closures and gridlock for several miles around the village from mid-morning onwards - traffic management is substantial but the volume of visitors is extraordinary. Translink typically operates extra bus services on the day from Portadown and Banbridge, and these are strongly recommended over driving. Check the Translink website in advance for the 2026 timetable and book early, as services fill quickly.
Armagh city itself is well worth a visit before or after - the Armagh Public Library, the two St Patrick’s Cathedrals on their rival hills, and the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium all reward a few hours. There is more to see in Armagh and across Co. Armagh.
Heading to Scarva Demesne in Armagh? Armagh has plenty more to see. Read the Armagh area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.