Scarva Sham Fight

Details

Location

Co. Down, Scarva

Year

1959

Date

Length

02min 01sec

Audio

silent

Format

16mm

colour

Source

National Museums Northern Ireland - Digitised as part of Unlocking Film Heritage

Courtesy

British Film Institute, National Museums NI, Tourism NI

Rights Holder

National Museums NI, Northern Ireland Tourist Board

It is illegal to download, copy, print or otherwise utilise in any other form this material, without written consent from the copyright holder.

Description

On the 13th of July, Scarva – a small town in County Down – is the scene of the “Sham Fight”. As can be seen, the event is hugely popular, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. This film shows various stages of the re-enactment, the participants playing their part with gusto. Groups of men march and ride amidst the tightly-packed crowd and trade (blank) gunfire shots.

This film was digitised as part of the BFI's Unlocking Film Heritage project.

Notes

This the 'Sham Fight' held every year on the 13th July and organised by the Royal Black Institution (also known as the Black Preceptory). The Black Preceptory is a Protestant fraternal society related to the Orange Order. The footage depicts quite a humourous battle reconstruction. This 'sham' sword fight shares features with other folk re-enactments such as the Morris Dance - a choreographed English folk dance.  

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