On 16 June 2001, HRH The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, presented Stands of Colours to the 7th (Belfast) Battalion, the 8th (County Armagh and County Tyrone) and the 9th (County Antrim) Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment. The Battalions formed up in St Patrick’s Barracks and marched through Ballymena town to the Ballymena Showgrounds. The Battalions’ old Ulster Defence Regiment Colours were paraded for the last time before the new Royal Irish Regiment Stands of Colours were presented.