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BreakingNews.ie
22-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
OPW bans green and orange colours from Battle of the Boyne site
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has banned tour guides from wearing green or orange clothing at the site in Meath where the Protestant King William III defeated the Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne. The location is of particular significance to unionists, as William's victory in 1690 established Protestant dominance in Ireland and is commemorated by the Orange Order with a series of marches on July 12th each year. Advertisement The rule prohibiting guides from wearing green or orange at the Battle of the Boyne visitor centre is not contained in the official OPW Guide Handbook, which is supplied to guides and information officers at heritage sites. Instead, the directive is being communicated directly to new guides by a supervisor at the visitor centre after they have been hired, according to emails released under freedom of information laws. The instruction, which is believed to be aimed at respecting the sensitivities of both unionist and nationalist visitors, is not the only unusual dress-code directive issued by the OPW to its guides. A section of the handbook dealing with clothing and uniform requirements specifies that 'nudity is prohibited at all sites'. Asked why it was considered necessary to include this in its dress code for new tour guides, the OPW declined to comment. Advertisement The Battle of the Boyne visitor centre was developed following the allocation of €15 million of government funding in 2005. Last year, a further €10 million was provided for the centre under the Shared Island initiative. The site was famously chosen as the venue for Ian Paisley's first official meeting as Stormont's first minister with Bertie Ahern in 2007. The then-Taoiseach presented the DUP leader with a musket used in the Battle of the Boyne. Ireland Irish Prison Service urged for halt of extra court... Read More An email titled 'Welcome aboard' sent by a supervisor to a newly hired seasonal guide last year contained details of the dress code for staff at the visitor centre. It prohibits items including army jackets and clothes that feature 'slogans, badges or emblems'. The email stated that 'green and orange are not permitted on site'. The OPW provides an annual allowance for guides where colour-coded clothing is mandated by local management. This is payable at a rate of €210 for permanent guides, and €100 for seasonal workers. The OPW declined to comment when asked about the prohibition of green and orange clothing at the Battle of the Boyne site.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tens of thousands attend Scarva parade and Sham Fight
About 100,000 people have turned out for the annual Royal Black parade and Sham Fight in Scarva - one of the organisation's biggest events to than 90 Royal Black Institution preceptories and marching bands took part in the traditional procession through the County Down of the highlights of the day is the traditional Sham Fight between period actors dressed as King William III and King James II at the Scarva Demesne.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
The Twelfth: Thousands to attend NI's Orange Order parades
Crowds will to line the streets of cities, towns and villages all over Northern Ireland on Saturday to attend Twelfth of July parades. Thousands of Orange Order members take part in the annual marches to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in event is also a celebration of Protestant traditions and Ulster-Scots of local Orange lodges will be joined on parade by visiting lodges from Scotland and further afield. They will be accompanied by marching bands and supported by tens of thousands of spectators, many of whom dress up in colourful costume for the occasion. This year's events are concentrated at 18 locations, with members travelling to converge with neighbouring lodges at the nearest host venue. This year marks the 335th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, which took place outside Drogheda in what is now the Republic of Ireland. The battle ended in victory for the Protestant King William III over his Catholic father-in-law, the deposed King James II. On Friday night, hundreds of bonfires were lit to mark Eleventh Night - a tradition observed by many unionist communities on the eve of the bonfires commemorate the actions of King William III's supporters in 1690, who lit fires across the countryside to welcome and guide him to the battle site. Most Eleventh Night bonfires pass without incident, but some are controversial due to their height or location, or because they contain symbols considered year a bonfire in south Belfast caused concern because of the presence of asbestos on the site, and the fact it was close to an electricity substation which supplies power to two nearby bonfire, between the Donegall Road and the Westlink, was lit on Friday night after police confirmed they would not assist in removing it.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
12 July: Where are the parades this year?
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend parades across Northern Ireland on Saturday as the annual Twelfth of July commemorations take place. The event memorialises the Protestant King William III's victory over the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in July is the biggest day in the Orange Order's marching calendar and this year - the 335th anniversary of the battle - is currently forecast to be a very warm day. The main parades will be held in 18 venues across all six counties, with villages, towns and cities taking their turn to host their neighbouring lodge members. 12 July weather forecast With forecasters predicting a heatwave this weekend, it is likely to be a very warm Twelfth of July, with temperatures possibly reaching over warmest Twelfth on record was in Belfast in 1983 when the thermometer hit second hottest Twelfth of July was at Thomastown, County Fermanagh, in 2013 with a top temperature of 29.1C. County Antrim - Belfast Parade Belfast hosts Northern Ireland's longest Twelfth parade - a six-mile route which will start from Belfast Orange Hall, Carlisle Circus, at 10:00 BST on marchers will first make their way to Belfast City Hall via Clifton Street, Donegall Street, Royal Avenue, and Donegall they reach the grounds of the city hall, a short military remembrance service will take place and a wreath for the war dead will be laid at the parade then moves south through the city via Bedford Street, the Dublin Road, Lisburn Road and Malone Road until it reaches its destination at Barnett's total of 77 bands, including some from Scotland, will participate in the parade. Ballymena Although many towns and villages must wait their turn to host a major Twelfth demonstration, Ballymena is the only place outside Belfast to hold an annual year's parade sets off from Wakehurst Road, Ballymena, at 12:30 BST and is due to arrive at the at the People's Park for the traditional speeches at 14:30 BST.A new junior girls' lodge - the Daughters of Ferniskey - will be making their Twelfth debut during the march. Carnlough The seaside village of Carnlough will host 11 local lodges and nine bands on Saturday with a parade starting from Bay Road at 12:00 BST. Marchers will make their way to the demonstration field near St Patrick's Church. For younger spectators there will be bouncy castles and funfair-style attractions in the afternoon, with the return parade setting off at about 16:00 BST. Cullybackey The County Antrim village's award-winning pipe band will feature at this year's parade, alongside former world champions the McNeillstown Pipe Band and sets off from Ard Na Main at 12:30 BST, heading for the Cullybackey Community Playing Fields. A large number of Lambeg drummers - playing one of the biggest and loudest percussion instruments musicians can carry - will stage a display in the afternoon, Glengormley About 3,000 people are expected to take part in the Glengormley parade, including members from 66 lodges and almost 40 bands. The march begins at 11:00 BST at Jubilee Way, eventually making its way towards V36 Park beside the Valley Leisure Centre for a religious service and speeches. A family-friendly event has been organised, with funfair rides, facepainting and other children's entertainment in the park on Saturday afternoon. Lisburn Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will be the guest speaker at the Lisburn demonstration on Saturday afternoon. The organisers said the main field at the Brambles will be "transformed into a festive hub" with food stalls, family-friendly entertainment and bouncy castles. The parade begins from Wallace Park at 11:30 BST with Orange Order members from 65 lodges expected to participate. Rasharkin The Orange Order's county grand master of Antrim will address spectators at the demonstration field at the Turnpike, following a parade through Rasharkin will set out from Finvoy Road at 13:00 BST, with 43 lodges and 33 bands due to take part. Food vendors and "attractions for all ages" will be set up in the field. County Armagh - Keady parade County Armagh is the birthplace of the Orange Order and the county is traditionally home to the "largest Orange gathering in the world each 12th of July".This year, the town of Keady will host the event for the first time in 13 years and an anticipated 5,000 Orangemen will take part in the march begins at 10:30 BST at Keady District Hall, with platform proceedings at the field in the early afternoon, led by Armagh's county grand master. County Down - Dromara Highland dancers from Finnis will be among the entertainers in the village of Dromara as it plays host to about 2,500 will depart from Dromara Orange Hall at 11:30 BST, before leading the main parade from an assembly point on the Banbridge Road at noon. They will walk towards the demonstration field, opposite Dromara Football Club, where children's entertainment and a "charming artisan village" will be set up. Dundonald Saturday's event will be the first time in more than half a century that Dundonald has hosted a major Twelfth demonstration. It last hosted neighbouring north County Down lodges in 1967, when the old Polo Fields was the venue for the main gathering. The site is now used by Dundonald High School and the order said it was "delighted" that governors gave permission to hold Saturday's events in the school's grounds. The march, featuring 39 lodges and 28 bands, sets off from Dundonald High School at 12:15 BST, returning to the same site for speeches by about 14:00 BST. Dundrum More than 3,000 Orange Order members are expected to march through the village, leaving from the Belfast Road at noon towards the field at Ballyloughlin Road. They will be accompanied by 70 bands and organisers are encouraging local businesses to remain open to "benefit from the large crowd". Kilkeel A complimentary picnic served at the foot of the Mourne Mountains is on offer for those attending the Twelfth commemorations in food will be "generously provided by the lodges" according to the Orange Standard, which says more than 3,000 spectators are expected to line the streets. Marchers will assemble at Kilkeel Orange Hall for a 1.5 mile parade on the outskirts of Kilkeel, finishing at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Manse Road. County Fermanagh - Kesh parade The Grand Master of the Orange Order, Edward Stevenson, will spend his first Twelfth in County Fermanagh in the lakeside village of than 90 lodges will take part in the demonstration, some of them from neighbouring counties on the other side of the Irish border. The parade, featuring more than 70 bands, begins at noon on the Enniskillen Road and marches to Valley Park where children's entertainment will be available all day. County Londonderry - Coleraine parade Orange Order lodges from County Londonderry and County Donegal will gather in Coleraine for this year's Twelfth. An initial march sets out from Union Street at 09:30 BST on Saturday but the main parade begins from Shuttle Hill at will pause to the salute the town's war memorial in the Diamond before making their way to the demonstration field behind Coleraine Leisure Centre. Maghera The town of Maghera will welcome more than 50 lodges to its streets on Saturday - its first time hosting the demonstration since parade starts at noon, leaving from the junction of Station Road and Crew will make their way to the demonstration field provided by Maghera Presbyterian Church for speeches at 14:00 BST. County Tyrone - Augher parade Lodges from all over the Clogher Valley will converge on the village of Augher on Saturday for a "celebration of Orange heritage and community spirit". Organisers said the participation of junior lodges highlights the "intergenerational strength" of the order in the area. The parade begins on the Favour Royal Road at 12:15 BST, with a religious service in the field after 13:00 BST, followed by children's entertainment. Coagh The small village of Coagh will be home to the biggest Twelfth demonstration in County Tyrone on Saturday. About 70 lodges and 50 bands will set off from Ruskey Road at 12:30 BST, marching to the demonstration field at Drumconvis Road. After missing out on its turn to host the demonstration during the Covid pandemic, this is Coagh's first Twelfth demonstration in almost a decade. Sixmilecross About 60 lodges and bands are expected to parade through the village of Sixmilecross, which is hosting Orange Order members from north and west Tyrone. At 12:30 BST they will march from a field opposite Kerr Villas towards the demonstration field on the Tirooney Road. The organisers said the event will "showcase the rich tapestry of Ulster-Scots and Ulster-British connections with define the spirit and history of our Orange family".
BBC News
02-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
King Billy statue in Hull to undergo restoration work
A Hull landmark is to undergo restoration following major golden statute of King William III on his horse has stood in the city's Market Place since on preserving it will take place after the rebuilding of the nearby A63 finishes next City Council said the statue will be fenced off this week while a survey is carried out to assess its condition. Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: "King Billy is one of Hull's most treasured monuments, and we are committed to preserving it for future generations. "This condition survey is the first step in a wider plan to restore the statue with the care and respect it deserves."The work is part of a five-year plan by the council to improve bridges, statues, monuments and projects include cleaning the city's war memorial on Ferensway and restoring the fountains on Park Avenue and Westbourne to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
