Latest news with #TheTwelfth
Belfast Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
GB News Twelfth coverage chaos as ‘gutted' historian Dr Gavin Hughes pulls out following insect bite
GB News' live coverage of this year's Twelfth celebrations has been thrown into chaos after resident historical expert and Dame Arlene Foster's right hand man for the broadcast has been forced to pull out at the last minute. Dr Gavin Hughes has been a regular alongside the former First Minister to lend his expert knowledge and anecdotes and was due to contribute to Saturday's coverage of parades in NI. However the academic has suffered a 'misadventure' after being bitten by an insect during a 'field research incident' which triggered a bad allergic reaction that has forced him to reluctantly vacate his seat for the live broadcast set to come from a sun-kissed Coleraine. 'Would you believe it, I've had a misadventure,' Dr Hughes told the Belfast Telegraph. 'Unfortunately I won't be able to do the broadcast and I'm absolutely gutted. 'I was out looking at 1798 farmsteads and churches in County Down (as you do), and got really badly bitten by something. I've now had an extreme allergic reaction. 'One very swollen arm and call to local GP later, I've just started a course of 'sun-sensitive' antibiotics and been told by the doctor in no uncertain terms to rest, avoid using the arm too much and stay inside. 'The perils of archaeological field-research!' The Director of the Irish Conflict Archaeology Network at the Trinity Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies in Trinity College Dublin was due to accompany Dame Arlene to provide insights into the pageantry. Actor Charlie Lawson will also help cover the spectacle with reporter Dougie Beattie taking to the streets to mingle with spectators. Dr Hughes has been a key feature of the GB News coverage since the broadcaster stepped in to fill the void left when BBC NI pulled out of screening The Twelfth live in 2022. Earlier this week Dame Arlene said she was looking forward to another year of twelfth coverage, posting on X: 'This year @GBNEWS will be bringing you The Twelfth live from Coleraine with all the usual gang. See you then.' GB News has been contacted for comment. 'Hate incident' Co Tyrone bonfire topped with migrant effigy lit At this stage it's unclear whether it will be able to find a replacement for Dr Hughes, who has spent several weeks prepping for the big day. Chief Executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency, Ian Crozier, is also due to take part in the programme due to air between 10am-noon on Saturday. And this year the broadcaster is extending its focus on the day with a new historical documentary – co-produced by the TV network and Féinics Productions – exploring the untold story of how Ulster-Scots helped to shape early America. Architects of America: Foundations of Freedom, funded by Northern Ireland Screen's Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, will air at midnight on Saturday 12 July. 'The documentary explores Colonial Ulster-Scots life and how ordinary men and women from Ulster arrived in a new world and built their future: from spinning wheels in the linen trade, to flax farming and land cultivation, to the rise of ironworks and maritime commerce - including the shadow world of covert trade,' the broadcaster previously announced. 'These industries and individuals laid the groundwork for revolution. 'Filmed across key locations in Ireland and the United States, this special news programme builds on previous coverage of the Glorious Revolution and The Great Migration, charting the rise of the Great Awakening in 18th-century America - a new era of ideals fuelled by the desire for economic, cultural, and religious freedom.'
Belfast Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
Met Office reveals prediction for weather on the Twelfth
Marchers and spectators attending Twelfth events can expect warm weather with a lingering possibility of rain, according to the Met Office. The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has released full details for all parades taking place on the Twelfth of July this year across NI. Thousands of people will take part in parades across Northern Ireland with many tens of thousands more spectating. Bands and marchers will take to the streets at 18 locations across all six of Northern Ireland's counties to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. This year Dundonald will host a Twelfth demonstration for the first time in more than 50 years. It will join 18 other venues across Northern Ireland including Belfast, Ballymena, Kesh, Coleraine, Keady Coagh, Sixmilecross, Augher, Dromara, Dundrum, Kilkeel, Cullybackey, Rasharkin, Carnlough, Lisburn, Glengormley and Maghera. The Twelfth demonstrations in Northern Ireland will follow the traditional Rossnowlagh parade held in Co Donegal on the preceding weekend on Saturday 5 July. Looking to The Twelfth, Senior Operational Meteorologist at the Met Office, Becky Mitchell, said: 'At the moment, Saturday is most likely to be dry, warm and sunny with light winds. 'Temperatures are most likely to be in the low to mid 20s. 'However there is currently a small chance that rain may start to move in from the west towards the end of the day.' In terms of the overall forecast for the week, Ms Mitchell said: 'This coming week is expected to be largely dry, and increasingly sunny and warm across Northern Ireland. 'Monday will be dry and windy with plenty of sunny spells. The wind will make it feel rather cool with a top temperature of 19 Celsius. 'Tuesday and Wednesday may turn a little cloudier with a few spots of light rain, and temperatures slowly climbing into the low 20s. 'Thursday, Friday and Saturday are expected to be dry and sunny as high pressure builds in. Temperatures are currently forecast to reach to low 20s in the sunshine, possibly getting close to the mid 20s for the start of the weekend. 'Sunday is currently uncertain – dry and sunny weather may hang on, or we may start to see rain push in from the west.'
Belfast Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Dame Arlene Foster returns to front GB News coverage of The Twelfth
Last year former Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson teamed up with Ms Foster for coverage from Carrickfergus. Commentators also included Trinity College Dublin historian Dr Gavin Hughes along with GB presenter Dougie Beattie. Posting on X, Ms Foster said: 'One week to go until the big day! 'This year @GBNEWS will be bringing you The Twelfth live from Coleraine with all the usual gang. See you then.' The former DUP leader moved into broadcasting after resigning her Assembly seat in October 2021, becoming a presenter on GB News for a period. She was given her own programme – The Briefing with Arlene Foster – which was broadcast on Fridays and regularly appeared on the channel's Sunday political magazine show The Political Correction. Last month, the former Stormont First Minister made her Sky News debut on Press Review. The programme previews the following day's newspapers every evening ahead of their publication the following morning. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Battle of the Boyne took place in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin and saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown. Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark William's victory and other key dates in Protestant, unionist, loyalist (PUL) culture. Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth. For the fourth year running, GB News are on the ground to cover the parade. Bands and marchers will take to the streets at 18 locations across all six of Northern Ireland's counties to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. This year Dundonald will host a Twelfth demonstration for the first time in more than 50 years. It will join 18 other venues across Northern Ireland including Belfast, Ballymena, Kesh, Coleraine, Keady Coagh, Sixmilecross, Augher, Dromara, Dundrum, Kilkeel, Cullybackey, Rasharkin, Carnlough, Lisburn, Glengormley and Maghera. The Twelfth demonstrations in Northern Ireland will follow the traditional Rossnowlagh parade held in Co Donegal which took place on Saturday.
