Latest news with #TwelfthOfJuly
Irish Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Twelfth of July: ‘We're not into the bonfires, but the parades are different. Today is a family day'
Umbrellas decorated with Union Flags shielded babies and the elderly from the sun in a Co Antrim town during a scorching Twelfth of July parade on Saturday. Thousands of people lined the route in Glengormley to watch the visiting Black Skull Flute Band from Glasgow lead the Carntall Orange Order lodge, accompanied by dozens of bands. The town, on the outskirts of north Belfast, was one of 19 venues across Northern Ireland chosen to host the annual parades, which mark the victory of Protestant William III over Catholic James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Around 300 loyalist bonfires were lit before the 'Twelfth' – most on the eve of the parades – and while most passed off without incident, a pyre on which an effigy of an immigrant boat was burned is being treated as a hate crime by police . READ MORE A controversial bonfire in south Belfast, which has asbestos on the site and is close to an electricity substation which powers the city's two main hospitals, was also lit despite appeals by the Stormont Environment Minister. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it dealt with a 'challenging' situation on Friday evening and one firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim. A woman watching the Glengormley parade on Saturday said the 'boat incident' at the bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, had 'really annoyed her'. 'My grandson is mixed race, born and reared in Northern Ireland, and what happened in Moygashel scared me … of course it was racist,' Karen Buchanan said. Marchers in Belfast take part in the traditional Twelfth commemorations. Photograph: Mark Marlow/PA 'My grandson is 27, works in a law firm and still gets abuse. It's a small minority behind this, they know nothing. 'They don't know about our own culture, they don't know what we're really about.' Wearing a red, white and blue garland around her neck, Ms Buchanan's daughter, Ashley Crosby, said the annual Twelfth parade was an important event for her family. 'We never miss it. Every year we come and this year it's on our doorstep,' she said. A member of a flute band prepares to take part in the annual Twelfth of July parade. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Calls were made for increased 'tolerance' by an Orange Order leader on Saturday. The order's grand secretary, Mervyn Gibson, told crowds gathered in Keady, Co Armagh, following the July 12th parades, that they belonged to a to a 'vibrant and diverse community proud of our heritage, culture and British citizenship'. The senior Orangeman and Presbyterian minister urged them to 'better promote these truths'. An Orangeman prepares to take part in the annual Twelfth of July parade in Belfast. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty 'And I believe this generation and the next are up for this challenge. We must seek to create understanding, education, tolerance and mutual respect,' he said. Around 30 parades due to take place were categorised as sensitive by the Northern Ireland Parades Commission. An Orange Order feeder parade passed the nationalist Ardoyne shops in north Belfast without incident on Saturday. Members of a flute band chat in front of a mural of the band The Beastie Boys as they prepare to take part in a Twelfth of July parade in Belfast. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty The interface – the shops are close to the unionist Twaddell area – became a flashpoint for some of the worst sectarian summer violence until a deal was brokered between the two communities in 2016. It has remained peaceful since then. On Sunday, a parade will return past the Ardoyne shops, but will be restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher appealed for mutual respect at the marking of events. 'Our officers will be on the ground throughout the weekend, working in partnership with community leaders, event organisers and local representatives to support lawful, peaceful and family-friendly events,' he said. 'However, where necessary we will take firm and proportionate action to keep people safe.' Yvonne McDonnell from Ballinderry attends the Twelfth of July celebrations in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Photograph: Jonathan McCambridge/PA At the Glengormley parade, Lisa Walter joined her daughter Grace to watch the marching bands. They live across the road and brought their fold-up deck chairs. 'It's very important for us. It's our culture. You see people who you haven't seen since this time last year,' Mrs Walter said. 'We've never gone to the bonfires – too much drinking and yahooing. You're either into them or you're not. But the parades are different. Today is a family day.' People take part in a Twelfth of July parade in Belfast. Photograph: Mark Marlow/PA
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Twelfth of July: Thousands join Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland
Tens of thousands of people joined Twelfth of July celebrations across Northern Ireland, braving scorching temperatures for the traditional Orange Order parades. Crowds lined the streets in cities, towns and villages as the region marked the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II. The parades typically consist of Orange lodges accompanied by marching bands, drawing support from spectators along their routes. When the parades reach demonstration fields, a religious service is observed and speeches delivered before the march home. This year's festivities, spread across 19 main locations, also featured calls for unionist political parties to collaborate. This year's celebrations took place with temperatures above 25C right across Northern Ireland. DUP leader Gavin Robinson addressed the parade in Belfast, while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly delivered a speech at the Lisburn parade. Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann spoke at the parade in Carnlough, Co Antrim. Orange Order deputy grand master Harold Henning told the parade in Maghera, Co Londonderry, that unionist political parties had to work together. He said: 'The leadership of this institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government. 'Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged – more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self -interest. 'Let's get that message out to our politicians – as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism.' One of the largest parades took place in Keady, Co Armagh, where Orange Order grand secretary Mervyn Gibson spoke about the strengths of the union. He said: 'We need to promote the union at every opportunity – a union that has stood the test of time and continues to offer its citizens stability, opportunity, and purpose. 'At its heart, the United Kingdom is more than just a political entity. 'It is a partnership of four nations England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – each with its own identity, traditions, and strengths. 'Let us concentrate on building and promoting this union, which a generation defended during the Troubles against the murderous, cowardly terrorist campaign of republicans.' On Saturday morning, an Orange Order feeder parade passed the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast without incident. On Sunday, a return parade will return past the shops, but will be restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will take place on Monday. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James. The Twelfth celebrations come after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with a 'challenging' situation and one firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Andrew Muir said he was 'very disappointed' that a controversial bonfire in south Belfast was lit despite warnings of asbestos on the site. Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, about 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission. Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy. More than 4,000 police officers and police staff are working on July 12. On the 11th night, about 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires. The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year. The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still. This is because of falling police numbers and the resulting increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tens of thousands take part in Twelfth celebrations in scorching temperatures
Tens of thousands of people have been taking part in Twelfth of July celebrations in scorching temperatures throughout Northern Ireland. Crowds lined the streets in cities, towns and villages across the region for the traditional Orange Order parades. This year's events have heard calls for unionist political parties to work together. The festivities have been spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II. The parades consist of Orange lodges accompanied by marching bands and supported by spectators along the routes. When the parades reach demonstration fields, a religious service is observed and speeches delivered before the march home. This year's celebrations took place with temperatures above 25C right across Northern Ireland. DUP leader Gavin Robinson addressed the parade in Belfast, while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly delivered a speech at the Lisburn parade. Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann spoke at the parade in Carnlough, Co Antrim. Orange Order deputy grand master Harold Henning told the parade in Maghera, Co Londonderry, that unionist political parties had to work together. He said: 'The leadership of this institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government. 'Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged – more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self -interest. 'Let's get that message out to our politicians – as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism.' One of the largest parades took place in Keady, Co Armagh, where Orange Order grand secretary Mervyn Gibson spoke about the strengths of the union. He said: 'We need to promote the union at every opportunity – a union that has stood the test of time and continues to offer its citizens stability, opportunity, and purpose. 'At its heart, the United Kingdom is more than just a political entity. 'It is a partnership of four nations England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – each with its own identity, traditions, and strengths. 'Let us concentrate on building and promoting this union which a generation defended during the Troubles against the murderous, cowardly terrorist campaign of republicans.' On Saturday morning, an Orange Order feeder parade passed the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast without incident. On Sunday, a return parade will return past the shops – but will be restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will take place on Monday. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James. The Twelfth celebrations come after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with a 'challenging' situation and one firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Andrew Muir said he was 'very disappointed' that a controversial bonfire in south Belfast was lit despite warnings of asbestos on the site. Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, about 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission. Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy. More than 4,000 police officers and police staff are working on July 12. On the 11th night, about 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires. The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year. The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still. This is because of falling police numbers and the resulting increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events.
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
In pictures: The Twelfth of July celebrations
Crowds have lined the streets of cities, towns and villages all over Northern Ireland on Saturday to attend Twelfth of July 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 heritage, and comes after bonfires were lit across Northern Ireland on the Eleventh a look at some of the best pictures from the celebrations.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Twelfth of July parades begin across Northern Ireland
Twelfth of July celebrations have begun across Northern Ireland. Tens of thousands are taking to the streets across the region for the traditional Orange Order parades. The festivities will be spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II. An Orange Order feeder parade passed the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast without incident on Saturday. DUP leader Gavin Robinson will address the parade in Belfast while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will deliver a speech at the Lisburn parade. The Twelfth celebrations come after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with a 'challenging' situation and one firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Andrew Muir said he was 'very disappointed' that a controversial bonfire in south Belfast was lit despite warnings of asbestos on the site. Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, about 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission. Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy. More than 4,000 police officers and police staff will be working on July 12. On the 11th night, about 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires. The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year. The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still. This is because of falling police numbers and the resulting increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has urged mutual respect in the marking of events. He said: 'Our officers will be on the ground throughout the weekend, working in partnership with community leaders, event organisers, and local representatives to support lawful, peaceful and family-friendly events. However where necessary, we will take firm and proportionate action to keep people safe. 'Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone.' On Sunday an Orange Order parade will return past the Ardoyne shops but will be restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. It is a return parade at the former flashpoint which traditionally took place on the evening of July 12, often resulting in violent scenes. Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh will take place on Monday. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James.
