Thousands of Unionists (those who want Northern Ireland to remain part of Britain) gathered in the streets of Belfast and other Northern Irish towns yesterday to watch the annual Orange Order parade. This year's parade marks the 318th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, when King William III and his Williamites defeated the Catholic (and supporter of undemocratic Absololute Monarchy, which is also the reason why his father Charles I was beheaded in 1649) King James II and his army.
William III (William of Orange) was seen as a hero amongst the Protestants, and he helped to created the democratic Constitutional Monarchy which Britain's enjoys today.
The Orange Order Parade is Britain's second-largest carnival, after London's Notting Hill Carnival.
In Coleraine, in the northwest of Northern Ireland, the gathered crowd heard calls for the symbols of state to be cherished and an end to "attacks on the Protestant sense of Britishness".
Orange Order parades are much more peaceful since the Civil War between the British and Irish republicans effectively ended in 1998.
Orange Order on parade across NI
Proud to be British: Thousands of Northern Ireland's Unionists turned out to watch the Orangemen parade through Belfast
Thousands of Orangemen and supporters have been attending the annual Twelfth of July parades in Northern Ireland.
The parades mark the 318th anniversary of the battle of the Boyne in which William of Orange defeated King James.
The main demonstrations were at 18 venues, with Belfast attracting the most participants and spectators.
The Belfast parade left Carlisle Circus at 1000 BST, marching to City Hall for a wreath-laying ceremony and then to the field at Barnett Demesne.
There the gathering has been hearing the traditional platform pledges of loyalty to the Protestant faith, the crown and to the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Outside of Belfast, one of the day's largest parades took place in Omagh, where more than 3,000 Orangemen and bandsmen marched through the town.
Sixty lodges from the six districts of west Tyrone took part, along with lodges from Larkhill and Airth in Scotland.
The Battle of the Boyne, in 1690, was a victory for the Protestant William III against the Catholic, and supporter of Absolute Monarchy, James II.
In County Armagh, more than 5,000 Orangemen marched through Tandragee, while tens of thousands of spectators enjoyed the sounds of 100 Lambeg drums.
The largest demonstration in the North West took place in Coleraine, where the gathering heard calls for the symbols of state to be cherished and an end to "attacks on the Protestant sense of Britishness".
For the first time in 16 years, more than 5,000 bandsmen and Orangemen paraded through Dromara, County Down.
The Independent Loyal Orange Institution, which split from the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1903, held its demonstration in Portglenone, County Antrim.
An alternative way of celebrating the Battle of the Boyne took place at the Irish president's state residence in Dublin where President McAleese held her annual garden party. More than 350 guests from all over Ireland were attending.
The entertainment included performances by Irish army pipers, the Band of the King's Division of the British army and the Ballynafeigh School of Irish Dancing.
For those who prefer shopping to marching, the number of large retail units opening on the Twelfth has grown considerably this year. Supermarkets, including many Tesco and Asda branches, have remained open for the first time on the Twelfth.
The police have reminded drivers to take extra care on the roads over the holiday weekend.
A police spokesman said: "Last year (2007) 112 people lost their lives on the roads in Northern Ireland. While that's 14 less than in 2006, and the lowest figure recorded in 60 years, it still remains that many of these deaths and serious injuries could have been avoided.
"Our officers will be looking out for motorists who are driving too fast, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and driving while using a mobile phone."
318th Anniversary Battle of the Boyne Celebrations
VENUE - DISTRICT LODGES ATTENDING
Ballyclare: Cloughfern, Larne, Sixmilewater, Antrim, Carnmoney, Killead, Staffordstown, Carrickfergus & Randalstown.
Derriaghy: Glenavy, Aghalee, Lisburn, Magheragall, Ballinderry, Derriaghy & Hillsborough.
Cullybackey: Portglenone, Ahoghill & Cullybackey.
Ballymena: Ballymena District.
Broughshane: Braid District.
Rasharkin: Ballycastle, Bushmills, Rasharkin, Cloughmills & Ballymoney.
Tandragee: Portadown, Richhill, Loughgall, Tandragee, Armagh, Lurgan, Killylea, Keady, Newtownhamilton, Markethill & Bessbrook.
Barnett Demesne Belfast: Districts - No
Dromara: Lower Iveagh, Rathfriland, Banbridge, Lower Iveagh West, Newry, Loughbrickland, Gilford and Bann Valley.
Portavogie: Newtownards, Upper Ards, Holywood, Bangor.
Kilkeel: Mourne District.
Newcastle: Lecale, Saintfield, Castlewellan, Comber and Ballynahinch.
Kesh: Newtownbutler, Lisbellaw, Brookeborough, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen, Ballinamallard, Kinawley, Glenawley, Lisnarick, Pettigo, Magherabuoy, Churchhill, Maguiresbridge, Garrison & Tempo.
Maghera: Castledawson, Magherafelt, Garvagh, Kilrea, Tamlaght O'Crilly, Ballyronan, Tobermore & Moneymore. Coleraine Limavady, Macosquin, Coleraine, and City of Londonderry Grand Lodge, comprising five Districts.
Benburb: Pomeroy, Killyman, Stewartstown, Cookstown, Castlecaulfield, Benburb & Coagh.
Omagh: Sixmilecross, Fintona, Omagh, Newtownstewart, Killen & Strabane. Aughnacloy Annahoe & Fivemiletown.
Source: Orange Order
*************************************************
Twelfth in pictures
Bonfires were lit across Northern Ireland on the "11th night" ahead of the 12 July parades.
Each year on 12 July, Protestant Orangemen march to commemorate William of Orange's 1690 Battle of the Boyne victory over Catholic King James II.
The Orangemen's march took them past City Hall in Belfast where they would lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.
No drums sounded as the parade arrived at City Hall, where there was a pause for remembrance at the Cenotaph.
Many spectators dressed up especially for the occasion, enjoying the mild weather.
Family members of all ages came out to take part in the celebrations on the streets
The parade went along the city's Royal Avenue after leaving Carlisle Circus.
An Orange Order band member receives some first-aid spray after injuring himself playing the drums during a parade in Belfast.
Up to half a million people gathered along the route of the parade through Belfast, as marchers made their way towards demonstrations to hear speeches from Orange Order leaders.
news.bbc.co.uk
William III (William of Orange) was seen as a hero amongst the Protestants, and he helped to created the democratic Constitutional Monarchy which Britain's enjoys today.
The Orange Order Parade is Britain's second-largest carnival, after London's Notting Hill Carnival.
In Coleraine, in the northwest of Northern Ireland, the gathered crowd heard calls for the symbols of state to be cherished and an end to "attacks on the Protestant sense of Britishness".
Orange Order parades are much more peaceful since the Civil War between the British and Irish republicans effectively ended in 1998.
Orange Order on parade across NI
Proud to be British: Thousands of Northern Ireland's Unionists turned out to watch the Orangemen parade through Belfast
Thousands of Orangemen and supporters have been attending the annual Twelfth of July parades in Northern Ireland.
The parades mark the 318th anniversary of the battle of the Boyne in which William of Orange defeated King James.
The main demonstrations were at 18 venues, with Belfast attracting the most participants and spectators.
The Belfast parade left Carlisle Circus at 1000 BST, marching to City Hall for a wreath-laying ceremony and then to the field at Barnett Demesne.
There the gathering has been hearing the traditional platform pledges of loyalty to the Protestant faith, the crown and to the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Outside of Belfast, one of the day's largest parades took place in Omagh, where more than 3,000 Orangemen and bandsmen marched through the town.
Sixty lodges from the six districts of west Tyrone took part, along with lodges from Larkhill and Airth in Scotland.
The Battle of the Boyne, in 1690, was a victory for the Protestant William III against the Catholic, and supporter of Absolute Monarchy, James II.
In County Armagh, more than 5,000 Orangemen marched through Tandragee, while tens of thousands of spectators enjoyed the sounds of 100 Lambeg drums.
The largest demonstration in the North West took place in Coleraine, where the gathering heard calls for the symbols of state to be cherished and an end to "attacks on the Protestant sense of Britishness".
For the first time in 16 years, more than 5,000 bandsmen and Orangemen paraded through Dromara, County Down.
The Independent Loyal Orange Institution, which split from the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1903, held its demonstration in Portglenone, County Antrim.
An alternative way of celebrating the Battle of the Boyne took place at the Irish president's state residence in Dublin where President McAleese held her annual garden party. More than 350 guests from all over Ireland were attending.
The entertainment included performances by Irish army pipers, the Band of the King's Division of the British army and the Ballynafeigh School of Irish Dancing.
For those who prefer shopping to marching, the number of large retail units opening on the Twelfth has grown considerably this year. Supermarkets, including many Tesco and Asda branches, have remained open for the first time on the Twelfth.
The police have reminded drivers to take extra care on the roads over the holiday weekend.
A police spokesman said: "Last year (2007) 112 people lost their lives on the roads in Northern Ireland. While that's 14 less than in 2006, and the lowest figure recorded in 60 years, it still remains that many of these deaths and serious injuries could have been avoided.
"Our officers will be looking out for motorists who are driving too fast, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and driving while using a mobile phone."
318th Anniversary Battle of the Boyne Celebrations
VENUE - DISTRICT LODGES ATTENDING
Ballyclare: Cloughfern, Larne, Sixmilewater, Antrim, Carnmoney, Killead, Staffordstown, Carrickfergus & Randalstown.
Derriaghy: Glenavy, Aghalee, Lisburn, Magheragall, Ballinderry, Derriaghy & Hillsborough.
Cullybackey: Portglenone, Ahoghill & Cullybackey.
Ballymena: Ballymena District.
Broughshane: Braid District.
Rasharkin: Ballycastle, Bushmills, Rasharkin, Cloughmills & Ballymoney.
Tandragee: Portadown, Richhill, Loughgall, Tandragee, Armagh, Lurgan, Killylea, Keady, Newtownhamilton, Markethill & Bessbrook.
Barnett Demesne Belfast: Districts - No
Dromara: Lower Iveagh, Rathfriland, Banbridge, Lower Iveagh West, Newry, Loughbrickland, Gilford and Bann Valley.
Portavogie: Newtownards, Upper Ards, Holywood, Bangor.
Kilkeel: Mourne District.
Newcastle: Lecale, Saintfield, Castlewellan, Comber and Ballynahinch.
Kesh: Newtownbutler, Lisbellaw, Brookeborough, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen, Ballinamallard, Kinawley, Glenawley, Lisnarick, Pettigo, Magherabuoy, Churchhill, Maguiresbridge, Garrison & Tempo.
Maghera: Castledawson, Magherafelt, Garvagh, Kilrea, Tamlaght O'Crilly, Ballyronan, Tobermore & Moneymore. Coleraine Limavady, Macosquin, Coleraine, and City of Londonderry Grand Lodge, comprising five Districts.
Benburb: Pomeroy, Killyman, Stewartstown, Cookstown, Castlecaulfield, Benburb & Coagh.
Omagh: Sixmilecross, Fintona, Omagh, Newtownstewart, Killen & Strabane. Aughnacloy Annahoe & Fivemiletown.
Source: Orange Order
*************************************************
Twelfth in pictures
Bonfires were lit across Northern Ireland on the "11th night" ahead of the 12 July parades.
Each year on 12 July, Protestant Orangemen march to commemorate William of Orange's 1690 Battle of the Boyne victory over Catholic King James II.
The Orangemen's march took them past City Hall in Belfast where they would lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.
No drums sounded as the parade arrived at City Hall, where there was a pause for remembrance at the Cenotaph.
Many spectators dressed up especially for the occasion, enjoying the mild weather.
Family members of all ages came out to take part in the celebrations on the streets
The parade went along the city's Royal Avenue after leaving Carlisle Circus.
An Orange Order band member receives some first-aid spray after injuring himself playing the drums during a parade in Belfast.
Up to half a million people gathered along the route of the parade through Belfast, as marchers made their way towards demonstrations to hear speeches from Orange Order leaders.
news.bbc.co.uk
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