The Orange Order is discussing changes to its Twelfth of July Parade route through Belfast following 2022’s “abysmal” march.
Their route through the city is around 10 miles long but the proposed changes could see it shortened to a circular four mile march cutting out speeches and finishing hours earlier.
The Belfast County Grand Lodge carried out the internal review but they told us a decision is yet to be made.
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Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Rev Mervyn Gibson, said: “We are always reviewing our parades for a host of reasons, discussions have taken place, but no decision has been taken about changes, if any.
“It will be a matter for Belfast County after listening to a wide range of views.”
BBC reports the field at Barnett’s Demesne where speeches are given would be axed from the annual event according to an ‘internal document’ they’ve seen.
They say the document stated the review was commissioned “in the aftermath of the abysmal and unacceptable Twelfth of July in 2022”.
It described the march as “probably the worst for decades” saying it was “too long” and caused “a significant amount of knock-on consequences”.
Anti-social behaviour and crowd disruption at Shaftsbury Square on the parade’s return leg are thought to be at the heart of the comments.
Police said last year’s parade was the most peaceful they had seen in years with just eight arrests.
Belfast Twelfth of July parade is one of the longest in Northern Ireland and is viewed as “sensitive” by the Parades Commission.
It starts around 10am at Carlisle Circus, before marching down:
- Carlisle Circus
- Clifton Street
- Donegall Street
- Royal Avenue
- Donegall Place
- Donegall Square North
- Donegall Square West
- Bedford Street
- Dublin Road
- Shaftsbury Square
- Bradbury Place
- Lisburn Road
- Balmoral Avenue
- Malone Road
- Barnett’s Park
Speeches are then given at Barnett’s Demesne from roughly 1.30-3.30 before the return leg which follows:
- Barnett’s Park
- Malone Road
- Balmoral Avenue
- Lisburn Road
- Bradbury Place
- Shaftsbury Square
- Great Victoria Street
- Bruce Street
- Bedford Street
- Donegall Square West
- Donegall Square North
- Donegall Place
- Royal Avenue
- Donegall Street
- Clifton Street
- Carlisle Circus
The Parade’s Commission website says ‘8070 participants’ and ‘20 bands’ are expected for this year’s march, which starts at 10am and ends at 6.30pm.
If the route is changed next year, as proposed, the parade would start and end at Carlisle Circus, turning back on itself at Elmwood Avenue and finish around 2pm.
BBC say the Belfast County Grand Lodge document states: “Let’s make 2024 a parade fit for a King.”
A Parades Commission spokesperson said they have not had any discussions with the Orange Order over potential changes to next year's parade but is always willing to speak to organisers.
A spokesperson added: “In accordance with its Procedural Rules and Guidelines the Commission considers each parade notification on its own merits and circumstances once the notification has been received. Parades are required to be notified at least 28 days in advance.
“The Commission has not had any discussions in relation to media reports about potential changes to next year’s Twelfth in Belfast. However, the Commission is always willing to speak to parade organisers if they would like to discuss any aspects of their plans.”
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