Over 550 parades are being held throughout Northern Ireland to commemorate the Twelfth of July, featuring the Orange Order and hundreds of marching bands on Friday (July 12).
Restrictions on a controversial march in north Belfast near the Ardoyne Shops have already been put in place by the Parades Commission and in order to join the parade, applications must have been submitted to and approved in advance by commission.Approximately two thirds of the police force, or 4,000 officers, are on duty in Northern Ireland. Last year, over £4 million was spent on the policing operation over the Twelfth event.In an interview with BBC Northern Ireland's Good Morning Ulster, Orange Order grand secretary Reverend Mervyn Gibson stated that he didn't see "any appetite for violence, certainly not from our side and I don’t think from any sides".
He said: “We want a peaceful day and for everyone to enjoy it, so I wouldn’t see any difficulties today but it needs to be sorted out quickly after the Twelfth of July. This is a day when hundreds of thousands of people will be out to see the parades, tens of thousands of Orangemen and bands will parade right across Northern Ireland and people want to enjoy themselves,”
However, he did add: “I have to be honest, I think relationships are probably the worst they’ve been in about 20 years. There are a whole lot of factors for that – political agitation around calls for a United Ireland and other things.”
But what is the Twelfth of July in Northern Ireland and what is the Orange Order?
What are the Twelfth of July parades?
The Twelfth of July parades, also known as the Orange Order parades or Orangemen’s Day, are annual events held in Northern Ireland on July 12. The day commemorates the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
The parades are organised by the Orange Order. They typically involve members of the group marching through towns and cities across Northern Ireland.
The parades often feature marching bands, banners, flags, and the wearing of distinctive orange sashes. The participants, known as Orangemen, march in formation along designated routes, often ending at a field or park where speeches, religious ceremonies, and other activities take place.
The parades are seen as a celebration of Protestant and Unionist identity. They are viewed by many within the Protestant community as an important cultural and historical event.
However, the parades can also be a source of controversy and tension, as they can be perceived by some as provocative or sectarian in nature. Efforts have been made in recent years to promote dialogue and understanding between different communities to reduce tensions and foster a more inclusive atmosphere during the parades.
What is the Orange Order?
The Orange Order is a Protestant fraternal organisation that originated in Ireland in 1795. It was formed during a period of sectarian tension between Protestant and Catholic communities.
Protestant loyalists established the order in an effort to maintain Protestant dominance and defend British and Protestant interests in the country.
The name “Orange” refers to William of Orange, also known as King William III of England.
The Orange Order promotes the principles of the Protestant Reformation, Protestant heritage, and loyalty to the British Crown. It upholds values such as Protestantism, unionism, and the defence of civil and religious liberties as understood within the Protestant tradition. The organisation has a hierarchical structure, with lodges, districts, and a Grand Lodge overseeing its operations.
Members of the Orange Order, known as Orangemen, participate in parades, demonstrations, and other events organised by the order. These events often feature the display of Orange regalia, including sashes, collarettes, and other distinctive symbols. The order also has its own marching bands, which play music during parades.
On their website, they say the Orange Order was formed to protect the principles of Protestantism and the “Glorious Revolution of 1688 that enshrined civil and religious liberty for all”.
They say: “Our members celebrate these principles publicly through our annual colourful parades.”
Does the Orange Order still exist?
Yes, and not just in Northern Ireland. It also has lodges in other parts of the UK and in countries with Protestant communities, such as Canada and Australia.
Members say their job is to promote the Protestant faith, maintain a healthy and happy union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and teach “religious tolerance and respect” to their younger members.
How many bands will be involved in 2024?
The Orange Order reports that this Friday's marches will feature almost 600 marching bands.
