A Truly Glorious Twelfth

A truly Glorious Twelfth! That was the verdict of most people as they celebrated the 316th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne with massive parades at demonstrations throughout Northern Ireland, writes an Orange Standard reporter.

The strength of the Orange Order was manifested in the huge turnout of members who paraded in over 1,300 lodges at 18 venues.

It was not just the members of the Orange Order who produced this awesome parade, but the hundreds of thousands of supporters who lined the routes of the parades and proved once again that the Orange is a vital part of the very ethos of Ulster and its Protestant population.

Hundreds of bands took part in the Orange spectacular, and the music from a variety of bands - pipe, accordion, flute, silver, and concertina - mingled with the throbbing of the great Lambeg drums contributed in large measure to this spectacular display of Orange strength.

The marching Orangemen ranged from veterans in their 80s, some of them wearing campaign medals of the Second World War, and every conflict since 1945 that the British Army has been involved in, to toddlers who joined their fathers in the parade, many of them beating little replica drums.

Orangewomen are an increasingly familiar sight in Ulster Orange parades, and this year there were many Junior Orange members taking part - a positive step as it confirms the fact that all belong to the 'Orange Family.'

Few countries in Europe can match the Ulster 'Twelfth' parades in colour and magnificence, in numbers and in their unique appeal.

Recent years has seen a huge increase in visitors to Northern Ireland during the 'Twelfth' period, and this was certainly a noticeable feature at all parades this year.

People watching the parades didn't just come from other parts of the United Kingdom, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.

They were here in large numbers from many European countries, as well as from Asia and Africa.

There is undoubtedly great potential in expanding the tourist appeal of the 'Twelfth', and that is a challenge to the Tourist Board and other organisations.

The Orange Order is certainly playing its part, and the extensive publicity over 'Orangefest' at the Belfast parade proves the point.

But the main objectives of the Order is the maintenance and protection of the Protestant Reformed religion, and the safeguarding of Northern Ireland's cherished position within the United Kingdom and British Commonwealth.

That will continue to be the case, and Orangemen are pledged to resist the attempts to undermine the Protestant ethos in Northern Ireland, especially the moves to introduce more relaxation on the laws governing Sunday shopping, and the entertainment scene.

Orangemen are also Queen's men and make no apology for their loyalty to the person of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

This year the loyalty of Northern Ireland in war was especially significant in the Province which continues to mourn the thousands of young Ulstermen who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Many of this year's parades paused so that homage could be paid at War Memorials and Cenotaphs to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division who perished at the Somme.

One of the most encouraging features of this year's parade was the evidence of many new members taking part in the parades. In the past year hundreds of young men and women have joined the Orange Institution and they walked out proudly in their first 'Twelfth' parade.

The Orange Order has had its highs and lows down the years since its formation in 1795, but it has always confounded those who have predicted its demise. It has demonstrated its resilience on many occasions, and this was very much the case in this latest show of disciplined strength.

Complacency and apathy must never be part of the Orange approach, and there is certainly no feeling of this among the ranks of marching men and women.

But they are certainly entitled to reflect with great satisfaction on a 12th July demonstration which will go down in the annals of the Order as one of the biggest and most successful in years.