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Thousands attend Orange parades Thousands attend Orange parades
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of Orangemen and supporters are attending Northern Ireland's Twelfth of July parades. Tens of thousands of Orangemen and supporters have attended Northern Ireland's Twelfth of July parades.
The parades mark the victory of the Protestant William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.The parades mark the victory of the Protestant William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
In total 18 demonstrations are being held by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. In total 18 demonstrations were held by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.
The largest parade is in Belfast and thousands of spectators have lining the city's streets to watch the marchers. The largest parade was in Belfast and thousands of spectators lined the city's streets to watch the marchers.
The Belfast parade left Carlisle Circus at 1000 BST for the City Hall and a wreath laying ceremony.The Belfast parade left Carlisle Circus at 1000 BST for the City Hall and a wreath laying ceremony.
From there, it made its way to the field at Barnett Demesne. It left for the return journey at 1615 BST.From there, it made its way to the field at Barnett Demesne. It left for the return journey at 1615 BST.
PARADE VENUES Belfast Enniskillen LoughgallLimavadyMoneymoreDonemanaDungannonAugherHolywoodLenadergBallynahinchBallymartinMagheraberryBallymenaCloughmillsBraidAhoghillCloughfernPARADE VENUES Belfast Enniskillen LoughgallLimavadyMoneymoreDonemanaDungannonAugherHolywoodLenadergBallynahinchBallymartinMagheraberryBallymenaCloughmillsBraidAhoghillCloughfern
At the field Orangemen take pledges of Protestant faith, loyalty to the crown and support for the union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. At the field Orangemen took pledges of Protestant faith, loyalty to the crown and support for the union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Click here for The Twelfth In PicturesClick here for The Twelfth In Pictures
The Independent Loyal Orange Institution is on parade in Ballymoney, County Antrim, and First Minister Ian Paisley addressed members there. The Independent Loyal Orange Institution paraded in Ballymoney, County Antrim, where First Minister Ian Paisley was the keynote speaker.
A number of the parades are contentious, and while protests are planned police said they were hopeful that all the parades would pass off peacefully. During his first Twelfth demonstration since becoming first minister, Mr Paisley criticised the pope.
However, in County Armagh the windows of several buses carrying bandsmen were broken by stone-throwers as they travelled along Friary Road in Armagh at around 1615 BST. "The Rome that Martin Luther fought is still the same today," he said.
In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said it had been working closely with parade and protest organisers, community and political representatives and local residents. Ian Paisley addressed Independent Orange members at Ballymoney
"Last year was one of the most peaceful parading seasons for many years. We hope and expect a similar situation this year," police said. "It has not changed and it will not change."
At Ballynahinch, County Down, DUP assembly member Jim Wells told Orange Order members that republicans "must disband their army council".
"There is absolutely no indication that the IRA Army Council has been stood down," he said.
"This issue must be addressed immediately and it must be made clear to Sinn Fein that there must be delivery on this and other important issues."
In County Armagh the windows of several buses carrying bandsmen were broken by stone-throwers as they travelled along Friary Road in Armagh at around 1615 BST.
Among the spectators in Belfast was Lord Ashdown who is to head a review of parading in Northern Ireland.Among the spectators in Belfast was Lord Ashdown who is to head a review of parading in Northern Ireland.
He said he hoped the Twelfth could become "a celebration of culture not politics".He said he hoped the Twelfth could become "a celebration of culture not politics".