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Orange Order: Thousands take part in annual Twelfth parades Orange Order: Thousands take part in annual Twelfth parades
(35 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of Orangemen and women are taking part in 12 July celebrations across Northern Ireland.Tens of thousands of Orangemen and women are taking part in 12 July celebrations across Northern Ireland.
There were no incidents as a feeder parade passed a sectarian flashpoint at Ardoyne shops in north Belfast on Saturday morning.There were no incidents as a feeder parade passed a sectarian flashpoint at Ardoyne shops in north Belfast on Saturday morning.
The parade has just arrived at the area for its return leg.The parade has just arrived at the area for its return leg.
It has been barred by the Parades Commission from returning along this stretch of road.It has been barred by the Parades Commission from returning along this stretch of road.
Security barriers have been put in place by the police there ahead of the return parade.
Senior Orangemen, including Grand Chaplain Mervyn Gibson, arrived in the area ahead of the parade as part of a group of marshals.Senior Orangemen, including Grand Chaplain Mervyn Gibson, arrived in the area ahead of the parade as part of a group of marshals.
The main Belfast parade is making its way through the city centre on its return journey where there is a large police presence. Security barriers have been put in place by the police there ahead of the return leg.
It has passed a small protest outside St Patrick's Catholic Church in Donegall Street, where bands played a drum beat rather than hymns or loyalist tunes. The return parade has also passed a protest outside St Patrick's Catholic Church in Donegall Street.
The first band played a single drum beat as it passed the church.
The second band played the hymn Abide With Me.
There was also a protest in the area earlier during the parade's outward journey.
The first of a number of planned protest parades has started in Dromore, County Down.The first of a number of planned protest parades has started in Dromore, County Down.
Another has started in Banbridge, County Down, with several others set to take place across Northern Ireland on Saturday evening.Another has started in Banbridge, County Down, with several others set to take place across Northern Ireland on Saturday evening.
Earlier, all the parades stopped for six minutes in protest at the Parades Commission determination on the return of the north Belfast feeder parade.Earlier, all the parades stopped for six minutes in protest at the Parades Commission determination on the return of the north Belfast feeder parade.
There was a small protest outside St Patrick's Catholic Church in Donegall Street, where bands played a drum beat rather than hymns or loyalist tunes.
The 12 July is traditionally the biggest day in the Protestant marching season - running from April to August - with 17 main parades and several feeder parades taking place this year.The 12 July is traditionally the biggest day in the Protestant marching season - running from April to August - with 17 main parades and several feeder parades taking place this year.
They mark King William III's victory over Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.They mark King William III's victory over Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
While most parades proceed without incident, some that pass nationalist areas are controversial.While most parades proceed without incident, some that pass nationalist areas are controversial.
Around 20 residents stood outside Ardoyne shops in north Belfast as the Orange Order parade passed on Saturday morning.Around 20 residents stood outside Ardoyne shops in north Belfast as the Orange Order parade passed on Saturday morning.
The residents said they were there to observe, not to protest, and the march was not obstructed.The residents said they were there to observe, not to protest, and the march was not obstructed.
Earlier, the new Chief Constable George Hamilton, toured the security operation in north Belfast and spoke about his hopes for the day.Earlier, the new Chief Constable George Hamilton, toured the security operation in north Belfast and spoke about his hopes for the day.
"I think we are in as good a place as we can be just now," he said."I think we are in as good a place as we can be just now," he said.
"I'm optimistic, but it's a cautious optimism and I'm just hoping that people take responsibility for their own actions and they need to understand that, as I've said throughout the past couple of weeks, the police will do our piece to keep people safe and also to collect evidence where people step outside of the law.""I'm optimistic, but it's a cautious optimism and I'm just hoping that people take responsibility for their own actions and they need to understand that, as I've said throughout the past couple of weeks, the police will do our piece to keep people safe and also to collect evidence where people step outside of the law."
There is a large police operation in place throughout Northern Ireland with more than 3,000 officers on duty.There is a large police operation in place throughout Northern Ireland with more than 3,000 officers on duty.
When the parade was permitted to pass the mainly Catholic Ardoyne in Belfast in recent years, there were riots. And when that route was restricted last year there was further disorder.When the parade was permitted to pass the mainly Catholic Ardoyne in Belfast in recent years, there were riots. And when that route was restricted last year there was further disorder.
Saying he was "hopeful" for a peaceful day, Grand Lodge of Ireland Secretary Drew Nelson warned any Protestant who threw stones or bottles they would be "falling into a republican trap".Saying he was "hopeful" for a peaceful day, Grand Lodge of Ireland Secretary Drew Nelson warned any Protestant who threw stones or bottles they would be "falling into a republican trap".
When the parade was permitted to pass the mainly Catholic Ardoyne in Belfast in recent years, there were riots. And when that route was restricted last year there was further disorder.When the parade was permitted to pass the mainly Catholic Ardoyne in Belfast in recent years, there were riots. And when that route was restricted last year there was further disorder.
Saying he was "hopeful" for a peaceful day, Grand Lodge of Ireland Secretary Drew Nelson warned any Protestant who threw stones or bottles they would be "falling into a republican trap".Saying he was "hopeful" for a peaceful day, Grand Lodge of Ireland Secretary Drew Nelson warned any Protestant who threw stones or bottles they would be "falling into a republican trap".
The Orange Order has encouraged people to take selfies to "capture the colour, spectacle and unrivalled carnival atmosphere at Orange parades".The Orange Order has encouraged people to take selfies to "capture the colour, spectacle and unrivalled carnival atmosphere at Orange parades".
'Colourful and vibrant''Colourful and vibrant'
Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson said he hoped the photographs would "act as a lasting memory of another glorious Twelfth of July".Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson said he hoped the photographs would "act as a lasting memory of another glorious Twelfth of July".
"The Twelfth of July is a day like no other and a unique celebration of our culture, faith and identity," he said."The Twelfth of July is a day like no other and a unique celebration of our culture, faith and identity," he said.
"Our parades are colourful and vibrant occasions, with distinctive banners and musical bands providing the perfect backdrop for those wishing to partake in a selfie photograph.""Our parades are colourful and vibrant occasions, with distinctive banners and musical bands providing the perfect backdrop for those wishing to partake in a selfie photograph."
The parades at Limavady, Markethill and Larne have been chosen by the Order as tourist flagship festivals.The parades at Limavady, Markethill and Larne have been chosen by the Order as tourist flagship festivals.
About 40,000 people are expected at the demonstration in Limavady.About 40,000 people are expected at the demonstration in Limavady.
The former grandmaster of the City of Londonderry Lodge, Victor Wray, said he was hoping for a peaceful day.The former grandmaster of the City of Londonderry Lodge, Victor Wray, said he was hoping for a peaceful day.
"We, as you know, in the city of Londonderry have done a lot of hard work and we would want this to be very, very peaceful," he said."We, as you know, in the city of Londonderry have done a lot of hard work and we would want this to be very, very peaceful," he said.
"We want nobody here that is going to cause any trouble (or) bring disgrace to the colours we are wearing here.""We want nobody here that is going to cause any trouble (or) bring disgrace to the colours we are wearing here."
Robin Swann, a UUP MLA and Orangeman, thanked the public for their support of events in north Antrim.Robin Swann, a UUP MLA and Orangeman, thanked the public for their support of events in north Antrim.
"The community is to be highly commended for its magnificent support of all the mainstream Orange Order demonstrations throughout north Antrim, as well as the Independent Orange Institution's demonstration."The community is to be highly commended for its magnificent support of all the mainstream Orange Order demonstrations throughout north Antrim, as well as the Independent Orange Institution's demonstration.
"The organising brethren and sisters of both the mainstream Orange Order and Independent Institution are to be equally commended for hosting very professional demonstrations which enhanced both Orders' true Christian and family values.""The organising brethren and sisters of both the mainstream Orange Order and Independent Institution are to be equally commended for hosting very professional demonstrations which enhanced both Orders' true Christian and family values."
In recent years, the 12 July parades have been rebranded as "Orangefest", in an attempt to attract tourists.In recent years, the 12 July parades have been rebranded as "Orangefest", in an attempt to attract tourists.
About half of Belfast city centre's shops will be open for business on Saturday, but most have low expectations for business.About half of Belfast city centre's shops will be open for business on Saturday, but most have low expectations for business.
The Parades Commission - set up as part of the peace process to make decision on contentious marches - last week ruled that the Ligoniel Orange Lodge should not make a return parade along a stretch of Crumlin Road that separates unionist and nationalist communities on 12 July.The Parades Commission - set up as part of the peace process to make decision on contentious marches - last week ruled that the Ligoniel Orange Lodge should not make a return parade along a stretch of Crumlin Road that separates unionist and nationalist communities on 12 July.
It is the second year in a row that such a ruling has been made.It is the second year in a row that such a ruling has been made.
In protest at the ruling, each of the Orange Order's main demonstrations will stop for six minutes; the time, it says, it would take for the Ligoniel lodge to complete its route.In protest at the ruling, each of the Orange Order's main demonstrations will stop for six minutes; the time, it says, it would take for the Ligoniel lodge to complete its route.