Twelfth parades under way across Northern Ireland
Tens of thousands expected to take part in one of the biggest-ever events
Last updated 12th Jul 2017
Tens of thousands of Orangemen are taking part in Twelfth parades right across Northern Ireland today – in what is expected to be one of the biggest-ever attended demonstrations.
The Orange Order is also predicting huge numbers of spectators – a number from outside Northern Ireland including America.
It is expected that around 500,000 will watch the events around the province.
Demonstrations will be held at 18 demonstrations with hundreds of feeder parades taking place before and after.
Orange Order CEO Iain Carlisle said: “There will be 154 lodges on parade accompanied by 70 bands.
“At the other end of the spectrum we will have some smaller rural venues like Broughshane or Annalong. In Broughshane there are 11 lodges with nine bands so that smaller scale and of course we have Belfast in the capital city always a great spectacle.”
Mr Carlisle said it was good day all round for the economy.
“Three or four years ago there was a major study commissioned about the economic benefits of the parading tradition in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“Often we are looked upon as a troublesome sector.
“However, the headline figure is in excess of £50m generated in the local economy and that’s through hotels, bed nights, transport, through uniforms, regalia and banners we buy.”
The largest demonstration today will be in the village of Richhill in County Armagh.
Meanwhile, a controversial feeder parade in the Ardoyne area of Belfast passed off peacefully this morning.
On Sunday, thousands took part in the annual Orange parade in Rossnowlagh, Donegal.