18 Twelfth of July parades to take place across Northern Ireland

2022's Twelfth of July parades will take place tomorrow across Northern Ireland, as the Orange Institution returns to its traditional celebrations this year.

After two years of low-key events due to the pandemic, close to 600 bands are expected to march on the day.

Marking the 332nd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, 18 venues across all of Northern Ireland will host events.

Some of the main and biggest demonstrations are:

Armagh

The County Armagh Twelfth Demonstration is now firmly established as the largest Orange gathering in the world and encompasses the full range of the Orange family. 11 District Lodges will be on parade in Armagh, with a total of 150 Private Lodges and almost 5,000 members taking part.

They will be joined by ladies from the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland and a number of Junior Boys and Junior Girls Lodges.

The Co Armagh Demonstration can attract upwards of 20,000 spectators, including some from across the Border. Approximately 65 bands will accompany the Lodges and some of the finest Pipe, Accordion, Silver and Flute Bands in the country will be on parade.

There are usually four Scottish bands on parade at the Co. Armagh demonstration and as the “County of the Diamond” is renowned for the Lambeg Drum, dozens will be accompanying the Lodges, especially if the weather is good.

Belfast

The parade to mark the 332nd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in the capital city will leave Belfast Orange Hall, at Carlisle Circus, at 10am.

The parade will makes its way along Clifton Street, Donegal Street, Royal Avenue, Castle Junction and Donegall Place to Belfast City Hall. A wreath laying ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph in the grounds of the City Hall shortly before 10.30am and the parade will then proceed via Donegall Square West, Bedford Street, Dublin Road, Shaftsbury Square, Bradbury Place, Lisburn Road, Balmoral Avenue and Malone Road to Barnett’s Demesne.

Orangemen and women representing a total of nine districts – accompanied by approximately 60 bands – will walk the six-mile route, traditionally the longest of all the Twelfth demonstrations. As usual, thousands of spectators including visitors from other countries are expected to line much of the route through the capital city.

Limavady

The Twelfth of July for North Londonderry returns to the capital of the Roe Valley with Limavady District LOL No. 6 hosting the demonstration for the first time in the town since 2016.

Brethren of the 15 Lodges, Ladies Lodge, Junior Lodges and 11 Bands from Limavady District look forward to welcoming visiting members and bands from Coleraine and Macosquin Districts, as well as the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge comprising of three Districts from Londonderry, Cumber Claudy and East Donegal. A number of visitors from Scotland will also take part in the parade.

Newry

Upwards of 100 lodges, accompanied by around 80 bands, will take part in the Twelfth celebrations at Newry - watched by thousands of spectators - in what is expected to be the largest Twelfth parade in Co Down. Orangemen and women of host district, Newry, will be joined by their contemporaries from Banbridge, Bann Valley, Lower Iveagh, Lower Iveagh West, Rathfriland, Loughbrickland, and Gilford.

The parade will assemble at Newry High School and at 11.45am the new South-West Down Area Conference Standard will be dedicated and unfurled. The parade will get underway at 12noon led by the host District and will travel via Ashgrove Road, Downshire Road, Kildare Street, Hill Street, Margaret Street, The Mall, Bank Parade, Sugar Island, Trevor Hill, Downshire Road, Belfast Road, Ardmore/Shandon Park, Cloghanrmer Road, A28 to the demonstration Field.

The platform proceedings in the field will commence at 2.15pm led by Wor. Bro. Gary Ferris. District Chaplain Wor. Bro. Norman Hutton will lead a short religious service

The full list of this year's Twelfth of July parades 👇

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• twelfth of july
• parades
• northern ireland