BBC Information NI
BBCCrowds have lined the streets of cities, cities and villages throughout Northern Eire on Saturday to attend Twelfth of July parades.
1000’s of Orange Order members participate within the annual marches to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
The occasion can also be a celebration of Protestant traditions and Ulster-Scots heritage.
Members of native Orange lodges are joined on parade by visiting lodges from Scotland and additional afield.
PA MediaThe principle parade has begun strolling from the Orange corridor at Clifton Avenue in north Belfast.
Parades are additionally going down in numerous components of Northern Eire together with Kesh, Coleraine, Dromara, Augher and Keady.
A small feeder parade handed the Ardoyne outlets in north Belfast at 09:00 BST with out situation.
There was a small police presence on the outlets, which up to now was the scene of parade-related bother.
It’s not permitted on the identical route this night, however the return parade will happen on Sunday morning.
PA MediaThe Orange lodges are accompanied by marching bands and supported by tens of 1000’s of spectators, lots of whom have dressed up in vibrant costume for the event.
This yr’s occasions are concentrated at 18 places, with members travelling to converge with neighbouring lodges on the nearest host venue.
This yr marks the 335th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, which passed off exterior Drogheda in what’s now the Republic of Eire.
The battle resulted in victory for the Protestant King William III over his Catholic father-in-law, the deposed King James II.
In Coleraine, Terence and Mildred McAle have been having fun with the “superb climate” watching the parade with their canine Alfie.
“We benefit from the bands and the spectacle,” mentioned Terence.
Mildred added: “It is our tradition and I get pleasure from a fantastic time out. The grandchildren like it as their daddy is parading.”
On Friday night time, a whole lot of bonfires have been lit to mark Eleventh Evening – a convention noticed by many unionist communities on the eve of the Twelfth.
The bonfires commemorate the actions of King William III’s supporters in 1690, who lit fires throughout the countryside to welcome and information him to the battle website.
Most Eleventh Evening bonfires cross with out incident, however some are controversial as a consequence of their top or location, or as a result of they comprise symbols thought of offensive.
This yr a bonfire in south Belfast caused concern due to the presence of asbestos on the positioning, and the very fact it was near an electrical energy substation which provides energy to 2 close by hospitals.
The bonfire, between the Donegall Street and the Westlink, was lit on Friday night after police confirmed they’d not help in eradicating it.
