Where is the twelfth parade 2017

Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson said this year's Twelfth was the biggest in a generation, describing it as glorious. A peaceful Orange Order parade past the Ardoyne flashpoint in Northern Ireland is a massive step forward, a community worker has said.

The Twelfth All the venues from right across Northern Ireland mapped. July 12 PM. Facebook Twitter Email. Three people were arrested on Wednesday, as well as six people on Tuesday night for disorder associated with bonfires. He added that a small number of Eleventh Night bonfires on Tuesday had been "sectarian and racist" and that police are investigating. Mr Stevenson said there had been a "family-friendly and carnival atmosphere" to the parades on Wednesday.

While the vast majority of Twelfth parades typically pass without incident, a small number have proved contentious in the past, with some nationalists objecting to public roads being closed to facilitate the marchers.

Tensions around contentious parades have eased, with residents and the Orange Order reaching agreements, and the mood on the streets in many areas this year appears to have been more relaxed. Orange Order grand secretary Mervyn Gibson said there was "less tension" this year. The Ardoyne feeder parade in north Belfast - a flashpoint in previous years - took place on Wednesday morning. The main Orange Order parade passed by St Patrick's Catholic Church in Belfast - another area in which tensions have risen in the previous year - without incident.

Bands abided by the ruling that only a single drum-beat should be played while passing the church. There was no protest and a more low-key police presence than in previous years.

The Orange Order was formed near Loughgall in County Armagh in , when its founding members pledged their loyalty to the royal family and swore to defend the Protestant faith. On 12 July, marching bands from Orange lodges all over Northern Ireland parade through villages, towns and cities before listening to speeches and prayers by senior Orangemen.

Traditionally, the biggest Twelfth gathering is in County Armagh, but a major demonstration was held in each of the six counties in Northern Ireland. Many smaller towns and villages take turns hosting their neighbouring districts, but Belfast and Ballymena in County Antrim stage a Twelfth parade every year.

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Save to lightbox. One of eighteen parades across Northern Ireland to mark the victory of William of Orange over James at the Battle of the Boyne in , thousands turned out to enjoy the colourful pagentry on a warm day.