Preparations are at an advanced stage for this year's Twelfth of July celebrations across Northern Ireland, the biggest day in the parading calendar.
Upwards of an estimated half-a-million people expected to participate or spectate in what is widely regarded as one of the largest annual festivals in Europe.
Thousands of Orangemen, women and juniors – accompanied by in the region of 600 marching bands – will step out at the various locations across NI with much pageantry, colour and heritage on display.
Read more: The reason why people march to mark The Twelfth of July in NI
The Co Armagh demonstration – which will be held in Lurgan this year – is now very firmly established as the largest Orange gathering in the world on the day and encompasses the full range of the Orange Family.
A total of 11 District Lodges will be on parade, with 150 Private Lodges and almost 5,000 Brethren; in addition, ladies from the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland will take part, along with a number of Junior Boys and Junior Girls Lodges.
The Co Armagh Demonstration can attract upwards of 40,000 spectators. Almost 70 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 always approximately four Scottish bands on parade at the Co Armagh demonstration and as the “County of the Diamond” is well-renowned for the Lambeg Drum, dozens will be accompanying the Lodges, especially if the weather is favourable.
The Co Armagh Twelfth rotates around the District Lodges in an eleven-year cycle and this year it is the turn of Lurgan District LOL No. 6 (at one time known as O’Neill and East District LOL No. 6, after the Barony of that name) to host the celebrations.
The District is centred on the majestic Brownlow House (or Castle) and has 19 Private Lodges, with approximately 500 brethren. Whilst many of the Lodges meet in Brownlow House, some have their own halls in the surrounding area, including a few on the shores of Lough Neagh.
The District Lodge holds a Service and Act of Remembrance each Twelfth morning prior to leaving the House. The District had four members murdered during The Troubles and they are remembered on a granite Memorial Stone in the grounds of Brownlow House.
The brethren of Lurgan District are very much looking forward to hosting the parade for the first time since 2010 and to mark the event, a specially-commissioned flag, jewel and souvenir booklet have been produced.
The Lodges of the host District will assemble at Brownlow House from before 8am, where they will be joined by the County Grand Lodge Officers. After the Service and Act of Remembrance, they will parade to the town War Memorial at 8am to lay a wreath.
The District will then process to the Assembly Point at Russell Drive to meet the first of the visiting District Lodges.
The main parade, headed by Upper Bann Fusiliers Flute Band and Bleary Crimson Star LOL 12, will then commence at approximately 10am.
The parade route is Russell Drive, Mourne Road, Pollock Drive, Gilford Road, Flush Place, Queen Street (under one of the finest arches in the country), High Street, Market Street, Windsor Avenue, to the Demonstration Field at Brownlow House.
Lurgan District will be followed by Portadown, Richhill, Keady and Killylea Districts; the remainder of the Districts, namely, Markethill, Armagh, Tandragee, Loughgall, Bessbrook and Newtownhamilton, will parade as they arrive, and by 12.30pm, all Districts should be in the Demonstration Field, which is the spacious grounds of Brownlow House.
Richhill District will be joined on parade by the boys of the recently re-formed Richhill Tercentenary JLOL 285.
In the field, all the usual stalls and food venders will be set up. There will be a number of activities for children and as always impromptu band and Lambeg Drum rehearsals.
The group, “Stonewall”, will provide free entertainment from approximately 1pm in the Front Courtyard.
The Chair will be taken at 1.45pm by the County Grand Master, Rt. Wor. Bro. Denis J Watson JP, and proceedings will commence with the traditional religious service, conducted by Wor. Bro. Rev. William Anderson, Deputy County Grand Chaplain.
He will be assisted by the other Deputy County Grand Chaplains in the Prayers and Act of Remembrance; the Address will be given by Wor. Bro. Rev. Maurice Laverty, Lurgan Deputy District Chaplain.
The solemn Act of Remembrance will be undertaken by Wor. Bro. Rev. Edwin Frazer, Deputy County Grand Chaplain. Hamiltonsbawn Silver Band will provide the musical accompaniment for the two hymns.
After the service, the Twelfth Resolutions will be proposed and passed. The first on “Faith” will be proposed by Wor. Bro. Jim Copeland, County Grand Treasurer; the second on “Loyalty” by Wor. Bro. David Martin, Lurgan District Master; and the third on “The State” by Wor. Bro. Roger Gardiner, County Grand Secretary.
The platform proceedings will then conclude with the customary Resolution of Thanks, introduced by Wor. Bro. Lawson Burnett, the new Deputy County Grand Master. The County Shield for the Best Band on Parade will then be presented.
The return parade starts at 2.45pm from Brownlow House.
There will be at least two new banners being carried on parade for the first time this Twelfth, namely those of the Rising Sons of William LOL 48a, Derrylee, Loughgall District; and Gideon’s Rising Star LOL 253, Drumbanagher, Tandragee District.
Kinnego LOL 5 in Loughgall District held a special meeting in the Museum of Orange Heritage at Sloan’s House, Loughgall, in February to present nine of their long-serving members with 50-year jewels.
The presentations were made by the oldest Lodge member (and indeed probably the oldest Orangeman in Co Armagh), Bro. Hilbert Willis; what made it somewhat unique was that two of the recipients were his sons.
A number of bands are celebrating milestones this year - Drumderg Loyalists Flute Band in Keady District is marking 100 years since it was formed and will have extra pride as it steps out with almost 70 members on parade.
Aghavilly Accordion Band in Armagh District is celebrating 65 years on the road, having been formed in 1958. Mullabrack Accordion Band in Markethill District is 40 years on the road in 2023 and finally, Crozier Memorial Pipe Band from Cavanapole in Killylea District is celebrating 75 years.
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