Date is set for massive Orange centenary parade in Northern Ireland – akin to 2012’s vast Ulster Covenant march
The Orange Order has determined that May 28 next year is when brethren and bands will take to Belfast’s streets for a delayed display of national pride.
The actual foundation year of Northern Ireland is widely taken to be 1921, but – like much else in the Orange calendar – full-scale celebrations to commemorate it had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe order’s leadership are now working on the assumption that Covid-19 restrictions will have been largely dissolved by the time the date rolls around in seven months.
Grand Secretary Mervyn Gibson said he anticipates “tens of thousands of people” turning out for the day (including both marchers and participants).
He also likened it to the colossal 2012 Ulster Covenant Centenary march, which went from Belfast city centre to Stormont.
• See below for links to comment articles on the centenary
This parade will do exactly the reverse: start at Stormont, and make its way to the city hall.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThere are no other details of the arrangements at present, with the Orange Standard (the official publication of the order) advising readers to keep their eyes peeled for further news in the months ahead.
In addition, the Orange institution has also made another announcement: it has created what it called an ‘Anti-Protocol Declaration’.
Similar in purpose to the 1912 Ulster Covenant, it is designed as a display of the depth of unionist feeling against the NI Protocol.
You can see it – and sign it – yourself by typing the following into your internet browser bar: shorturl.at/OROY2
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe news comes as the Princess Royal yesterday visited Northern Ireland to unveil a stone marking the centenary.
The stone will now be a permanent fixture in Londonderry’s Siege Museum; the chairman of the museum’s management committee William Moore, declared it “an absolute honour”.
• Other reactions to the lack of centenary events below, and beneath that information on how to subscribe to the News Letter
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad• Ben Lowry Oct 23:Centenary church service should have celebrated Northern Ireland
• David Campbell Oct 29: We need to make plans for a proper celebration of NI at 100
• Billy Kennedy: Queen’s absence left a huge void at centenary service
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad• Henry McDonald: Absence of Queen at centenary service was spun beyond credulity
• John Cushnahan: To those who distorted nature of centenary service — Shame on you!
• Doug Beattie: Sinn Fein incredibly small-minded over NI centenary event
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad• Editorial Oct 22: Armagh centenary service was not a celebration of Northern Ireland
——— ———
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
With the coronavirus lockdowns having had a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSubscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.
Visit
now to sign up.
Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.
Ben Lowry, Editor