SAOIRSE32

By Ashleigh McDonald
Belfast Telegraph
Friday 11, July 2008

Tens of thousands of Orangemen were making final preparations today for the annual Twelfth of July celebrations.

Figures for those both attending and watching tomorrow’s parades — which are taking place at 18 locations across Northern Ireland — are expected to top last year’s estimate of half a million people.

Four demonstrations have been selected as flagships for the biggest event in the Orange Order’s calendar.

The largest will be in Belfast while flagships are also being held in Dromara, Tandragee and Coleraine.

The events have received support from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland in a bid to boost the number of visitors to the province over the July holidays.

Dr David Hume, the Orange Order’s director of services, said: “We know there is hard evidence that more and more tourists are planning trips to Northern Ireland to coincide with the parades.

“All our parades are very important to us and we will be working with all the authorities to maximise the positive impact of the Twelfth parades.

“But Grand Lodge decided that we should put an extra special effort into our four flagship demonstrations this year.

“After an internal competition we selected the four locations and we have no doubt they will be a huge success.”

Thanking the tourist authorities for their support and suggestions about the celebrations, Dr Hume continued: “The Twelfth is a unique attraction in Northern Ireland and it brings with it immense benefits to the economy and to everyone in the community.

“We will be doing everything we can to make the Twelfth attractive for all the family and for anyone — local or visiting — who wants to see it.”

The biggest parade marking the 318th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne begins in Belfast at 10am tomorrow when the Millar Memorial Flute Band will be leading lodges and bands from across the city on its annual procession.

After leaving Carlisle Circus, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the City Hall before the parade, cheered on by spectators lining the route, makes it’s way through south Belfast to the field at Barnett’s Demense.

A service of thanksgiving is due to start at 2.30pm followed by the platform proceedings when the 90th anniversary of the Armistice — when the guns fell silent in World War One — will be acknowledged.

Tandragee is hosting a flagship demonstration which will feature the sound of 100 Lambeg drums.

More than 5,000 Orangemen are expected to attend the event in the Co Armagh town and the parade will be led by Scottish visitors the Imperial Blues Flute Band.

A ring ceremony is due to take place in the Square at 9am tomorrow and 11 districts taking part in the parade will proceed to the field at Old Scarva Road.

Coleraine’s demonstration includes a carnival pageant which will feature an Ulster Scots float, King Billy on horseback and Chinese lion dancers as well as an African samba band.

Hosted by Macosquin No 8 District lodge, the Orange parade will leave the Ballycastle Road at noon and will make its way to the field at Carthall Road where a children’s playground will be set up.

And in Dromara, tomorrow’s demonstration will be the highlight of the Co Down village’s Ulster Scots Festival.

Grand Master Robert Saulters will be addressing those gathered at the field on the Rathfriland Road and around 90 lodges are set to take part in the parade.

King William will lead the procession as it makes its way from the Banbridge Road at noon. Other Twelfth demonstrations will be taking place at Maghera, Kesh, Ballyclare, Omagh, Benburb, Aughnacloy, Derriaghy, Ballymena, Broughshane, Portavogie, Cullybackey, Kilkeel, Newcastle and Rasharkin.

Public holiday timetable for travellers

MOTORISTS across Northern Ireland were today warned by police to drive safely during the busy Twelfth celebrations.

The PSNI has said with more vehicles expected on the roads this weekend there are opportunities for collisions to occur.

Meanwhile, commuters are being warned to expect a number of changes to bus and rail services.

A Public Holiday timetable will operate on Saturday 12 and 14 July for Metro Services. July 13 will be a normal Sunday service.

The annual procession will start at approximately 10am from Clifton Street, Belfast. During the procession there will be temporary departure points in the City Centre and Metro services will be subject to diversions.

Laganside Station will be closed between July 12 to 14 and buses will depart from Europa Bus Centre.

Ulsterbus are also warning passengers that due to the parade being held in Newcastle, services operating to and from Kilkeel will be subject to delays and/or cancellations on July 12.

Services operating to and from Belfast and Castlewellan from Newcastle are also subject to delays and possible diversions.

A Saturday timetable will be in operation on Monday 14 July and Tuesday 15 for NI Railways and Enterprise Services.

For further information contact Translink Call Centre on 028 9066 6630.