Parading Traditions in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a complicated and violent history. The parades of the Marching Season, the first two weeks of July, are an annual reminder of over 300 years of political and religious contention. The parades---really political marches---are done by the "Orangemen," a group of Unionist Protestants. Marching Season culminates on July 12, the day commemorating the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
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History
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Between 1607 to 1688, the English displaced many Irish Catholics from their homes and gave them to Protestants. A move, known as the Ulster Plantation, took place when the North of Ireland became the stopping grounds, not only for English, but also Scottish laborers, ex-soldiers, and others that had been displaced by the English. In 1641, Irish chiefs assembled and made a feeble attempt to revolt, causing much bloodshed against the English. In 1649, under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell, the English army destroyed Ireland, massacring Catholics and implementing the tenant system. In this system, the majority of Irish land was owned by English Protestant immigrants.
William of Orange
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In 1688, Catholic King James II, was displaced from the British throne by William of Orange, a Protestant. King James came to Ireland to rally support and reclaim his throne. There started a civil war between Irish Jacobites, who were for King James, and Williamites, who were for William of Orange. King James made an attempt to take the town of Derry in 1689, but was met by a band of Protestants and thus began the 105-day Siege of Derry. The siege ended when William defeated King James on July 12, 1690, at the Battle of the Boyne.
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The Orange Order
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The Orange Order is a fraternal organization founded in 1796. The order is intended to be for the promotion of "Biblical Protestantism," but is often associated with political and religious divisiveness. The members of the Orange Order hold annual parades during what is called "Marching Season." The Twelfth, as the holiday of July 12 is called, commemorates the Battle of the Boyne, in which William of Orange defeated King James and sent him into exile.
Parades
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During the Marching Season, the Orangemen parade through the streets of Northern Ireland, wearing orange jackets, orange sashes, and bowler hats. Sometimes these parades are purposely routed through predominantly Catholic communities and have been known to cause some severe civil disturbances. Since 2005, the disturbances have become minimal. The parades typically begin at one of the Orange Halls, and end at a church.
Bonfires
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Typical of the Marching Season, is the sight of massive bonfires being erected throughout the cities and countryside of Northern Ireland. Some are huge piles of scrap wood and furniture, others are massive stacks of wooden crates. The most audacious are those that set Ireland's tri-color flag at the top of the bonfire. These bonfires are lit the eve of the Twelfth. Some of the bonfires can reach 40 to 50 feet high. The ones along Ormeau Road in Belfast have been known to melt the asphalt on the street.
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References
- Photo Credit Bonfire image by togepi from Fotolia.com
