The Twelfth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Twelfth |
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Orangemen parading in Bangor, 12 July 2010
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| Also called | Orangemen's Day |
| Observed by | Orange Order and many Irish Protestants |
| Significance | Celebration of the Glorious Revolution (1688) and victory of William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne (1690) |
| Celebrations | Parading, bonfires, erecting flags and bunting |
| Date | 12 July |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | The Eleventh Night |
The Twelfth is a special day celebrated mostly by Ulster Protestants on 12 July. It's also known as Orangemen's Day. This celebration started in the late 1700s in Ulster, which is a part of Ireland. It remembers important historical events. These include the Glorious Revolution in 1688 and the victory of Protestant King William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. This battle was against Catholic King James II. William's win helped make sure Protestants had a strong position in Ireland.
On and around The Twelfth, big parades are held by the Orange Order. These parades often include Ulster loyalist marching bands. Streets are decorated with flags and colorful banners. Also, huge bonfires are lit in some neighborhoods the night before. Today, The Twelfth is mainly celebrated in Northern Ireland, where it is a public holiday. Smaller celebrations also happen in other countries where the Orange Order has groups.
Since it began, The Twelfth has sometimes seen disagreements between Protestants and Catholics. This was especially true during times of political tension. Many Protestants see The Twelfth as a key part of their culture. However, some Catholic Irish nationalists feel parts of it are unfair or show too much pride in one group's victory. For example, burning Irish flags on bonfires and Orange marches going through Catholic areas have caused problems. The Drumcree conflict is a well-known example of disputes about these marches. While there was more tension during the Troubles, most events today happen peacefully. Recently, efforts have been made to invite tourists to the main parades. They want to show them as fun, family-friendly events.
If 12 July falls on a Sunday, the parades are held on the next Monday, 13 July, instead.
Contents
How The Twelfth Started
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The Orange Order remembers events from the 1600s. These events celebrate the continued strength of Protestantism in Ireland. They recall the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and the win in the Williamite War in Ireland (1689–91). Early celebrations were on 23 October, marking the 1641 rebellion. Another was on 4 November, the birthday of William of Orange. Both of these dates became less popular by the late 1700s.
The Twelfth itself first celebrated the Battle of Aughrim. This battle happened on 12 July 1691. Aughrim was a very important battle in the Williamite war. The main Irish Catholic army was defeated there. The Battle of the Boyne (fought on 1 July 1690) was also remembered with smaller parades. But these two events were combined in the late 1700s. One reason was that Britain changed its calendar in 1752. This moved the Battle of the Boyne's date to 11 July on the new calendar.
The second reason was the start of the Orange Order in 1795. The Order preferred to focus on the Battle of the Boyne. This was because King William of Orange was there. The Order's first marches were on 12 July 1796. They took place in Portadown, Lurgan, and Waringstown. In the early 1800s, these parades often led to public disorder. Because of this, the Orange Order and The Twelfth were banned for some years.
What Happens on The Twelfth?
Getting Ready for The Twelfth
In the weeks before The Twelfth, Orange Order groups and other loyalist marching bands hold many parades. These happen across Northern Ireland. Often, one Orange group marches with one band. Other events, like the "mini-Twelfth" in early July, involve several groups.
From June to August, Protestant areas in Northern Ireland are decorated. They are covered with flags and colorful bunting. These are usually hung from lampposts and houses. The most common flags are the Union Jack and the Ulster Banner. Sometimes, kerbstones are painted red, white, and blue. Murals (wall paintings) may also be made. Large arches made of steel or wood are put up over some streets. These "Orange arches" are decorated with flags and Orange symbols.
Sometimes, flags of illegal loyalist groups are flown in certain areas. When these flags are put up near Catholic neighborhoods, it can cause tension. This can sometimes lead to arguments.
Eleventh Night Bonfires
On the night before The Twelfth, called the "Eleventh Night," huge bonfires are lit. These towering fires are in many working-class Protestant neighborhoods. Local young men and boys build them using wooden pallets and lumber. This building happens in the weeks leading up to The Twelfth. Lighting the bonfires often comes with a street party and a loyalist marching band.
Some Eleventh Night events have been criticized for causing problems. They can be seen as unfair to other groups. They can also cause damage and pollution. Each year, Irish flags are burned on many bonfires. Sometimes, pictures of Irish nationalist figures or Catholic symbols are also burned. During the Troubles, loyalist groups used these events to show their power. Some bonfires are still controlled by members of these groups. However, not all bonfires cause problems. There have been efforts to make bonfire events more family-friendly and better for the environment. Some bonfires are also criticized for not being built safely.
Main Parades
The main way The Twelfth is celebrated is with large parades. These parades involve Orangemen and their supporting bands. Most of the parades are in Ulster. They are almost always held in Northern Ireland and County Donegal. Orange groups in other countries also hold parades. The parade usually starts at an Orange Hall. It then goes through the town or city to a large park or field. There, marchers, their families, and the public gather. They eat, drink, and listen to speeches. These speeches are given by religious leaders, politicians, and senior members of the Orange Order. A church service is also held. Sometimes, band prizes are given out.
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Northern Ireland has a long tradition of Protestant and loyalist marching bands. These bands can be found in most towns. The Orangemen hire these bands to march with them on The Twelfth. A special instrument used in these marches is the Lambeg drum. Popular songs include "The Sash" and "Derry's Walls".
Most marchers are men. But there are some all-women bands and a few mixed bands. Some all-male bands have women carrying flags or banners. There are also Women's Orange Lodges that take part in the parades. Orangewomen have marched in some rural areas since the mid-1900s. However, they were not allowed in the Belfast parades until the 1990s.
Orangemen in parades usually wear a dark suit, an Orange sash, white gloves, and a bowler hat. Some carry a special ceremonial sword. In hot weather, many groups wear short-sleeved shirts. Orangewomen do not have a set dress code, but they usually dress formally. The supporting bands each have their own uniforms and colors. Both the Orangemen and the bands carry detailed banners. These banners show Orange heroes, historical or religious scenes, or political symbols. The most popular image is King William of Orange crossing the River Boyne during the famous battle.
After the speeches, some groups and bands put on funny outfits. They wear these for the return journey. The mood is generally more relaxed then.
The parades in Northern Ireland and County Donegal get a lot of local TV and newspaper coverage. The BBC Northern Ireland show The Twelfth is the longest-running live broadcast in Northern Ireland.
One of the biggest Orange parades each year is in Rossnowlagh. This is a small village in County Donegal. County Donegal is one of the Ulster counties in the Republic of Ireland. So, the Rossnowlagh parade is the only major Orange event in the Republic. Some smaller Orange events also happen each year in East Donegal.
The Twelfth Around the World
While The Twelfth is mostly an Ulster event, it is also celebrated in other countries. These countries have strong links to Ulster or a history of settlement by Irish Protestants. Outside of Northern Ireland, The Twelfth is remembered in Scotland. This is especially true in and around Glasgow, where many Irish immigrants settled. In England and Wales, Orange marches are not as common. Orange Order members are mainly found in the Merseyside region. Marches there tend to be held a week or so before The Twelfth. This is because many bands and groups travel to Northern Ireland to march there. The Liverpool groups parade in the city and in Southport on 12 July.
There are also Twelfth marches in Canada and Australia. The Twelfth March in Toronto was the longest-running parade in North America. It started in 1821. It used to be the biggest parade in Toronto. Thousands of Orangemen would march in front of tens of thousands of people. This continued until the 1970s. At that time, being a member of the Orange Order was almost a requirement for holding public office. However, the parade's popularity has greatly decreased. Today, only about 500 people take part in modern Orange parades there. Orangemen's Day is still a public holiday for government workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, a Canadian province.
Recently, more people have joined the Orange Order in Australia. An annual Twelfth of July parade is now held in Adelaide. Parades were also held in New Zealand on The Twelfth in the past. Also, there was a big parade in Benidorm (Spain) in 2023.
Before Ireland was divided in the early 1920s, Protestants in many parts of Ireland celebrated The Twelfth. But now, Protestants have less political influence in what is the Republic of Ireland. This means the only major annual parade left in the Republic is at Rossnowlagh, County Donegal. This parade was held on The Twelfth until the 1970s. Then it was moved to the weekend before. In the rest of Ireland, outside of Ulster, there are no major Orange events.
In July 2010, a former Irish politician named Michael McDowell said that The Twelfth should be a national holiday in the Republic of Ireland too.
See also
In Spanish: Día de los Orangemen para niños
- Banners in Northern Ireland
- Culture of Ireland
- Orange walk
- Parades in Northern Ireland
