Loyalist bonfires don't have to be inflammatory in a united Ireland

Sam McBride, Sunday Independent and Sunday Life, July 6th, 2025

Across Northern Ireland, scores of bonfires are growing higher by the day. On Friday night they'll be lit to burn furiously, and will be smouldering as light comes up on unionism's high day: the Twelfth of July.

It's a tradition rich in history, harking back to the time when flaming beacons on hillsides spread the news of William of Orange's advance towards the Boyne from Carrickfergus, where he had landed in June 1690. Yet it's a tradition with two flaws: the foulest sectarianism and extreme danger.

Many bonfires — especially rural ones — are neither bigoted nor dangerous. They are small community events which might be exclusively Protestant, but are not designed to intimidate. It's something that happens because in the memory of everyone present it has always happened and they enjoy it.

Such gatherings rarely make the headlines, any more than would cars that arrive safely at their destinations.

But for years, other bonfires — many involving paramilitary control — have come to encapsulate loyalism's lost direction. They're deliberately defiant, but the defiance is purposeless.

The rage is directed vaguely towards republicans, nationalists, Catholics, the Alliance Party, even some unionists — almost anyone is a legitimate target for fury. It's inchoate and often ugly. Politicians' posters and flags are burnt; grossly sectarian slogans such as "Kill all Taigs” are not infrequently scrawled. A fortnight ago, a sign at an east Belfast bonfire said Catholics would be "crucified”.

Some of these bonfires are yards from houses; with a logic that isn't easily explicable, the fire service will stand with their backs to the fire, hosing down the roofs of nearby houses that otherwise would catch light.

Windows and doors are boarded up but sometimes this isn't enough and houses are engulfed in flames. Tyres are still sometimes burnt, cancerously poisoning the air of the very people who build the pyres.

Where there has been no progress is in the height of these dismissive salutes to the rest of society. Architecturally, many of these pallet structures are stunning edifices that stretch to the heavens. They showcase genuine skill of young men who demonstrate dedication and intense pride in their work.

Double edged torch

But such pride is a double-edged sword. A number of these bonfires are getting bigger and bigger, as social media competition spurs one group to outdo another. Last year the highest structure was 64 metres tall. They are deathtraps. It is like modifying a Ford Fiesta to travel at 180mph — it demonstrates amazing skill, but is insanely dangerous.

Already, people have died from this craze; the most recent fatality was three years ago when a bonfire builder fell to his death in Larne. Less than a mile away, his death did nothing to curb the enthusiasm of bonfire builders who constructed a far taller edifice than the one from which he fell.

Within the last five years, a youth broke multiple bones and punctured a lung after falling from a bonfire in Newtownards; a teenager had 40pc of their body burnt while pouring petrol on a bonfire in Belfast; and a teen was airlifted to hospital from another bonfire.

A few years earlier, a pensioner and a child had to be rescued from their homes on the Shankill Road after a huge bonfire destroyed three houses. ​

However, there is the potential for a far greater tragedy. When the towering structures are lit, crowds — which include young people, some of them intoxicated — mingle around their base in the darkness.

If one of these infernos were to collapse on to a crowd, the results would be devastating.

Unionist politicians are the only political leaders who have some credibility with these people to rein in the madness. They could reassure them that they won't stop bonfires but can make them far safer.

For now, this is solely a problem for Northern Ireland — but if Irish unity was to come and it was unresolved, it would be a problem for the whole island, with the likelihood of loyalist defiance being expressed through vast flaming structures — and the threat of rioting if they were dismantled.

Feile an Phobail precedent

That's the negative view of this problem. The corollary is that if the sectarianism and safety issues could be addressed — which demonstrably they could be, given that at many bonfires they've never been an issue — this tradition has so much potential to help a poorly understood part of Northern Ireland take pride in itself and explain what it is to outsiders.

In west Belfast, Sinn Féin adopted a different approach to the growing problem of anti-internment bonfires.

It set up the Féile an Phobail, which has become a huge community festival that now brings outsiders into an area from which they once felt excluded. That approach is unlikely to work with loyalism. Its bonfires have far deeper historical roots and are more geographically spread. ​

Controlling rather than eradicating these fires could help all of society — which every July grapples with weeks of tension around the worst offenders — but it would especially help loyalists themselves.

Norway's midsummer eve bonfire festival is an example of how this can be done, and how such spectacles can become a tourist attraction.

Many working-class loyalist areas are among the most deprived in Northern Ireland; bringing in tourists would not only bring much needed money, but would help articulate the loyalist story.

So why isn't there a single unionist politician campaigning on an issue which could not only benefit these areas, but save loyalist lives?

Thousands attend annual Orange Order parade in Co Donegal village

Christopher Woodhouse, Sunday Life, July 6th, 2025

A top Orangeman has said the Orange Order “hasn't gone away” as thousands of members took part in the annual Rossnowlagh parade in Co Donegal.

The march through the seaside village is one of the headline demonstrations ahead of the main Twelfth events in a week's time.

Members of the Order from lodges across the island of Ireland made the journey accompanied by bandsmen to commemorate the victory of King William at the Battle of the Boyne.

Despite the weather, marchers also made the most of the unique setting with ice-creams and a stroll along a very breezy beach.

The gathering was addressed by assistant grand master Worthington McGrath.

He said the turnout showed the “special resonance” the Rossnowlagh event has for the Orange fraternity and proved predictors of the demise of the Order wrong.

“I would like to pay tribute to the brethren of County Donegal Grand Lodge for their tireless efforts once again, in organising and hosting a terrific event, which culminates in our Christian witness and fellowship here today,” he said.

“We may be separated by a political boundary — but we are one people, united in our love of the reformed Protestant faith and our proud history, culture and traditions.

“The Orange tradition is often maligned and criticised as irrelevant in today's modern and, sadly, increasingly secular society,” added Mr McGrath.

“Our detractors have been forecasting our demise for decades, brethren and friends — and yet here today, once again, we have proven them wrong. A parade full of colour, full of great bands and awash with members of all ages.

TRADITION

“Disappointing as it will be to some, we most certainly have not gone away, and we have no intention of doing so in the future, certainly not in this beautiful corner of Donegal, or indeed throughout the rest of this jurisdiction.

“Whether you are a member with 60 years of service or a newly initiated young Orangeman, please remember that this is your institution.”

Mr McGrath said the Rossnowlagh parade was the “shop window for the very best of Orangeism”.

“The colour, the pageantry, the tradition, the family and friends — coming together to celebrate our shared identity — that is what this day here in Rossnowlagh is all about.

“It is not offensive, it is not confrontational or controversial. This day is a celebration of the rights and liberties secured by the Glorious Revolution which are enjoyed by all members of society.”

He added: “As we meet here today, and on Saturday, July 12, we must never forget why we parade, the messages which adorn our banners and most importantly our shared Christian heritage.”

Yesterday also saw a large turnout for Orange parades through the city of Glasgow with more than 3,000 taking part in the largest annual Orange event in Scotland.

Anniversary

This year's Twelfth will see bands and marchers take to the streets next Saturday at 18 locations across all six of Northern Ireland's counties to mark the 335th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

Dundonald will host a Twelfth demonstration for the first time in more than 50 years, as it has been named among the venues for this year's Twelfth of July celebrations.

Other venues across Northern Ireland hosting parades include Belfast, Ballymena, Kesh, Coleraine, Keady, Coagh, Sixmilecross, Augher, Dromara, Dundrum, Kilkeel, Cullybackey, Rasharkin, Carnlough, Lisburn, Glengormley and Maghera.

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Four hit with ‘air weapon pellets’ during Orange Order parade in Glasgow

By Lucinda Cameron, Belfast News Letter, July 6th, 2025

Police are investigating after four people taking part in an Orange Order walk were hit with what are believed to be air weapon pellets.

The procession was passing along Sauchiehall Street near Kelvingrove Street in Glasgow when the incident happened on Saturday.

Police said no-one was seriously injured but condemned the “dangerous occurrence” and said investigations were continuing.

Elsewhere, four people were arrested following Orange Order processions in Lanarkshire on Saturday.

The parades were part of celebrations for the County Grand Orange Lodge of Glasgow and Orange Lodges in Lanarkshire to remember the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

In Glasgow, thousands of participants marched from different parts of the city and converged in the centre for a parade to Glasgow Green before returning to where they started later in the day.

Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan, event commander for the annual Boyne processions in Glasgow and Lanarkshire, said: “Police in Lanarkshire made four arrests following the Orange Order procession on Saturday July 5 2025.

“The offences were primarily for breach of the peace and acts of anti-social behaviour.

“There were no arrests at the event in Glasgow, however, we are investigating an incident on Sauchiehall Street near to Kelvingrove Street in Glasgow, where four participants in the procession were struck by what was believed to be air weapon pellets.

“Thankfully, no-one was seriously injured and our enquiries into this dangerous occurrence are ongoing.

“A proportionate policing plan was in place, and we worked with a range of partners to ensure public safety and reduce disruption to the wider community.

“I would like to thank the vast majority of the participants, and the wider community, who engaged positively and behaved responsibly throughout.”

‘Very existence' of the UK at risk over Windsor Framework - Allister tells Scots at Glasgow Twelfth

By David Thompson, Belfast News Letter, July 6th, 2025

The very substance and existence of the United Kingdom is at risk because of the Windsor Framework, which is a “a deliberate building block for Irish unity”, Jim Allister has said.

The TUV leader addressed Orangemen at the ‘Glasgow Twelfth’ parade on Saturday – saying anyone worthy of the name unionist rejects the post-Brexit trade and rights deal “in all its parts”.

Mr Allister appealed for support from Scottish citizens, who he said recognise the threat to the Union because they too “live under the blight of a separatist First Minister”.

The Scottish demonstration is a precursor to Saturday’s main Twelfth demonstrations across Northern Ireland.

The North Antrim MP said the constitutional basis of the UK has been “trashed” by the Windsor Framework, “because it fetters trade with NI by establishing an EU border to entrap NI within its territory and control”.

Governed by EU rules

“Whereas England, Scotland Wales left the EU, Northern Ireland was left behind under its Customs Code and in its Single market for goods, meaning in 300 areas of law we are governed by foreign laws we don’t make and can’t change. That is not just a democratic outrage, but a deliberate building block for Irish unity as NI is now governed in those 300 areas by the identical laws as the Republic of Ireland. And as these are the laws that shape our trade and economy they are inexorably building the stepping stone of an all-Ireland economy, which always was the intended design of the Windsor Framework.

“Hence, why anyone worthy of the name ‘unionist’ rejects the Windsor Framework in all its parts.

“In that rejection we ask for the support of our fellow citizens in Scotland who equally recognise threat to our Union when they see it, because you, like us, live under the blight of a separatist First Minister, though you are spared the obscenity of being told there was no alternative to the murder of your kith and kin.

“Going forward, there is common cause in rebuilding and restoring our Union, so that the natural affinity between Scotland and Northern Ireland - which is reflected in what we celebrate today - is accentuated, not blocked with preposterous trade barriers and the heavy hand of EU colonial rule, from which you have been spared, but by which we are still benighted.

“Your covenanting forefathers knew the strength and value of covenanting together to defend what mattered; may we together with determination covenant to not rest until all our nation is free of the foreign rule of Brussels diktats”, he said.

Omagh Pride: PSNI and Parades Commission on drag queen posing outside Gospel Hall

By Philip Bradfield, Belfast News Letter, July 6th, 2025

A gay right rights campaigner has urged Pride Parades not to become “occasions for disrespecting other minorities” after police and the Parades Commission investigated complaints about an event in Omagh.

Jeff Dudgeon was speaking after Omagh Pride parade organisers posted a photo online of a drag queen posing "provocatively" outside a Gospel Hall.

Unionists had said that similar behaviour by Loyal Orders outside a Catholic church, by comparison, would attract severe censure.

The Parades Commission code of conduct for all parades requires organisers to exercise sensitivity outside places of worship.

The row comes after the Omagh Pride parade posted a photo on its Facebook site of a drag queen posing outside Omagh Gospel Hall during the organisation's parade through the town on Saturday June 14th.

Former UUP councillor Jeff Dudgeon claimed that if a Loyal order parade had done similar outside a Catholic church, the media would have gone "demented" over the issue.

(He brought a legal challenge in 1981, which saw homosexuality decriminalised in Northern Ireland.)

TUV Equality Spokeswoman Anne McClure wrote to the Parades Commission and Chief Constable highlighting complaints about the drag queen posing “provocatively” at the gospel hall.

The Commission responded that it does not investigate such complaints, which are a matter for the PSNI, while police have now confirmed that "no offences" took place.

While the PSNI said it was initially looking into the matter, it declined to say what potential offences it was considering.

Potential offences under consideration in such cases could be, deviation from the notified parade route under the Public processions Act 1998, or an offence under the Malicious Communications Act 2003.

Disrespectful but no offence took place

However Chief Inspector Graham Dodds said no offence had taken place.

“This matter has now been fully reviewed by officers," he said. "As such, it has been determined no criminal offences have occurred. The Police Service of Northern Ireland will not be taking any further action in relation to this incident.”

Mr Dudgeon agreed that the conduct should not be criminalised - but urged the PSNI and media to adopt an "even handed" approach in future.

"I would concur with the police view that no criminal offence occurred," he said. "Offensive and foolish behaviour should not be criminalised, nor indeed should triumphalism.

"Pride events must not become occasions for disrespecting other minorities. I would hope the PSNI and media commentators, in future, adopt an even handed approach on such matters."

A TUV spokesman said it had written to the Chief Constable about the matter but has not yet received any response.

"However, it is beyond dispute that every parade in Northern Ireland is required to adhere to the standards of conduct laid down by the Parades Commission,” he said. “These include a requirement to show respect for places of worship.

"It is clear that at least one participant in Omagh Pride flagrantly ignored that obligation — and what is worse, his actions were actively promoted on Omagh Pride’s official Facebook page.

"No one seriously believes that if members of the Loyal Orders were involved in a similar act of disrespect outside a place of worship, they would not be pursued. Why, then, should Pride parades be treated as a special category of parade, exempt from the standards that apply to everyone else?”

Omagh Gospel Hall spokesman Tom Waterson offered only a biblical quote on the matter: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”