Huge crowd of spectators line the route for the Twelfth March in Killyleagh
• Orange Order Grand Master Harold Henning sends a message for the Twelfth
• Worshipful Brother and Lecale District Master, Jonny Jackson, was overwhelmed by the huge turnout on the Twelfth
Orange Order men and women and juniors were out in force over the Twelfth across County Down with demonstrations in Killyleagh, Rathfriland, Ballymartin, Royal Hillsborough and Ballywalter.
Speaking in his hometown of Rathfriland, Co. Down, new Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. Harold Henning said: “I have been an Orangeman and Bandsman practically all my life. The sights and sounds of days like this form some of my earliest memories.
“For tens of thousands of people in this country, our cultural traditions are a way of life. Families are steeped in this tradition and that heritage is one which we much cherish and protect.
“In Psalm 16 verse 6, King David writes “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage”
“When we look out from this field today upon the Mourne mountains and the splendour of creation, we can surely say that we dwell in a pleasant land.
“When we see our culture on display on days like this, we can also say with assurance that we do indeed have a great heritage – the paintings on our banners bear testament to that fact.
“In every corner of Ulster, we have Orange Lodges and bands – each one plays an important part in the community life of their respective areas.
“And while with our biggest day with over 1,000 lodges and hundreds of bands on parade at 18 venues today, don’t forget that our cultural heritage is much more that a once-a-year occurrence.
“Sometimes, it’s easy to feel disheartened. Our community has borne the brunt of many disappointments over the years and sometimes our heads can go down.
“And yet, despite what our enemies may wish for, days like this prove that our Orange family remains strong, vibrant and ready to face the future.
“As Unionists, we of course have many concerns about a range of political and social issues. The still unresolved outworkings of Brexit in this part of the United Kingdom must be addressed by our government. The citizens of Northern Ireland should no longer be deprived of the same rights as our fellow citizens in Great Britain.
“A popular Unionist slogan in the past was – ‘British Citizens Demand British Rights’.
“We stand by that demand today and ask nothing more than that Northern Ireland is recognised and respected as a truly integral part of the United Kingdom – not left in limbo dealing with the complexities of European regulations and laws which continue to create difficulties for the movement of goods into Northern Ireland.
“The Glorious Revolution, which we continue to celebrate today, created a system of constitutional democracy in which the liberty and rights of the people were placed above the power of an absolute Monarch.
The principles of that revolution were to inspire many British settlers in the American colonies less than a century later to take a stand for what they believed was the withholding of their British rights.
“This year we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. Whilst some may see that as somewhat contradictory, that story is one which is full of links to Ulster and our people, who in many cases were central in the campaign to see the full restoration of British rights to British citizens in the colonies.
“As an Institution, we firmly believe that Northern Ireland’s future remains best served as an integral part of the United Kingdom.
Economically, socially and politically – despite its shortcomings, the Union remains something that we will strive to maintain and develop for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.”
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DOWN NEWS PHOTOS FROM THE TWELFTH IN KILLYLEAGH 1
DOWN NEWS PHOTOS FROM THE TWELFTH IN KILLYLEAGH 2
DOWN NEWS PHOTOS FROM THE TWELFTH IN KILLYLEAGH 3
The Twelfth in Killyleagh
Jonny Jackson, Worshipful Brother and Lecale District Master, said he was really “overwhelmed” by the huge response to the demonstration in Kilyleagh.
He said: “This was a very memorable event. The weather was absolutely brilliant and crowds lined the route from the Assembly Field in Shrigley out to the Demonstration Field past the football club on the Comber Road.
“It was just an unbelievable experience to see so many people there enjoying the Twelfth. It was beyond my expectations.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped make this event such a tremendous success, especially the many volunteers, the bands, the lodges, and everyone who helped out, and especially the public who came along to enjoy this great spectacle.
“This must be the biggest event in our district. It is community focussed and is something we can build on. A lot of very hard work went into putting it all together and it all paid off.
“We do however need support for this major event and perhaps our council can help out in some way to add to the overall experience.
“So I’d just like once again to thank everyone for their help in making this event such a success.”
Lecale District LOL No.2 hosted the Twelfth in Killyleagh.
Five District Lodges took part – Lecale, Saintfield, Castlewellan, Comber, and Ballynahinch, accompanied by 37 Bands.
The parade was led by The William Savage Memorial Flute Band, accompanied by County Grand Master, Rt. Wor. Bro. Kyle McIlwrath, the Officers of Lecale District and the Brethren from Toye and Killyleagh Lodges.
The outward parade commenced at 12 noon from the Assembly Field on Shrigley Road, opposite Killyleagh Primary School and worked it way around the streets of Killyleagh and went out the Comber Road to the Demonstration Field. The paradfe returned on its route at 4pm.
Scottish dancers performed in front of Killyleagh Castle and Willie Drennan and his Band provided musical entertainment in the Demonstration Field where inflatables and other free activities were set out for the children.
This year, Clough LOL 1043 had their new Banner on display during the parade. And Sisters and Daughters of Ruth WLOL 185 and Salsburgh True Blues LOL 26 from Scotland will be taking part as guests of Inch LOL 430.
The Platform proceedings will be led by Wor. Bro. Jonny Jackson, District Master; Rt. Wor. Bro. Kyle McIlwrath, County Grand Master and Wor. Bro. Robin Fairbairn, Deputy Grand Chaplain.
A charity collection took place on the day for Air Ambulance NI in Memory of Bro. Callum McVeigh, a member of Raffrey Faith Defenders LOL 1115 and Inch Flute Band.
DOWN NEWS PHOTOS FROM THE TWELFTH IN KILLYLEAGH 1
