Orange Order Parade Belfast

[eanach1]

Well so I witnessed my first Orange Parade today in Belfast. They reported that up to 30,000 marchers were expected as it is a coming together of all the unionists, loyalists and what nots, and I'm inclined to believe it as there seemed no end to them. I had to cross the road and ran between the marchers on Donegall Sq in front of City Hall which apparently you are not supposed to do. I almost replied 'It's a free country' but then it's not, is it.
Every Irish person should experience it at some point, and you'll be even more grateful for the 26 counties we at least have.

[Saoirse go Deo]

PC rulings have been breached already in Carrick hill, they played the Sash, Billy Boys and other assorted tunes... it's the return leg when they are all locked that will be violent if there is to be violence.

[Saoirse go Deo]

Short Strand will be the flare up point... they made a big point of playing sectarian songs outside St Matthews

[eanach1]

I well believe it. Even one of those guys selling newspapers from the Belfast Telegraph trolley was drumming and banging on it and continued to do so after he got a dirty look.

They have a special festival in Stormont this evening to celebrate so maybe it will pan out differently this time if it pivots around that.

[5intheface]

Just added a post to the blog on the subject of the Covenant itself.

http://itsapoliticalworld.wordpress....of-confidence/

[Sam Lord]

Who said that the speeches of Orangemen reminded him of "the unrolling of a mummy. All old bones and rotten rags."?

[Holly]

Everything seems to have gone off without a hitch.

[Apjp]

If it was up to this group the we would all still be a subject race of the British Empire.

[Apjp]

Well so I witnessed my first Orange Parade today in Belfast. They reported that up to 30,000 marchers were expected as it is a coming together of all the unionists, loyalists and what nots, and I'm inclined to believe it as there seemed no end to them. I had to cross the road and ran between the marchers on Donegall Sq in front of City Hall which apparently you are not supposed to do. I almost replied 'It's a free country' but then it's not, is it.
Every Irish person should experience it at some point, and you'll be even more grateful for the 26 counties we at least have.

I actually attended some orangeman's talk in Dublin once. He talked about how the South was well on the way to discussing commonwealth membership. Wouldn't make me hurry up to see thousands of them at it.

[Trow]

Poor turn out 100 years on. Compared to the 100's of thousands who actually signed the Covenant.
Fact is the original header page signed by Carson and other Unionists is not in the hands of Unionism anymore. It will never be seen again.

Attempts were made to stook up tensions ahead of yesterdays parade by elements within the UVF in Belfast but it backfired on them. Wonder what attitudes will prevail in another 100 years?

[5intheface]

Among the great and the good enjoying the wholesome family day out was BNP leader Nick Griffin who took the opportunity to again refuse to apologise for using the term 'fenian' on his twitter feed;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19777479

Who'd a thought anyone could lower the tone of the day?

[fluffybiscuits]

Among the great and the good enjoying the wholesome family day out was BNP leader Nick Griffin who took the opportunity to again refuse to apologise for using the term 'fenian' on his twitter feed;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19777479

Who'd a thought anyone could lower the tone of the day?

Going to ask him for a direct response on twitter,a full apology should be issued. Thankfully he was hounded out of colleges here when he tried to debate.