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Event Information:
Orange walks are a series of parades
held annually by members of the
Orange Order during the summer in
Northern Ireland, to a lesser extent
in Scotland, and occasionally in
England, the Republic of Ireland,
and throughout the Commonwealth.
These typically build up to the 12
July celebrations which mark Prince
William of Orange's victory over
King James II at the Battle of the
Boyne in 1690. Although the term
'march' or 'parade' is widely used
in the media, the Order prefers
terms such as 'walk' or
'demonstration'.
The
'marching season' generally refers
to the months April to August in
Northern Ireland and includes
marches by groups such as the
Ancient Order of Hibernians, the
Apprentice Boys of Derry, and the
Royal Black Institution as well as
the Orange Order. The Orange Order
however, is by far the most prolific
marching group. Typically each
Orange Lodge will hold its own march
at some point before the 12th of
July, accompanied by at least one
marching band. On the 12th of July
each district will hold a larger
parade consisting of all the lodges
in that district, sometimes with the
addition of lodges from outside
Northern Ireland. This is
particularly the case with the
Belfast district, whose parade
commonly features several Scottish
lodges and often some from other
countries. In most districts the
location of the parade will vary
from year to year, rotating around
suitable towns. Belfast is an
exception, keeping more or less the
same route for many decades. The
only major parade after the Twelfth
is on the last Sunday in October,
when lodges celebrate Reformation
Day by parading to church.
Parading Orangemen usually wear dark
suits, although in particularly warm
weather they may dispense with the
jacket. Until recently bowler hats
were commonly worn but this is more
unusual now. Walkers will wear
V-shaped orange collarettes (often
inaccurately known as sashes)
bearing the number of their lodge
and often badges showing degrees
awarded within the institution, and
positions held in the lodge. Some
lodge officers also wear elaborate
cuffs, and many walkers wear white
gloves, although this is less common
than it used to be. Most lodges
carry at least one flag, of which
the most common is the Union Flag.
Other commonly carried flags include
the Ulster Banner, the Flag of
Scotland and the Orange Order flag.
Lodges will generally also carry a
banner, which will include the name
and number of the lodge, and usually
depicts William of Orange on at
least one side. Other popular banner
subjects include deceased lodge
members, local landmarks, and the
Bible with a Crown.
Orange
walks were once common throughout
the island of Ireland, especially on
the 12th of July. However, since
partition those in the Republic of
Ireland have dwindled in number,
partly because of local antagonism
and partly because of the decline in
the Protestant population of the
Republic. The last walk in Dublin
was in 1937 and the only remaining
walk in the Republic takes place at
Rossnowlagh, County Donegal, near
the border with Northern Ireland.
Orange walks continue in in
Scotland, across the country, but
overwhelmingly concentrated in
Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire,
Renfrewshire and West Lothian. The
walks have on occasion been
associated with sectarian behaviour
on the part of spectators
Local
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