Yesterday was the Twelfth of July and the same as the Eleventh Night when bonfires were lit across Ulster, The Twelfth is a big celebration and the main event where the Orange Order members and bands marched in towns and villages in Northern Ireland.

Check out my previous post if you haven't seen the Eleventh Night. The bonfires are massive. Maybe you haven't seen one.

Our hat is ready!

We get up early but the kids don't want to get up yet so we were late than expected. My son went with his friends to watch the parade.

And Tia look, she's dressed for the occasion!

Those who look at her, especially the elderly smile so big telling her that she's so cute and her outfit is lovely!

The main parade is in the next town which is Ballygowan. Everyone will surely be there. I thought we are early enough but no because as you can see the place is full already. People flock in early and got the VIP seats with their chairs and some brought picnic blankets and sat nicely ready to watch the parade.

I took this before the parade starts. Tia in a full smile!

You can imagine how many people were there yesterday as those photos are only where we are. And the marching goes for miles so everyone in the town can watch. So every street is full. Just like that.

We waited more than 2 hours for the parade and we didn't bring chairs or anything. I should know next time. It's just that couple of years that it's not this big because of The Pandemic so I already forgot how will this be like.

And the parade has begun when we see King Billy(Slang for William) on his horse and everyone started waving at him.

History

Irish Protestants celebrate The Twelfth or Glorious Twelfth on the July 12th of July every year to commemorate Protestant King William of Orange's victory over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne.