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The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland ‘Twelfth Special’ digital publication, which was launched ahead of this year’s Boyne Anniversary celebrations, has already been viewed by thousands of people.
The Institution launched its ‘Twelfth Special’ - a 57-page preview of the Twelfth celebrations, featuring details of all venues and a series of articles on Orange history and culture – late in June.
It also includes maps of the route and details of facilities at each of the venues.
The ‘Twelfth Special’ can be downloaded from the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland website – www.goli.org.uk/thetwelfth2023
There will be 18 parades across at venues across Northern Ireland as the Orange Family marks the 333rd anniversary of King William III’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne on Wednesday, 12th of July.
Grand Master Most Wor. Bro. Edward Stevenson explained that the growing number of visitors travelling to Northern Ireland each summer to both participate in and spectate at the Twelfth parades, was the driving force behind the project.
“Our Twelfth of July parades annually attract hundreds of thousands of spectators and participants to cities, towns and villages across Northern Ireland,” he said.
“Year-on-year we have been experiencing a growing number of enquiries from members of the Orange Institution overseas and the general public who were seeking further details of the Twelfth parades.
“To assist them we have prepared a ‘Twelfth Special’ which can be downloaded from the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland website giving details of all the venues, articles on the history, heritage and culture associated with the Twelfth.
“We believe this digital publication will be of great benefit to local people and visitors alike as they make their plans to enjoy the Twelfth.
“There has already been great interest with thousands of people already visiting the page to access their ‘Twelfth Special’.”
The 18 demonstrations on Wednesday, 12 July 2023, will be held in: Ballinamallard, Ballycastle, Ballymena, Bangor, Belfast, Broughshane, Clogher, Coleraine, Comber, Dromore (Co. Tyrone), Dungannon, Kilkeel, Loughbrickland, Lurgan, Magherafelt, Portglenone, Randalstown, Upper Ballinderry.
The Twelfth demonstrations will follow the traditional Rossnowlagh parade held in the Republic of Ireland on the preceding weekend. This year the annual Donegal procession takes place on Saturday, 8th July.