Just four short weeks out from this year’s Twelfth of July Demonstrations and the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has issued ‘everything you need to know’ advice surrounding the Newtownhamilton parades.
As the Twelfth falls on a Sunday this year, the Demonstration will be held on Monday, July 13.
The County Armagh Twelfth Demonstration is now firmly established as the largest Orange gathering in the world on the day and encompasses the full range of the Orange family, that can attract upwards of 20,000 spectators.
Eleven District Lodges will be on parade, with a total of 150 Private Lodges and over 5,000 Brethren; in addition, Lodges from the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland will take part, along with a number of Junior Boys and Junior Girls Lodges.
Around 70 bands will accompany the Lodges and some of the finest Pipe, Accordion, Silver and Flute Bands in the country will be on parade.
This year, there will be a new band on parade with Moyrourkan True Blues LOL 305a, leading their Junior Lodge.
There are always approximately four Scottish bands on parade at the Co Armagh demonstration and as the “County of the Diamond” is well-known for the Lambeg Drum, dozens will be accompanying the Lodges, especially if the weather is favourable.
The parade will commence at 10.20am at the Assembly Field on the Newry Road. Arrival at the Demonstration Field on Castleblayney Road will be 11am.
The parade route takes in the Assembly Field, Newry Road, Newry Street, Shambles Lane, The Commons, Armagh Street, Castleblayney Street and on to the Demonstration Field.
Platform proceedings will commence at 2pm with the return parade at 3pm.
Marlacoo Rising Star LOL 306, Tandragee District LOL No.4, is celebrating the 200th anniversary of its formation this year also, King William’s Defenders LOL 127, Parkmount, Portadown District LOL No.1, is marking the 135th anniversary of their Warrant this year. New banners from Kilcluney Temperance Volunteers LOL 132 and Drumnahuncheon Apprentice Boys LOL 371 will be on display.
Loughgall District LOL No.3 and Rockmacraney Temperance LOL 114 will have new bannerettes. Newly formed Loyal Daughters of Sloans JWLOL 35 will experience their first Twelfth this year.
In addition, bands within the County celebrating anniversaries this year include the Craigavon Protestant Boys Flute Band, Lurgan – 60 years, and the Star of David Accordion Band, Portadown – 50 years. On the platform, Most Wor. Bro. Joseph Magill, Grand Master, Junior Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland will bring fraternal greetings.
The County Grand Lodge has a new County bannerette this year, which was unfurled by the new Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Most Wor. Bro. Harold Henning and dedicated by Wor. Bro. Rev. William Anderson, Deputy County Grand Chaplain, in February. New collarettes were also dedicated for the County Grand Lodge Officers. The previous bannerette and collarettes have been in use since 1995.
𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
Saturday, June 20: Annual District Mini-12th at 7.30pm.
Thursday, July 2: “Songs of Praise” – 2nd Newtownhamilton Presbyterian Church, at 7.30pm (collection for charity).
Friday, July 10: “Family Fun Night” – Demonstration Field, Castleblayney Road, commencing at 7pm.
Sunday, July 12: Boyne Anniversary Service – 2nd Newtownhamilton Presbyterian Church at 3.30pm.
