The head of the Orange Order has called for Northern Ireland to not be left in a “European limbo” following Brexit.
Grand Master Harold Henning said the region should be “respected as a truly integral part of the United Kingdom”, instead of having to continue to deal with European regulations.
He was speaking in the town of Rathfriland in Co Down which hosted one of the main Orange Order July 12 parades on Monday when tens of thousands took to the streets for the annual commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson was among those who stepped out at the Belfast demonstration alongside his son Reuben and party colleague Lord Dodds.
Earlier, an outward parade at a former flashpoint in the Ardoyne area passed off without incident amid a police presence which included Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton, while Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly was also present.The return parade is set to take place on Tuesday morning following a ruling by the Parades Commission.
The festivities are spread across 18 main locations on Monday to mark the 336th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, where the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II.
The Orange Order’s annual parade in Belfast, as part of the Twelfth of July celebrations across Northern Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA)PA WireUnionists have expressed concerned about the post-Brexit political landscape which sees Northern Ireland effectively treated as a part of the European Union to avoid a hard border being placed on the island of Ireland.
In Rathfriland Mr Henning hailed the culture on display as “great heritage” with Orange lodges and bands playing an “important part in the community life of their respective areas”.
He said while July 12 is the biggest day for the institution, cultural heritage is “much more that a once-a-year occurrence”.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson (centre) during the Orange Order’s annual parade in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)PA Wire“Despite what our enemies may wish for, days like this prove that our Orange family remains strong, vibrant and ready to face the future,” he said.
Mr Henning said unionists remained concerned about the outworking of Brexit.
“The still unresolved outworkings of Brexit in this part of the United Kingdom must be addressed by our Government,” he said.
A Dalmatian called Buster during the Orange Order’s annual parade in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)PA Wire“The citizens of Northern Ireland should no longer be deprived of the same rights as our fellow citizens in Great Britain.
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“A popular Unionist slogan in the past was – ‘British Citizens Demand British Rights’.
“We stand by that demand today and ask nothing more than that Northern Ireland is recognised and respected as a truly integral part of the United Kingdom – not left in limbo dealing with the complexities of European regulations and laws which continue to create difficulties for the movement of goods into Northern Ireland.”
Traditional Eleventh Night bonfires have been lit over the weekend (Liam McBurney/PA)PA WireHe added: “As an institution, we firmly believe that Northern Ireland’s future remains best served as an integral part of the United Kingdom.
“Economically, socially and politically – despite its shortcomings, the Union remains something that we will strive to maintain and develop for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.”
The celebrations come after the burning of bonfires at hundreds of locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
As July 12 fell on a Sunday this year, the main Twelfth parades are instead taking place on Monday July 13, enjoying warm and sunny weather.
The Orange Order parade in Rossnowlagh in Co Donegal took place on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will instead take place on Tuesday.
(Left to right) Ruby Bowes, nine, Holly McGilloway, nine, and Esme McGilloway, 10, from the Shankill, watch the Orange Order’s annual parade in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)PA WireThe event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James.
While most of the bonfires which were burned in recent nights were uncontentious, there was condemnation after a replica of a mosque was placed on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone.
The fire was lit earlier than anticipated on Thursday after the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) began an operation to remove the effigy.
A man died in hospital on Saturday after falling off a loyalist bonfire in east Belfast on Friday night.
Main Orange Order parades will take place on Monday in Ballymena, Larne, Ballymoney, Portglenone, Glenarm, Newtownhamilton, Belfast, Rathfriland, Killyleagh, Royal Hillsborough, Ballymartin, Ballywalter, Maguiresbridge, Limavady, Kilrea, Cookstown, Castlederg and Aughnacloy.
A major policing operation took place to facilitate the parades.