Four Twelfth demonstrations have been selected
as flagships for the biggest festival in Northern Ireland.
The flagships will be the standard bearers for
the 18 demonstrations being organised by the Grand Orange
Lodge of Ireland on July 12.
The four locations are Belfast, Dromara, Tandragee
and Coleraine. The events in those areas will receive special
promotional support from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board
and Tourism Ireland. Grand Lodge will also work closely with
the organisers of the flagships to promote the Twelfth.
Official estimates last year calculated that
between 400,000 and 500,000 people either took part in the
parades or enjoyed them as spectators.
The Orange Order Director of Services, Dr. David
Hume explained:
"Two years ago we chose Bangor as a flagship Twelfth
and more than 80,000 people attended the demonstration. Last
year Enniskillen was chosen and the tourist authorities were
involved in very successful 'host training' for our stewards.
"We know that nearly half a million people
enjoy the Twelfth and there is hard evidence that more and
more tourists are planning trips to Northern Ireland at that
time, to co-incide with the parades.
"All of our parades are very important
and we will be working with all the organisers to maximise
the positive impact of the Twelfth parades. But Grand Lodge
decided that we should put an extra special effort into four
demonstrations this year. After an internal competition we
selected the four locations and we have no doubt that they
will be a huge success."
The Orange Order has been working closely with
the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland to
attract more visitors to the province in July.
"We cannot thank the tourist authorities
enough," said David Hume.
"They have shown us their research and
made very many useful suggestions which we have taken on board.
"The Twelfth is a unique attraction in
Northern Ireland and it brings with it immense benefits to
the economy and to everyone in the community. We will be doing
everything we can to make the Twelfth attractive for all the
family and for anyone - local or visiting - who wants to see
it.
"The new battlefield site at the Boyne will also be
a major attraction this year and we believe that cultural
tourism can play a significant part in the future of Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
"The Orange Order is certainly ready to play its part."
The Rossnowlagh parade in Co. Donegal will be held on Saturday,
July 5 this year and the July 12 demonstrations will be in
Belfast, Dromara, Coleraine, Tandragee, Maghera, Kesh, Ballyclare,
Omagh, Benburb, Aughnacloy, Derriaghy, Ballymena, Broughshane,
Portavogie, Cullybackey, Kilkeel ,Newcastle and Rasharkin.
Many of the Twelfth demonstrations will form part of festivals
running for two or three weeks in their area.
The Orange Order is also set to unveil a major tourist initiative
in the next few weeks, with the publication of the Williamite
Trail. It is a map which follows the route taken by the Williamite
Army on the way to victories at the Boyne and Aughrim.
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