|
Three 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 Monday,
July 13, 2009.
The three locations are Banbridge, Bangor and Larne. 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 more than 500,000
people either took part in the parades or enjoyed them as
spectators.
The Orange Order Director of Services, Dr. David Hume explained:
"Three years ago we chose Bangor as a flagship Twelfth
and more than 80,000 people attended the demonstration. The
year after that Enniskillen was chosen and the tourist authorities
were involved in very successful 'host training' for our stewards.
Last year the flagship Twelfths were Belfast, Tandragee, Dromara
and Coleraine and they proved extremely successful.
"We know that more than half a million people enjoy
the Twelfth and there is hard evidence that an increasing
number of tourists are planning trips to Northern Ireland
at that time of year so they can see the parades.
"Many people time their visit home to family and friends
just to see the Twelfth.
"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 three demonstrations this
year. We selected the three 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 have built a strong relationship with the tourist
authorities," said David Hume.
"They are the professionals in their world and we have
listened to their advice so that we can enhance what is available
to the public."
The Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Robert
Saulters, said:
"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.
"This year is very special for our institution. It is
Imperial Orange Council year and delegates from across the
Orange world will gather in Belfast in July for the 43rd Triennial
Conference.
"The Orange Order has 100,000 members throughout the
United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the United States, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, Togo and Ghana. We are a worldwide
fraternity and it will be a special occasions to see so many
of our fellow brethren here in Northern Ireland.
"It will be a fantastic opportunity to show off all
that is good about Northern Ireland. We are also planning
to take delegates to the excellent Boyne Battlefield site
near Drogheda."
The Rossnowlagh parade in Co. Donegal will be held on Saturday,
July 11 this year and the demonstrations on July 13 will be
in Belfast, Banbridge, Armagh, Londonderry, Kilrea, Dromore
(Co. Tyrone), Bangor, Killyleagh, Larne, Glenarm, Ballymoney,
Annalong, Coagh, Fivemiletown, Ballymena, Lisburn, Portglenone
and Lisbellaw.
Many of the Twelfth demonstrations will form part of festivals
running for two or three weeks in their area.
|
