“Keeping everyone in Step” Leslie Wilson leads Brookeborough Flute Band at Saturday’s parade in Rossnowlagh
THE COUNTY TWELFTH of July is being held in Ballinamallard this year, and while there will not be on quite the scale of last year’s flagship parade it is expected to attract large crowds of up to 10,000 people to the lakeland venue.
The Twelfth demonstration being held in the villa includes orange lodges and bands from across the county as well as playing host to visiting lodges from the South representing Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.
Southern brethren – who traditionally take pride of place at the front of the main parade – will join with 90 private lodges, members of the Association of Loyal Orangewomen and approximately 70 bands in one of the larger demonstrations in the North.
King William – in appropriate period costume – will head the parade and will be closely followed by the county standards, including the memorial bannerette.
A total of 15 Fermanagh Districts, including the host district, Ballinamallard – will be accompanied by a wide variety of impressive local marching bands, comprising every musical genre. Among the musical talent stepping out will be Brookeborough Flute Band, the winners of the Musican’s Merit (Group) Award at this year’s Orange Community Awards. Meanwhile, the ranks of one local lodge will be swelled this year with the participation of visiting members of the Institution from Scotland. Dromard LOL 284 will be joined by brethren and sisters from Edinburgh and the Blantyre area.
The brethren of Cavanaleck LOL 623 will also have their new banner on parade at its first Twelfth, having been unfurled earlier this year. Among the visitors lining the route are the Elland Silver Band from Yorkshire, who are joining Maguiresbridge Silver Band leading LOL
Among the expected 10,000 spectators lining the parade route will be a group of ex-servicemen from the Irish Army, who are based in Cavan. As well as meeting with former military personnel from Fermanagh, the group will also learn more about Orange culture and heritage as part of their two-day trip to the county. A group of students from the United States – who are being hosted in Fermanagh as part of an exchange programme – are also expected to enjoy the colour and pageantry of the Ballinamallard parade and will be joined by around 12 community workers from Sligo.
Deputy County Grandmaster Stuart Brooker highlighted the relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere of the annual celebration and hopes for a good turnout from across the community.
“To those people who would say they are nervous or even afraid to come along we would remind them them it is always a relaxed day. We would love to get the opportunity to show visitors what were about and have them go away with a positive impression.
“My message would be come and see if you’re curious, don’t be afraid or nervous and enjoy the day.”
Lodges and bands will move off at 12.30pm from the assembly point (Ballinamallard United FC) on the Enniskillen Road before proceeding along the approximate one-mile route through the village to the demonstration field on the Makenny Road. The main proceedings will commence at 2.30pm.
The religious service will be chaired by the most senior Orangeman in the county, Fermanagh County Grand Master Norman Johnston. The guest speaker will be Bro Rev Alan Irwin, Deputy Grand Lecturer of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.
Ample car parking facilities will be available for those travelling by car on the Enniskillen Road and the Mayfly Road from Irvinestown.
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