Ulster's July Celebrations

With the "Glorious Tweflth" not having any glorious July weather to speak of, many people would've been forgiven for thinking the number of spectators and supporters would have been down on last year, however Ulster people are all a hardy bunch of individuals.
12th Parades all over the province were awash with both colourful spectical and cloudy rain, although the sunshine did breakthrough in parts, especially in Loughgall were the parade was almost completely rain free if a little bit cloudy.

Yesterday's Scarva parade, which reportedly attracted crowds of up to 200,000 people, was more of a complete wash out - but the resolve of Ulster's majority community was demonstrated again. Right from the off the parade route was dull and cloudy; by the time the head of the march reached the demense, a light Ulster shower had developed which turned into a heavy sustained Scottish downpour.

So despite less that perfect weather, both the 12th of July and the 13th parade in Scarva passed off very well indeed. Much of the tensions of previous years had been missing, due it some small way to the relative calming of political affairs and the setting up of a new Stormont executive. Whatever the reasons for the calmer atmosphere everybody was in agreement that it was indeed a welcome change from previous years.

Like Ulster's one hit wonders D-Ream we believe "Things Can Only Get Better" in regards to the 12th of July celebrations. Whether you call it 'Orange-Fest', a Folk Festival, a Carnival or Pagent; Ulster's national holiday is a continuation of a tradition which is a key part of the Protestant Ulster-Scots identity, to deny it is to deny a part of Ireland's cultural heritage.