Ice-cream and respect keeps everyone cool on Twelfth

Rodney Edwards • Published 15 Jul 2010 16:00 Comments 1 Comment

Share this

Jim Irvine, 82 years young who has being playing the bagpipes for over 70 years at the Twelfth with Clabby Pipe Band.<<

Colourful headgear during the Twelfth in Brookeborough.<<

Bro. Norman Johnston, County Grand Master; lays a wreath in Brookeborough.<<

THE little village of Brookeborough was alive to the sound of music on Monday when it played host to the annual Twelfth celebrations.

It was the first time in 13 years that the event has taken place in Brookeborough and the trouble free day didn't disappoint.

Even the rain stayed away until the speeches were over, much to the joy of those of us without a coat, an umbrella or welly boots!

Thousands from across Fermanagh piled into the streets from early morning, all eager to get a good vantage point and make the most of the sunshine.

Children in prams, pensioners on deck chairs and dogs on leads all sat back and soaked up the friendly atmosphere as up to 100 lodges from Fermanagh, including around 70 bands gathered to celebrate a day of culture, Those marching, included lodges from Lisbellaw, Kinawley, Churchill, Newtownbutler and of course, Brookeborough.

They were joined by their Irish counterparts from Monaghan, Leitrim, Donegal and Cavan.

30 members of the Riverbrooke Cross-Border Initiative based in County Sligo also arrived and were "intrigued" to catch their first Twelfth.

The group's project coordinator, John Deignan said they were "anxious and nervous" about coming to Fermanagh at first.

"Our members, are of course, predominately Catholic. They have stepped very much out of their comfort zones. Only one of our members has been to the Twelfth before," he said.

Riverbrooke (a wordplay of Brookeborough and Riverstown) came together 15 years ago with a view of looking at ways of bringing the two communities together. It has received funding through the Peace II Programme and the International Funding for Ireland and looks at working with all sections of the community, not just the Orange Order.

Monday's trip was to "educate" its members and according to Mr. Deignan, it worked: "Most of them have been left amazed by the warmth they've received here, overwhelmed by the number of bands taking part and surprised at the relaxed atmosphere. I'm shocked at how relaxed it is. There's not even a hint of trouble. If you wanted to start some trouble, you'd feel very much out of place. Coming to Brookeborough has left a positive feeling. I think as a result the people want to find out more about the Orange Order. On the news we don't hear about 400 people walking down the street peacefully, we just hear about two people knocking the heads of each other -- so being here has changed their perceptions," he said.

Another Irish Orangeman, Ian Beamish said he joined the Dublin and Wexford Orange Lodge because he didn't want to see his cultural heritage "in a museum".

"I wanted to live it and experience it. The best thing I could have done was join. In our lodge we have members from Cork, Kerry, Longford, Kildare and Carlow. We have such a mix in the lodge; farmers, lectures, students and college workers. My wife, mother-in-law and kids are here today; it's just a pity more people from the South don't come up to explore it."

Former County Grandmaster Tom Elliott might be an Ulster Unionist MLA but he said the Twelfth wasn't about making any political speeches but about reaching out to the community.

"I think that's shown by the amount of people here today. Meeting people from Ireland and the world gives you some heart. It makes you believe you're not just a small group on your own. It's a society that has the same belief and ideals. Clearly it's very encouraging. You only have to look at the traffic volumes around the village. I know I had some problems getting parked this morning because of it!" he laughed.

His fellow politicians were out in force too. Arlene Foster had the shades on and the feet up, Bertie Kerr sat back smoking his pipe and a busy looking Alex Baird was spotted running around with a pair of drum sticks. New girl Alison Brimstone and former Council Chairman Robert Irvine were also in attendance and frequently seen ducking from the hot sun.

There were poignant moments during Monday's parade as well. The first, when a wreath was laid at the village's memorial and the second, when Newtownbutler Border Defenders Flute Band paid tribute to "absent friends". A reference to 19-year-old band member Stuart Irwin, who tragically died earlier this year.

One Enniskillen businessman said the Twelfth in Fermanagh is "always different" than other places around Northern Ireland.

"It's a day for family and friends to get together, enjoy the bands and have a bit of craic. There's no aggression in the air because everyone is here to have a peaceful day out. I had a man come up to me from Donegal. He said it was his first Twelfth and he was loving it. That's what it's all about," he smiled.

Those living in the houses along the village's main street didn't have far to go to watch the bands. Their doorsteps quickly became makeshift seats, with the help of a few comfortable looking cushions. For the rest of us, we had to make do with standing around for hours!

Over in the field on the Lisnaskea road, Veteran Orangeman Noel Beattie cooled down with an ice-cream: "Am I enjoying the day? Of course I am. I've been coming here for 65 years. I've been part of the Orange Order for a lifetime and my father was the same. It's just tradition, I suppose," he said.

Another commented: "I've been in the lodge for 27 years or so but I've been coming to the Twelfth since I was a child. My mother would have always brought me and now I bring my own family each year. I think Brookeborough is a great place to hold it, you know. The walk isn't too long, the field isn't too far away and it's all very well laid out," he said.

Orangeman Gary Wilson added: "We celebrate this day as a family and everyone is very welcome to attend to enjoy the bands, the lodges, the colour and the festival atmosphere. I have been a member of the lodge for about 27 years but I have been coming to the Twelfth for as long as I can remember. It's a very big part of our family and they're all here today."

King Billy's horse, which led the parade was provided this year by Noel and Heather Johnston. 'Prince' and 'King Billy' were decked out in suitable attire.

"We only got the call on Saturday night to do it because the other person couldn't! But it was no trouble, we're glad to help out and Prince, thankfully, has been very settled," laughed Noel. "It really is a tremendous day. A good social day out," added Heather, one of King Billy's very able foot soldiers.

And so at around 5pm, the 320th Anniversary of The Battle of the Boyne was over for another year. The drummers stopped, the fast food trucks packed up, the cushions were lifted and the many men, women, children and animals started making their way home.

And then the rain lashed down...

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 15 Jul 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

sandra4
2 posts
Jul 21, 12:50
Report comment

I live in Edinburgh now, have been for the last 11 years but coming home for the twelve is always a joy. Unfortunately when I say to work colleagues or friends in Edinburgh why I’m coming home I get a look that says ‘Why? Isn’t it dangerous? I didn’t think you’d support the orange order’ I quickly have to explain that in Fermanagh, the Twelve is nothing like Belfast that it’s a brilliant day out, you always ‘run-into’ old friends you haven’t seen in ages. Everybody is happy and chilled out and then promptly tell them that should visit the Twelve parades in Fermanagh for a great day.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.