The Annual July 12 celebrations in Fermanagh will be very different to previous years as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced a cancellation of events organised by the Orange Order to commemorate the 330th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

While unable to gather to celebrate the battle, the Orange Order are encouraging people to mark the day differently, online, in their home, with families and neighbours.

On Monday, July 13, the County Fermanagh Grand Lodge will be holding a drive in Twelfth platform service in the Farmer’s Mart Yard on the Old Tempo Road.

Districts are also organising drive in services in place of the traditional church service on Sunday, July 12.

Wreath laying ceremonies will also be taking place within strict social distancing guidelines at various memorials on Monday, July 13 with participation by invite only and number restricted.

Fivemiletown District Orange has announced plans for a tractor run to mark the Twelfth 2020. The run will commence at Glenageeragh Orange Hall at 2pm on Monday, July 13 and proceed around the Orange halls of the Clogher Valley, taking in the villages of Augher, Clogher and Fivemiletown.

A spokesman for the District lodge commented: “This year our celebrations and commemorations will be different to our traditional Twelfth events, as the priority must be to stop the spread of Coronavirus. However, just because our parades and gatherings are cancelled, does not mean that we cannot celebrate and mark the occasion in other ways’.

In addition to the tractor run the District lodge has also organised a Drive-in church service on Sunday, July 12, 3.30pm at the Mart Car Park Clogher.

On Monday, July 13 members, friends and families are also being encouraged to mark the day with the focus being very much a Twelfth at home. The District is running a photo competition with people encouraged to submit photographs of their Twelfth at home, the categories are, A Twelfth Breakfast, Dressed for the Day, and a Twelfth Tea/BBQ.

District Master Mark Robinson, in launching the plans, stressed that all will take place within social distancing and other guidelines. He concluded by saying: “We are encouraging all our members and supporters to mark this unique Twelfth by entering into the spirit of the day, have the traditional Ulster fry for Breakfast, get your sash or band uniform on and send us the photographs, and end your day with a Twelfth Tea or BBQ with the family’.

From Saturday, July 11 to Monday, July 13, the Orange Institution’s pop up radio station will go live to accompany the stay at home celebrations. Traditional tunes, popular songs and hymns alongside heritage, history and information programmes will provide easy listening and set the scene for the big day.

For further information on how to best celebrate the Twelfth at home visit the Grand Orange Lodge’s website at www.goli.org.uk.

“We are encouraging all our members and supporters to mark this unique Twelfth by entering into the spirit of the day, have the traditional Ulster fry for Breakfast, get your sash or band uniform on and send us the photographs