As LOCALS often say: ‘The sun always shines on the Twelfth’, and this year was no exception, with the sun breaking through on what was supposed to be a cloudy day, just as bands and Orange Lodges congregated by Enniskillen Castle ahead of the parade in Enniskillen on Monday.

“It’s nearly too warm for us,” laughed County Grand Secretary Alan Elliott as he chatted to The Impartial Reporter ahead of the Enniskillen parade.

Joking aside, he said: “It’s great to be back out again” parading for the Twelfth, following the absence of parades last year due to the pandemic, adding: “It’s a wee bit of normality of sorts, but we’re looking forward to getting back to one big demonstration again.”

The parade in Enniskillen was one of seven Twelfth of July parades to take place in the Fermanagh area. Traditionally, the Twelfth sees one large demonstration take place in the county; however, it was decided this year that due to the ongoing pandemic, there would be multiple parades to accommodate more people.

Approximately 20 Orange Lodges were represented at the parade in the county town, along with approximately nine bands.

Joy Clements and Karen McCutcheon from Enniskillen Pipe band were delighted to be back parading.

“It’s brilliant to be back after such a long break,” said Karen.

Joy added: “It’s great to have the good weather in Enniskillen as well, and it’s great to see some more local bands out, and they’ve still got their numbers.”

Culture

Talking about what she enjoys about the Twelfth of July, Joy told this newspaper: “It’s just a great way to celebrate your culture and it’s a great way to see people that you don’t see all year. It’s great to get out.”

Due to the pandemic, some Twelfth regulars couldn’t attend this year’s parade, Joy explained.

“We have a drum major who comes from Germany, so he can’t be here this year – otherwise he would have to quarantine – but hopefully he’ll get here next year; that’s the plan, anyway.”

Before the parade set off, as per tradition a short religious service was held where the resolutions were read along with a prayer and bible reading.

County Chaplain Reverend Rodney Beacom said the opening prayer. Talking to this paper, he said: “Apart from the good day, weather-wise, it’s good for us to have the opportunity in the centennial year to have the opportunity to publicly celebrate our Orange heritage, and our Orange traditions, to be out on the Twelfth of July.”

Also commenting on the wonderful weather for the parade, spectator Jim Dixon added: “We’re here to enjoy ourselves and I hope everybody else does. It’s a lovely day for it. The Twelfth is a day to be remembered, but [what it commemorates] it’s in the past – we have to live in the future.”

The parade set off just after noon with bands and Lodges parading a loop of the town, starting and ending at Enniskillen Castle.

Up on The Diamond, crowds of people lined the street as they eagerly awaited the parade to pass by. Sitting on a deckchair in a prime spot to view the bands, Margaret Porter was enjoying the music and the social aspect of the parade.

“It’s great to see the bands and meet up with people that you haven’t seen in quite a while,” Margaret told this newspaper.