Skip to content

In pictures: Sun shines for Twelfth of July events

News imageBBC Two women smiling, in red dresses. They are holding red, white and blue Union Jacks and wearing union jack hatsBBC
The sun was shining as parades took place across six counties in Northern Ireland

Thousands of people soaked up the sun across Northern Ireland as they watched and took part in the annual Twelfth of July celebrations.

Crowds lined routes across 18 venues as parades were held in all six counties.

The main parades this year are taking place on 13 July as the Twelfth fell on a Sunday, regarded a religious day of rest by the Orange Order.

Orange Order members and marching bands are commemorating the 336th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

The event is also a celebration of Protestant traditions and Ulster-Scots heritage.

News imagePA Media A number of men are walking and holding flags. It is a sunny day and they are wearing white shirts and hats which have a white top and a black peak. There are crowds in the background.PA Media
News imageMembers of the Orange Order marching. They are each dressed in grey trousers, black coats, white gloves and orange sashes. The have black top hats on. The sky is cloudless and blue.
Twelfth of July parades were held across Northern Ireland, including in Belfast.
The Orange Order's annual Twelfth parade in Belfast. The parades celebrate the Battle of the Boyne, when Protestant King William III defeated Catholic King James II in 1690.