Beyond the Bonfires: The 12th & the Orange Order

Welcome to Belfast — a city steeped in history in the heart of Northern Ireland. Every year, on the 12th of July, an annual holiday begins, infused with great significance as a bulwark symbol of Unionism. On this date, the celebrations commemorate the triumph of the Protestant King William of Orange over the armies of the Catholic King James at the Battle of Aughrim, 1690.

The event encapsulates deep-rooted divisions that continue to exist to the modern day. The holiday is primarily orchestrated by the Orange Order, a prominent Protestant fraternal organisation. In our investigation, we delve into the world of the Orange Order, the bonfires, and the marches that envelop this holiday, interviewing prominent figures of The Troubles as well as members of the Orange Order to uncover the organisation’s role in contemporary Northern Ireland.