Question for Northern Ireland Blues

[Citytillidie69]

I'm taking the family over NI to viist relatives in the summer and was just checking the dates the parades happen as would like to avoid them and that whole season.

Whilst looking at the Parades commission list of parades i came across this ....

REFERENCE NUMBER ORGANISATION TOWN OF PARADE
40386 Tower Ards M.U.F.C. Supporters Club Newtownards

Further Information
Date of Parade 5th June 2010

Start Time of Outward Route 11.00
Proposed Outward Route Town Hall
Mill Street
Scrabo Road
Ards Shopping Centre
Hardford Link Lights
Regent Street
Francis Stret
Georges Street
Portaferry Road
Court Street
South Street
Toen Hall

End Time of Outward Route 15.00
Start Time of Return Route -
Proposed Return Route -
End Time of Return Route -
Number of Bands -
Expected Number of Participants 20/30
Expected Number of Supporters -

My question is ...... WHAT THE FUCK ? the rag bastards have a parade every year through Newtownard's is that right ?

 

[uncle fester]

Think you'll find that because of the situation over here basically anything that constitute any kind of 'organisation' wanting to walk along the public highway constitutes a 'parade' and as such must apply for permission

this could be something as simple as charity bed push type thing but as above rules apply to everyone - I think the god botherers used the legislation to object to a gay pride march in belfast recently and as a result the 'parades' thing is deemed to apply to any group wanting to use the public roads

I take it you want to avoid the orange parades - the main one is 12th July and there would be a considerable number at several locations throughout the country but there are other significant parades in early July and the first and last saturdays in August and these are the ones which would lead to temporary road closures etc (and in some cases there is potential for trouble at flsahpoint areas)

Depending on your point of view these can be seen as a colurful family friendly spectacle or a sectarian coat trailing exercise

sorry for the long reply ;)

 

[Citytillidie69]

Thanks Uncle Fester, very useful that mate.

Was looking to visit Belfast and then down to Crossmaglen in August but may have to change plans with the first and last saturdays in August march info.


Cheers mate

 

[uncle fester]

The August parades shouldnt really give you any bother if you're going to Crossmaglen

the first saturday is like a junior parade - relatively small and over fairly quickly

the last Saturday is the Apprentice boys of Derry - basically bands/lodges from around the country go up to Derry walk around the town for a bit then return home - there has been trouble at this in the past but its usually fairly minor and usually confined to the north west

if you're in crossmaglen at this time you probably wouldnt even be aware of it

 

[scrabo6]

the main parade is on the twelfth of july.the next big parade is in londonderry usually the second saturday in aug.the last big parade is the black on the last saturday in aug.you shouldnt run into many parades in crossmaglen.the twelfth and last saturday in aug are province wide .

 

[blue jim]

hi im born and bred in northern ireland but havent been over during the 12th in about 3 or so years so who knows what its like now. the parades and displays and bonfires are usually on the week leading up to the 12th, the 11th is very big for bonfires and neds drinking huge amounts of buckfast.

If you are travelling through Northern Ireland I would avoid it mid july. Go in June, late July or August. If you go on the 12th you'll be confined to your hotel room in Belfast as its impossible to get out of the city centre without a car and everyone is on their guard.

Also Crossmaglen, wont find any parades around there, its known as bandit country, real republican heartland.

 

[law74]

Nearly every town has a band and each band have their own parade where they invite other bands and a collection is held on the street by the host band (normally to raise funds for their uniforms, instruments etc although some bands donate the collected money to charity each year). In rural areas these normally take place on a friday or saturday evening from about 19.30 - 10.30 or occassionally 11.30 (if it is a really big and well supported band). In parts of Mid - North Antrim they can also be on a wednesday or thursday evening.
They are normally reasonably localised affairs and only a few have the potential for serious violence (although like anything esle where there are quite a lot of people about you can never rule out two idiots falling out).
The major parades are those organised by the Orange on the 12th July, the Apprentice Boys on the second saturday in August and by the Royal Black Institution on the last saturday in August, these have local parades in the morning where a lodge or club parade round their local streets before heading to the major parade, and again in the evening on their return.
There are also Internment anniversary parades on the 14th August by the Nationalist - Rebublicans and the Irish National Forresters and the Ancient Order of Hibernians hold their major parades on the 15th August, these are like a mirror image of the major Orange etc parades, where there are local parades in the morning before heading to the main parade.
Depending on where abouts in Belfast you wish to go there should be no bother, although there are some flashpoint areas that would be best avoided (sort of like the top of Grey Mare Lane on Derby day), and i would be very surprised if there was an orange parade in cross, unless the Armagh GAA team are in the final of the Sam Maguire Cup.

P.S. If you are coming over make sure to visit the north coast, and I would recommend the North West 200 (a VERY big motorbike road race where up to 200,000 often watch the days road races, almhough it often falls on cup final weekend)

 

[depps]

Im not taking the piss but I must say the thought of worrying about orange parades in Crossmaglen of all places has me pissing myself laughing here!!!!

 

[Citytillidie69]

hi im born and bred in northern ireland but havent been over during the 12th in about 3 or so years so who knows what its like now. the parades and displays and bonfires are usually on the week leading up to the 12th, the 11th is very big for bonfires and neds drinking huge amounts of buckfast.

If you are travelling through Northern Ireland I would avoid it mid july. Go in June, late July or August. If you go on the 12th you'll be confined to your hotel room in Belfast as its impossible to get out of the city centre without a car and everyone is on their guard.

Also Crossmaglen, wont find any parades around there, its known as bandit country, real republican heartland.

Cheers guys. It was more Belfast timings i was worried about. I have family in Belfast/Lisburn and Cross, been over myself quite a few times but planning to take wife and kids. I bloody love the place and want the family too as well so I'd rather avoid the parades.

Thanks for the info

 

[Belfastblue]

never mind the parades but if you have an English accent and you are in Crossmaglen i would be more worried about that as it is a place english people are not welcome. Bandit country