Bonfires light up the sky for Eleventh Night party

Hundreds of bonfires were lit across Northern Ireland last night as part of the traditional Eleventh Night celebrations.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jul 2016, 10:19 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 17:06 BST
General view of the 'eleventh night bonfire in the Highfield Estate in west Belfast. Traditionally, bonfires are lit in many loyalist areas of Northern Ireland on the 'eleventh night' - on the eve of the Twelfth of July. They celebrate William of Orange's victory over King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690General view of the 'eleventh night bonfire in the Highfield Estate in west Belfast. Traditionally, bonfires are lit in many loyalist areas of Northern Ireland on the 'eleventh night' - on the eve of the Twelfth of July. They celebrate William of Orange's victory over King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690
General view of the 'eleventh night bonfire in the Highfield Estate in west Belfast. Traditionally, bonfires are lit in many loyalist areas of Northern Ireland on the 'eleventh night' - on the eve of the Twelfth of July. They celebrate William of Orange's victory over King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690

Despite several being constructed close to houses and commercial property, early indications were that the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received fewer calls for assistance than last year.

The traditional fires signal the start of commemorations marking the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

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They range from small pyres in a city street to towering structures – of wooden pallets and scrap wood – more than 100ft tall.

Some of the bonfire builders have faced fierce criticism over the inclusion of tyres, which are known to produce harmful chemicals when burned, although many communities participate in a scheme to encourage more environmentally friendly ‘beacon’ type fires.

One of the most strongly criticised bonfires last year was Chobham Street in east Belfast, where a massive structure was built very close to the houses.

This year, the organisers moved the fire away from the properties but in doing so caused a children’s playpark to be temporarily dismantled.

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In the Sandy Row area in the south of the city, bonfire builders were also criticised due to its proximity to the Holiday Inn hotel.

Bonfire light up the city from Black Mountain on Monday evening , as the 12th of July celebrations take part across Northern Ireland, to commemorate the Battle of Boyne, which occurred on Ireland's east coast in 1690Bonfire light up the city from Black Mountain on Monday evening , as the 12th of July celebrations take part across Northern Ireland, to commemorate the Battle of Boyne, which occurred on Ireland's east coast in 1690
Bonfire light up the city from Black Mountain on Monday evening , as the 12th of July celebrations take part across Northern Ireland, to commemorate the Battle of Boyne, which occurred on Ireland's east coast in 1690

SDLP MLA Claire Hanna branded the positioning as “utterly insane,” but one community representative hit back, calling for “credit where credit’s due” when bonfires were kept free of tyres and the sites free of household rubbish.

In Portadown, Sinn Fein MLA John O’Dowd called for police to investigate the burning of Irish tricolours – as well as Sinn Fein election posters – on a bonfire as a hate crime.

“It is totally unacceptable that these stolen posters appeared on the bonfire, especially in the context of an event which was supposed to be a children’s fun day,” he said.

Related topics:Northern IrelandBelfastJohn O'DowdNorthern Ireland Fire and Rescue ServiceProtestant