Twelfth 2026: Ulster families steeped in Orange heritage - traditions we must 'cherish and protect' - Loyal Order boss

The grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland also told the Twelfth demonstration at Rathfriland that despite its “shortcomings”, the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland remains something that the Orange institution will “strive to maintain and develop for the benefit of everyone” here.

The annual celebrations took place across 18 main locations yesterday to mark the 336th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, where the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II during the Glorious Revolution.

Speaking in his hometown of Rathfriland, Co Down, the new Grand Master, Most Wor Bro Harold Henning said: “I have been an Orangeman and bandsman practically all my life. The sights and sounds of days like this form some of my earliest memories.

“For tens of thousands of people in this country, our cultural traditions are a way of life. Families are steeped in this tradition and that heritage is one which we must cherish and protect.

“In Psalm 16 verse 6, King David writes ‘The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage’.

“When we look out from this field today upon the Mourne mountains and the splendour of creation, we can surely say that we dwell in a pleasant land.

“When we see our culture on display on days like this, we can also say with assurance that we do indeed have a great heritage – the paintings on our banners bear testament to that fact.

“In every corner of Ulster, we have Orange lodges and bands – each one plays an important part in the community life of their respective areas.

“And while this is our biggest day with over 1,000 lodges and hundreds of bands on parade at 18 venues today, don’t forget that our cultural heritage is much more that a once-a-year occurrence.

“Sometimes, it’s easy to feel disheartened. Our community has borne the brunt of many disappointments over the years and sometimes our heads can go down.

“And yet, despite what our enemies may wish for, days like this prove that our Orange family remains strong, vibrant and ready to face the future,” Mr Henning said.

He also addressed the role of the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689 in achieving the rights and freedoms enjoyed in the United Kingdom today – as well as its influence on the foundation of the United States of America.

​He told the Rathfriland Twelfth: “The Glorious Revolution, which we continue to celebrate today, created a system of constitutional democracy in which the liberty and rights of the people were placed above the power of an absolute monarch.

“The principles of that revolution were to inspire many British settlers in the American colonies less than a century later to take a stand for what they believed was the withholding of their British rights.

“This year we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.

“Whilst some may see that as somewhat contradictory, that story is one which is full of links to Ulster and our people, who in many cases were central in the campaign to see the full restoration of British rights to British citizens in the colonies.

“As an institution, we firmly believe that Northern Ireland’s future remains best served as an integral part of the United Kingdom.

“Economically, socially and politically – despite its shortcomings, the Union remains something that we will strive to maintain and develop for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.”

The annual festivities were held a day later as the Twelfth fell on a Sunday.

The Co Armagh demonstration is generally regarded as the largest Twelfth parade to take place in Northern Ireland on the big day.

Belfast has the longest Twelfth parade route of the day, with participants walking more than six miles to the field. A long walk, given it was yet another scorching Twelfth.