The Five Demands

Covenant centenary parade underway (UTV)

Tens of thousands of Orange members and supporters have taken part in a parade through Belfast to mark the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant.
The main march from City Hall to Stormont left at 11am, making its way along the six mile route via the Queen’s Bridge and Newtownards Road in east Belfast, arriving at Stormont before 2pm.

Orangemen passed a number of contentious areas on Saturday, including St Patrick’s Church on the Donegall Street, where a loyalist band played an allegedly sectarian tune on the Twelfth of July.

The parade passed off peacefully in the area.

Marchers were ordered to play only sacred music while passing the venue from the Carrick Hill junction to Royal Avenue, while a protest held by the Carrick Hill residents’ group was limited to 150 participants.

Following the parade, Carrick Hill residents claimed a number of bandsmen broke the Parades Commission’s ruling. They said they heard the Sash immediately after the passing of the church, and claimed some bandsmen acted provocatively.

Frank Dempsey, chair of Carrick Hill Residents’ Group, said although the parade proceeded peacefully, the determination “has been smashed.”

“Some of the bands did stick by it. There’s no problem with that there, but a number of them bands broke that,” he said.

Father Michael Sheehan, parish priest at St Patrick’s, said he did not hear the Sash being played, but said some of the bandsmen “seemed quite exuberant”.

I’m glad it went peacefully… I think a degree of respect was shown that hasn’t been shown before.

Father Sheehan
“There was a lot of vigour used in some drums and yes that could be considered as a bit defiant maybe,” he told UTV.

The Parades Commission also placed the sacred music restriction on bands passing St Matthew’s Catholic Church on the Newtownards Road.

Members of the Orange Order said they were determined the Covenant Day marches would pass off peacefully.

“At the end of the day this is a celebration of the centenary of a wonderful thing that happened,” said Leonard Walker, who added a message for those who may cause disruption.

“Stay away, we do not want any trouble. We want this to be marked in the right way,” he added.

John Berry has been walking with the Orange Order for 40 years.

“It really should not be contentious, this parade. Residents have made it contentions by appearing and protesting,” he commented.

Earlier PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said: “The PSNI will be working hard to ensure that the Ulster Covenant parade takes place peacefully and in a way that brings credit to all concerned.

“I know that this is the wish of the vast majority across all communities and I would ask for the fullest co-operation with police in helping us to keep everyone safe. I am grateful for both the political and local leadership that should make this possible.”

Politicians appealed for calm at the event, which is one of the biggest loyal order parades seen in Belfast.

The day culminated in a huge cultural festival staged in the grounds of Stormont to commemorate the 1912 proclamation against plans for Home Rule in Ireland.

The return parade will leave Stormont at 4.15pm and return to Belfast via the Belmont Road, Holywood Road, back on to the Newtownards Road towards the city centre.

It is scheduled to arrive by 6pm, with feeder parades returning towards Sandy Row and Carlisle Circus.