The main Orange Order parade in Co Derry has got under way in Limavady.
An estimated 30,000 people are attending the flagship event which sees all of the Orange fraternity in county come together for the first time in 14 years.
Up to 90 bands are accompanying 11 districts from across county – Limavady, Castledawson, Coleraine, Magherafelt, Garvagh, Kilrea, Ballyronan, Macosquin, Tamlaght O Crilly, Moneymore, Tobermore – along the five city districts.
The Nevada (US) Orange Lodge is also participating as are members of the Las Vegas Purple Star LOL 212 who are walking with Orange men from Dungiven.
The parade set off at 11.30am this morning, led by Limavady District LOL No 6 along with the county’s Grand Lodge Officers and is proceeding to “the field” via Church Street, Ballyclose Street, Main Street, Linenhall Street, Catherine Street (pausing at the War Memorial), Roemill Road, William Street, Protestant Street, Catherine Street, Irish Green Street and Roemill Gardens.
Main speaker will be the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Rev Alastair Smyth, who is expected to criticise restrictions placed on other Twelfth parades.
Also on the platform will be the Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of England, Ron Bather, and Charles Cefferty, representing the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland.
On their return from Limavady at around 6.00pm, the city’s Orange men will parade through the city centre from the Waterside to Bishop Street
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