THOUSANDS OF Orange Order members took part at the weekend in the order’s only festival march in the Republic.
More than 12,000 marchers with 30 bands paraded through two kilometres of country roads to their annual pre-12th beachside gathering at Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal, on Saturday.
The Rev Stanley Gamble, a Grand Chaplain of the Orange Order, spoke of President Mary McAleese making special efforts in her office to make Ireland a “warm house” for Protestants.
Rev Gamble said the President’s Twelfth of July reception at Áras an Uachtaráin was “groundbreaking”, and helped pave the way for mutual understanding and respect. He added: “British passports should be available to Irish citizens south of the Border, just as Irish passports are available to British citizens north of the Border. This would be a real and tangible sign of change and hope.”
He looked forward, before President McAleese left office, to seeing the queen in the Republic.
He said: “Won’t it be great to see HM the queen afforded that much-anticipated and long overdue visit to Dublin. And I have no doubt that the great majority of Irish people will extend a warm and friendly welcome to HM the queen, just as they did to her grandfather King George V, 100 years ago next year.”
Gardaí reported no trouble during the march, although republicans daubed parts of an approach road in slogans and in green, white and gold spray.
Lodges from the Republic, including Dublin and the Border counties, joined bands and groups from the North, including one from Cavanaleck, Co Fermanagh.