What is the marching season in Northern Ireland? Why are these events steeped in history so disputed?
What are the Orange marches? Northern Ireland’s marching season is one of the fixed elements of Northern Ireland life – and in recent years it has become one of the most disputed. In short, the marching season sees members of “loyal orders” – predominantly the Orange Order – parade in ceremonial garb. The Order says it’s a celebration of the Protestant culture and communities of Northern Ireland. Many nationalists, however, see it in a different light. In areas where the Order tries to march through Catholic areas, people see the parades as intimidatory and designed to raise tensions. The marching season is steeped in ritual and history – and in any other part of the world it might just pass off as a pseudo-religious festival enjoyed by all. But thanks to the divisions in Northern Ireland many regard the Orange marches as a sign of sectarianism. Is it just loyalist organisations who march? About 5% of parades are nationalist, a number of them associated with republicanism, such as comm
