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Walking Round in CirclesThe Orange Order on Parade: Photographer Nick Patterson’s intimate portrait

Photos of the rituals of the Orange Order at its annual Tour of the North parade.

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Billy Welsh has been a member of the Orange Order since he was 17 and is a County Grand Marshal.

Marshals are responsible for helping to ensure the march is disciplined.

  • Orangemen with Number 1 District Bannerette
  • Orangemen wear sashes embroidered with their lodge name or number
  • An Orangeman gets ready. Sashes were originally of the ceremonial shoulder-to-hip variety as worn by the British military
  • Billy Welsh has been a member of the Orange Order since he was 17 and is a County Grand Marshal.
  • The Orange Order is divided into lodges and meetings are held monthly and in secret
  • Along with a pair of white gloves and a 'sash', the Bowler hat is part of the traditional clothing worn by Orangemen
  • Orange marches are accompanied by pipe bands, silver bands and – most commonly – flute bands.
  • The vast majority of Orange Order parades are uncontentious and families commonly attend...
  • Drums are sometimes dedicated to the memories of dead loyalists - including paramilitaries.
  • Baton twirling is regarded as a great skill by loyalist bands
  • Loyalist bands play marching tunes associated with Irish regiments of the British Army, loyalist folk and contemporary tunes
  • Dawson Bailie has been a member of the Orange Order since the age of six.
  • On this walking stick: the crown of the British monarchy, the cross symbolising the crucifixion of Christ...
  • Crumlin Road: North Belfast has witnessed substantial demographic change during the Troubles
  • In the absence of agreement on parading between NI's parties, the Parades Commission adjudicates on contentious marches
  • Protestors
  • The Orange Order has a women’s section - the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland
  • While the membership of the Orange Order has been in decline for some time, the number of bands has increased dramatically
  • One of the criticisms of the Orange Order is that it permits bands to commemorate dead loyalist paramilitaries

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