Thousands attend Orange Order parade in Donegal

Large crowds have gathered in County Donegal for the annual Orange Order parade in the seaside village of Rosssnowlagh.

About 50 lodges and bands from counties Donegal, Cavan, Leitrim and Monaghan are taking part along with other Orangemen from across Northern Ireland.

Some visitors from overseas also take in the demonstration.

The grand master of the Orange Order in Donegal, David Mahon, said the order was going from strength to strength in the County.

“It’s always a good carnival type of day, with lots of people selling burgers, chips and other things that go with it,” Mr Mahon said.

“It’s an important day for the Order as it’s the only Twelfth [parade] we have in the Republic of Ireland.

“It means a lot for the members. We’ve always had the Twelfth here for as long as I can remember and that’s a long while,” he added.

Mr Mahon said the order has good relations with the Catholic community in Donegal.

“They help us out any way they can on the day with car parking and things like that,” he said.

The Rossnowlagh parade takes place each year on the Saturday before the main Twelfth of July commemorations in Northern Ireland.

The Twelfth commemorates the Battle of the Boyne, when Protestant William of Orange defeated Catholic King James II in 1690.

Alan Thompson told BBC News NI he loved coming to Rossnowlagh for the celebrations.

“It’s always a great day and there’s never any bother, always a great atmosphere,” he said.

“I’ve come down from Ballinamallard. Lovely bands here and I just love coming down.”

Gillian Stronge from Fermanagh said she enjoyed the parade whatever the weather.

“The whole atmosphere is just brilliant and there’s always a big crowd,” she said.

“I’m here with friends from Fermanagh and it’s one of the highlights of the year.”