Celebrations of the battle of the Boyne began amicably as the protestants celebrated the key points of their history and was seen a holiday rather than a political statement. Unconfirmed evidence reported that Catholics often enjoyed the band and had the occasional ice cream.
Parades have become an increasingly important part of life in Northern Ireland since the 18th century, commemorating and celebrating specific events of the past. The parades have grown in number by 43 percent since 1986, for many they play a political, religious and social role within society reinstating their opinions and values within the public eye.
Over the past a hundred and fifty years Protestant Catholic clashes have come to the forefront. The Drumcree parade is a prime example of modern day conflict as a result of commemorating the past. The problems revolve around the Garvachy road following recent housing developments on the once insignificant country lane, which initially had been mixed, became ethnically cleansed forming a Catholic stronghold. This resulted in a different political climate and Catholic resident groups sprang up, the opposition to parades through Catholic areas had begun. Previous to this in 1705 the Orange Order was founded, not far from Portadown to protect Protestant rights and religion, these men grew up with the views of Orangeism, this puts Portadown Orangemen apart from other members of the organisation. They are seen as very threatening and intimidating towards the Catholics especially as most nationalists view the Orange Order as a personification of sectarian bigotry. In the past five years this humble parade has drawn the attention of the world, becoming an epitome of violent protest and conflict, reverberating throughout the province. The police originally accepted the residents’ demands and rerouted the parade. 1995 saw paramilitary cease-fire, which meant parades were looked upon as a means of expressing views. Protests ensued all over Northern Ireland. There have been attacks on Irish property and loyalist supporters have built campaigns to vandalise roadblocks. One Member of the former RUC stated that he thought the Drumcree violence will only generate more violence and for some people it is even an excuse.
“A small minority – would use these events to be engaged in violence”
The violence, greater still, distances Northern Ireland from a stable peace. Such minor issues becoming focal points will inevitably hinder the wider aspects of the peace process. The Orange Order has made attempts to concession there is only one remaining march from an original nine. Although the Orangemen were reluctant to back down after what the march stood for they have voluntary re routed one march to stress the need to initiate negotiation. It was mentioned that the nature of the band evokes rebellion with the loud drums, eventually it was agreed that the parade would go down in silence. These compromises were met with doubts and found Brendan McKenna (now a member of the SDLP but was jailed for his involvement in the bombing a the ex- servicemen centre) demeaning their efforts, reinforcing the feeling that either side should not negotiate with terrorists.
“We have shown our willingness to deal with the situation but every time we are knocked back” David Jones (spokesman for the Orange Order)
The 1996 Orange Order parade was banned in light of being a threat to the peace. The police caved in after protestant pressure but the residents were not consulted. A one-week violent stream ensued leaving the Catholics feeling betrayal and even more confidence had been lost in the police service.
Discussions involving both sides followed but no agreement was reached. Mo Molem (Secretary of the State) was left to make the decision. Nationalists were pessimistic and prepared for a confrontation. Huge numbers of police were posted but when the police withdrew, there was rioting and trouble spread to the rest of province.
Today the Orangemen of the Orange Order at Drumcree continue to try and honour the tradition by marching the same route in Portadown from Drumcree church, despite the opposition. They wear their customary dress of dark suits with white gloves and bowler hats with the essential orange sash, parading their allegiance to the crown further aggravating nationalists. Catholics still fear the parade will be forced down the Garvaghy road and a re-enactment of 1996 will ensue. The newly appointed independent parades commission now decide to block the march at the Garvaghy road, deeming the parade provocative. 1999 saw the parade banned and a huge security operation set up. The ritual stand off occurred, although no trouble happened in Drumcree there were reverberations elsewhere. Tension grew and exploded in a series of, mainly loyalist, related attacks – one man lost an eye, when hit by a bomb - businesses are beginning to suffer the supermarket chain reports a loss of 3,000 customers. It took the brutal murder of three boys, from a mixed marriage, to put an end to this series of tragedies.
Perpetual violence is a problem for everybody connected with Northern Ireland, from the British government to the residents. The financial stain it puts on Britain means the government has less money for other priorities. The ever-increasing large number of parades often requires extensive policing just to make the area relatively safe. Both parties agree that the issue at Drumcree involves more than men marching down a street and it’s what the march symbolises that causes the problem. For the unionists it is the defending of their civil rights and showing their disgust at what they believe is the pre-meditated erosion of their culture. For the Catholics, opposing it represents their avenging of the discrimination felt at every level of society, of their denomination, over the centuries. With all this at stake neither side is willing to compromise. These separate incidents encourage the forming of more paramilitaries factions who become increasingly entrenched, although these people are extreme they don’t see themselves as terrorists but as freedom fighters and these fanatics with the support of a substantial group form a recipe for turmoil. Living with such organisations in their midst residents of Northern Ireland are shrouded in antagonism this subsequently turns to fear and Catholics and Protestants deem the other side their enemy. This is where symbolism becomes reality and violence is the result. The loyalist Volunteer Force was deemed responsible for the murder of Rosemary Nelson, a solicitor representing the residents of the Garvaghy road. In 1997 a twenty five year old catholic was kicked to death in the town centre of Portadown. Adrian Lamph, a council worker, was also shot dead. With this information it is quite understandable when you read the opinions of the Catholic population One 17 year old refused to go into town because he knew there would be trouble.
“We live in fear”
“Why should we make concessions to the people responsible for all the bigotry against us”
People must have someone to blame this is what causes part of the resentment towards Britain and the opposing side. There is a constant labelling of people and the compulsion to know whether a person is a Catholic or Protestant whether they are with you or against you. This is never more evident than in Portadown living on the imaginary fault line dividing communities, every lamppost and pavement stone denotes the residents’ denomination. Religion is but a mask over the underlying cause of the conflict in Ireland the controversial marches to the extreme acts of violence for the good of their cause benefit no one. They cover a more significant truth as people struggle to make their viewpoint heard in the fear that otherwise their culture will fade and disappear, this constant need to reinstate their mark on society has taken it’s toll on Northern Ireland. I feel that time is the only cure and as groups try even greater and more drastic measures to hold on to what they call ‘tradition’, as everyone is afraid of change. Let us hope a new generation will gradually see it as old fashioned and the feeling in Northern Ireland should change for the better.