Orange parade past former Belfast flashpoint passes without incident

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

An Orange Order parade has passed a former flashpoint in Belfast without incident the morning after the traditional July 12 parades in Northern Ireland.

The return parade by Ligoniel Orange lodges past Ardoyne in the north of the city was given the green light to take place a day later by the Parades Commission for the second year in a row.

The area previously saw violent scenes between those who supported the parade and protesters who opposed it passing through the area, particularly on the return route on the evening of July 12.

On Tuesday morning, the parade passed without incident with bands playing a single drum beat amid a low-key police presence.

A small number of parade supporters clapped as it progressed from Woodvale Road on to the Crumlin Road en route to Ligoniel Orange Hall.

Tens of thousands took to the streets across the region on Monday for the annual parades, held on July 13 this year due to July 12 falling on a Sunday.

The parades marked the 336th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, where the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II.

Later on Tuesday the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will take place.

The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James.