Hillsborough gets ready to host Glorious Twelfth

THE 320th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne celebrations in Hillsborough will commence at 11.30am from Newport, Culcavy and proceed along the 1.6 mile route via the Culcavy Road, passing through the Orange Arch at Lisburn Street, to Main Street and reaching Hillsborough Fort at around 12.45pm. Hillsborough Fort is located at the top of Main Street and can be accessed via the 'Dark Walk' which runs down the side of The Plough or via Hillsborough Forest Park.

Hillsborough District LOL No. 19, celebrating it's 90th birthday this year, will lead the parade of 69 lodges and bands followed by Aghalee, Glenavy, Magheragall, Ballinderry, Derriaghy and Lisburn Districts. The organisers expect at least 3,000 Orangemen, women and bands to participate in the celebrations.

District Master of Hillsborough District LOL No. 19, James Magee, is looking forward to welcoming thousands of people to the village. "The Glorious Twelfth is the pinnacle of Festival at the Fort," he said.

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"Hillsborough has a unique link to Orangeism, with the Fort being visited by King William 320 years ago on his journey to the River Boyne. We're very proud of that history and the Fort is an exceptional location for our 12th July celebrations. We want everyone to come along on Monday to enjoy what Orangeism has to offer. The standard of musicianship is unparalleled, our banners are works of art in themselves, and we're carrying on a tradition that goes back centuries."

James also pointed visitors to Hillsborough District's website for the lastest information: "www.district19.co.uk contains all the up to date information on Festival at the Fort. Instantaneous updates will also be posted to our Facebook and Twitter pages. However, there'll still be lots of Orange marshals on the 12th day to help everyone get to where they want to be and our Welcome Hosts will be around the village, if visitors require any information on the parade."

Hillsborough District will have easily identifiable Welcome Hosts on duty around the village on the day who will be able to give up to date information on what's happening and point you in the right direction.

From early on, Diamond Dan and street entertainers will be around the village making the most of any photo opportunities and handing out treats. If you're in the village at 9.30am you'll see a number of the Hillsborough Lodges parade to the assembly field. So, don't be afraid to pitch your deck chair, bring your ten o'clock tea, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the surroundings of Hillsborough.

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The parade will be lead by a horse drawn carriage, containing a number of members who don't want to get their shoes scuffed, followed by the Flagship Twelfth banner. The procession will be lead by the colour party of Hillsborough District LOL No. 19.

Dotted throughout the parade will be a number of Ferguson tractor drawn floats in honour of one of Ulster's most famous sons. Harry Ferguson was a great friend to the Orange Lodges of Hillsborough, often visiting Tullynore LOL 602 and Drumlough True Blues on the Twelfth day and presented Drumlough True Blues with a cup which is still in the Lodge's possession today. Lookout for the Ferguson Flyers throughout the parade. Harry Ferguson was the first man in Ireland to successfully fly a powered airplane in 1909 at Hillsborough Fort.

Mazetown Living History Group will add historic pageantry to the parade, wearing the uniform of the Tiffin Regiment of 1689, who fought at the Battle of the Boyne with King William III, and which, in 1751, became part of the Inniskilling Regiment.

This year the Lodges are competing for the inaugural Cairns Culbert Memorial Cup, which will be presented to the most exemplary Lodge in the parade. Bro. Cairns Culbert was Past Master of Aghadavy Purple Heroes LOL 403 and Past District Master of Aghalee No. 2 District, with the cup being presented by his family to the South Antrim Combine this year. The bands will provide the musical accompaniment to the parade and add even more colour. This year, the Ferguson Memorial Pipe Band will make its first outing, leading Drumlough True Blues LOL 423 to the Fort.

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The last Lodge in the parade will be Sir Edward Carson Memorial LOL 1991 from Lisburn District who'll lead all the spectators into Hillsborough historic fort where, 320 years ago, King William III rested on his journey from Carrickfergus to the River Boyne.

Whilst the parade is ongoing pedestrian access to the Fort can be found through Hillsborough Forest Park.

The fort and lakeside are an ideal location not only for celebration of civil and religious liberty, but for a picnic, so bring your rug and sandwiches and enjoy the backdrop. The kids will be able to do a bungee run or try the rodeo bull and then get an ice cream.

The religious service will commence at 2.30pm on the ramparts with Bro. Alec Luke conducting the service and Bro. Rev. David McCarthy preaching the Gospel. The resolutions will be read and adopted following which the Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra will do a turn. At 3.50pm the Lambeg drumming party within the Fort walls will start to rally the brethren and bands for the return home.

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The parade will reform at 4.30pm for the dander back to Culcavy with Aghalee District, next year's host for the celebrations, leading the procession. The head of the parade is expected to reach Culcavy by 5.30pm when the brethren and bands will return to their respective Orange halls for refreshment and to reflect on the events of the day.

In summary, James hopes that everyone will have a great day: "The 12th day is a family day out for everyone. It's about catching up with friends you haven't seen since last year.

"It's about ice cream, turkey sandwiches, lots of tea, and sore feet. We should be extremely proud of our culture and faith for delivering such a special event.

"All we ask is that you try to get to Hillsborough as early as you can, you work with our marshals and PSNI in using official car parks, and you help us to keep the village tidy. But most of all, enjoy."

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