Irvinestown will host the County Fermanagh Twelfth of July demonstration this year.

Large crowds are expected to attend, including many tourists and visitors to Lakeland County, for what is always a wonderful Twelfth of July celebration.

The Fermanagh parade traditionally encompasses the entire county with Brethren taking part from Newtownbutler, Lisbellaw, Brookeborough, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen, Ballinamallard, Kinawley, Glenawley, Lisnarick, Pettigo, Magheraboy, Church Hill, Maguiresbridge, Garrison and Tempo districts.

The Sisters of Women’s Districts 1, 2 and 3, Junior Lodges from South Fermanagh, Brookeborough, Maguiresbridge, Ballinamallard and South Fermanagh Junior Girls Lodge will also be on parade.

In a great boost for the area, new junior lodges from Derrygonnelly and Tempo and the girl's junior lodge will be on parade for the first time.

Irvinestown also has the pleasure of playing host to visiting lodges from the Republic of Ireland, representing Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan and their bands.

Southern Brethren – who traditionally take pride of place at the front of the main parade – will join with 90 private lodges, members of the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland and approximately 60 bands in one of the larger demonstrations across the province.

The parade will assemble in the walled garden at Castle Irvine estate and then proceed from Necarne Castle through the Necarne estate, Castle Street, Irvinestown main street, A35 Kesh Road to the demonstration field at Moneykee. The parade will return via the same route.

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Leading the way this year will be Tempo District LOL No. 16 accompanied by Tempo Silver Band as the parade gets underway at noon and will arrive at the demonstration field at 1.30pm.

The main proceedings will commence at 2.30pm, where the Guest Speaker will be Wor. Bro. Norman Henry, District Master of Ballinra District LOL No. 1 from County Donegal.

Music and entertainment:

Music for the platform proceedings will be provided by Tempo Silver Band.

Attending the event will be many members of the Imperial Grand Orange Lodge which is meeting in County Fermanagh this year.

There will also be entertainment for children on the day, with musical entertainment on Main Street.

The return parade will get underway at 3pm, finishing at approximately 4.30pm.

Other events

A Mini twelfth will be on 3rd July in Brookeborough, an Arch dedication and band parade will be held in Kesh on 5th July and an 11th night parade will be held in Enniskillen.

Several lodges and bands are celebrating significant milestone events this year.

Drumharvey Pipe Band is celebrating its 90th anniversary, Ardess Accordian Band is marking its 60th anniversary, while Tedd LOL 355 and Glasmullagh LOL 446 will both proudly be parading behind new banners.

Twelfth celebrations in Irvinestown to combine with the Lady of the Lake Festival

These events will overlap for the first time, commemorating the 334th Battle of the Boyne and the annual festival. 

County Grand Master, Mervyn Byers, said combining the events is a "great opportunity".

"This is a great opportunity for everyone to come along and enjoy both these celebrations," he said.

"It is hoped that this will attract people from all communities, and boost local tourism."