County Fermanagh’s Twelfth of July celebrations descended on Irvinestown earlier today in a spectacle of colour, pomp and music.
Thousands visited the town to both partake in the demonstration hosted by County Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge and to spectate in what is the showpiece in the Orange Order’s calendar.
An early visitor to the fun of Fermanagh was Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on his official visit to County Fermanagh and his first visit West of the Bann.
Mr. Benn said: “It was a great pleasure to meet everyone here. I'm looking forward to seeing the parade to see this celebration of culture and history.”
He boasted of his Fermanagh roots. His mother’s great-grandfather’s name is inscribed on a headstone at Holy Trinity Church, Clogh, near Rosslea, which he later visited.
Mr. Benn explained that this was his first time attending the Twelfth of July in Northern Ireland.
He said he was looking forward to “watching the celebration of culture and history in a family-friendly way".
Reflecting on the wider significance of the Twelfth of July, he said: “It’s really important that all of us, from whatever community we come from, whatever background, are able to celebrate our culture and do so in a way that is inclusive and not exclusive.
"I am sure that I will see that here today and that is partly why I have come to Irvinestown."
County Grand Master Mervyn Byers reflected on a positive day in Irvinestown and was delighted with the relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere.
He was pleased to welcome Mr. Benn to the Irvinestown demonstration and believes his visit helped put Fermanagh on the map.
He said: “There is cross-community involvement here today and the Grand Lodge invited the Secretary of State Hilary Benn here and that was wonderful.
“He was here this morning and there was a huge media scrum around him, and I hosted him.
“He is only a few days in Northern Ireland and he picked Fermanagh out of 19 parades that are on in Northern Ireland and that is just great.
“It is a great boost for the whole county and puts Fermanagh on the map.”
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