The 2002 TWELFTH CELEBRATION—NOT PROVOCATION

1690—2002: 312th Anniversary of the NO SURRENDER! HE TWELFTH is Europe’s largest T indigenous cul- tural and folk festival. For tens of thousands of Ulsterfolk the colour, crack, noise and atmos- phere of the Orange pa- rades are the highlight of the year. The 12th July celebrations are a social, communal and commemorative event. No one should be of- fended by it. However, pan-Irish national chau- vinists – Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Leinster House and elements of the Today, one only has to their Hibernian culture. They talk about an – claim ‘Ireland of equals’ but look at the trouble in All peoples and na- that is a the truth is that they North Belfast to see that tions have the right to ‘sectarian coat trailing don’t want a Prod about this anti-Protestant ha- preserve their unique exercise.’ Some go even the place. In 1934, De- tred and bigotry hasn’t identity. To those pan- further and claim that Valera declared that gone away. It still exists. Irish national chauvin- Protestants have Éire would be ‘a Catho- Secondly, many pan- ists who would deny the no culture. Why? lic country for a Catho- Irish national chauvin- right of Ulster Protes- There are two main lic people’. And Catho- ists cannot – or will not tants to celebrate their reasons. Firstly, many lic sects like Maria try to - understand the heritage and culture, we pan-Irish national chau- Duce flew a Green, mindset of Ulster Prot- have a simple message. vinists are Orangeopho- White and Gold tricol- estants. All they want is Your anti-Protestant big- bic – they have an irra- our – Gold for them an all-embracing ‘one- otry is wrong – and your tional fear and loathing representing the su- size fits all’ Catholic cultural imperialism will of Ulster Protestants. premacy of the Papacy. Gaelic culture. They are be resisted. That old They are simply bigots For them Protestants cultural imperialists who slogan is still relevant - who just hate ‘Huns’. were beneath contempt. tolerate no dissent from No Surrender!

Read The Twelfth on-line. Visit www.the-twelfth.org.uk/

The Twelfth: Celebration not Provocation 2002 www.ulsternation.org.uk/ Page 1

END THE REPUBLICAN BLOCKADE! YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE Let the Ballynafeigh Orangemen walk!

OR OVER one hun- chauvinists have become mas- dred years, Bally- ters of the dark arts of political nafeigh Orangemen spin-doctoring through years F of practice. They can raise have walked in peace from millions of dollars through their Orange Hall on the Or- their worldwide distribution meau Road to join the vari- network, mostly from gullible ous main traditional demon- Americans who have more BRIGHT SUNSHINE greets Ballynafeigh Orangemen and their loyal strations in Belfast City cen- money than sense. comrades, LOL 17 from Larkhall, . This was the scene at last tre. However, they don’t always year’s Twelfth, as the Orange peacefully attempted to walk the length However, since 1995 they get things going their own way. of the Ormeau Road. Again the Parades Commission ruled that Bally- nafeigh district could not use this route to join the main Belfast dem- have been stopped from at- The embarrassing Provo links tending various Orange walks onstration. with the ultra-leftist Colom- The bizarre and arbitrary nature of Parades Commission decisions and Church services. The bian terror group, FARC, have th was vividly illustrated over the last year. In Easter 2001, the Appren- main 12 July Celebrations, left Gerry Adams floundering. tice Boys of Derry were given permission to walk the Ormeau Road – st the ‘mini-Twelfth’ - held on 1 For the first time in ages, the although the ABoD called off their planned parade due to the out- July to remember the blood republicans have been shown break of Foot and Mouth disease. A few months later the Parades sacrifice of thousands of Ul- in a bad light in North Amer- Commission refused the ’s request to walk the same stermen at the Somme - the ica. Unionists could have had road. annual Orange Widows ser- a field day if they had the me- This year, the Commission refused permission for the Apprentice vice and small Church pa- dia savvy but they haven’t Boys to walk the road on Easter Monday. What’s going on here? rades have all been targeted. pressed home their temporary This situation has not come advantage. Republican cheer- about by accident. Pan-Irish leaders in the US like Fr Sean IT’S GOOD TO TALK national chauvinists know that McManus are already doing all Mr. WILLIAM CALDWELL, an Orangeman from Ballynafeigh meets the IRA were unable to break in their power to bury this Rabbi Mayer Schiller from New York. Inspired by reading The Faithful the resolution of Ulsterfolk in story. We can be sure that Tribe by Ruth Dudley Edwards, Rabbi Schiller has twice visited Ulster on fact finding missions. Mr. Caldwell explained why Orangemen 25 years of bombing and kill- they will hype up more stories should be allowed to walk ing. Their sectarian and impe- about rampaging Orange mobs from Ballynafeigh Orange rialist ‘Hot War’ gave way to a in the coming weeks of the Hall along the Ormeau war of cultural position – a ‘marching season’. Road to Belfast City Centre. new ‘Cold War’. Gerry Adams, We can learn a lesson from He noted that the ‘Lower’ at an internal republican meet- this. This new ‘cold war’ is Ormeau Road doesn’t exist ing in 1997, confirmed this largely media driven. To have and slammed the intransi- new strategy. Talking about any chance of success in coun- gence of the Sinn Féin the targeting of another tradi- tering the anti-Orange hate- front-group, ‘Lower’ Or- tional Orange walk – Drum- mongers, their defenders will meau Concerned Citizens. cree – he noted: “Ask any ac- have to be careful in their lan- Glenwood Publications – tivist in the North if Drumcree guage. They will have to ex- the publishers of The happened by accident and plain their principles and tra- Twelfth – intend to produce they will tell you ‘No’. Three ditions in the simplest of a booklet aimed at North America, which will look at traditional Orange walks. This booklet, in years of hard work went into terms. They will have to re- part, will feature the discussion between Mr. Caldwell and Rabbi creating that situation; and peat their key words and Schiller. For an earlier interview with Rabbi Schiller see issue 32 of fair play to those people who phrases constantly to show Third Way magazine or visit www.ulsternation.org.uk put the work in. These are the that the Orange Order is sim- type of scene changes that we ply a traditionalist Protestant have to focus on, develop; and fraternal organisation which exploit.” seeks to offend no-one and THE FACE OF HATE Pan-Irish national chauvin- that Catholics have nothing to ists in South Belfast have fear from Orange walks. These GERARD RICE is the main spokesman for the Sinn Féin front-group, worked very hard to bring celebrate the achievement of ‘Lower’ Ormeau Road Concerned about the ‘scene changes’ that civil and religious liberties for Citizens. In the late 1980s he was jailed for IRA membership Adams spoke about. These all. and arms offences. Pan-Irish ‘scene changes’ include suc- The truth is that hatemongers national chauvinists like Gerard cessfully twisting the English operating in the lower end of Rice falsely claims that Orange language (so that peaceful and the Ormeau Road have suc- walks are ‘sectarian coat-trailing traditional Orange walks are ceeded in blockading it against exercises’. This is a lie. As any- now viewed as ‘sectarian coat their neighbours because they one knows, the 12th July celebra- trailing exercises’) and con- don’t like how Orangemen tions are generally held in a car- vincing the world that there is celebrate their traditions, how nival atmosphere. Noise, colour, a ‘Lower’ Ormeau Road – a they dress, what music they crack and banter are an impor- Catholic road in its own right! play and the way they conduct tant ingredient of Europe’s larg- The people behind this mas- themselves on the way to their est indigenous folk and cultural sive orangeophobic propa- place of worship. Ballynafeigh festival. On the Twelfth day, ganda onslaught cannot be Orangemen have every right to hatemongers like Gerard Rice are the real sectarian bigots – dismissed as a bunch of walk the length of the Ormeau not the thousands of participants ‘ignorant mad paddies’. Far Road. It’s high time that the and onlookers. from it! Pan-Irish national- blockade was lifted!

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WHAT THE TWELFTH MEANS TO ME

WHY DO Protestants celebrate on the 12th July? Is it simply just an excuse for an Ulster-wide ‘booze-up’ and a chance to rub Catholic noses in the dirt? Or does it represent something much deeper? Here, Jerry from Castle- caulfield in Co. Tyrone, explores the culturally conservative values that underpin the Twelfth. His Co. Tyrone “country Twelfth” is a “social, communal and commemorative” event. He acknowledges that the Twelfth is a tri- umphant occasion – but not a celebration of Catholic subjugation. For as Jerry notes: “for thirty years Orange- men ourselves have been the subjugated. It is rather the triumph of the underdog, an entire community celebrat- ing our own survival in the face of midnight assassination, of economic war and of the state sponsored anti- Protestant discrimination… It is a celebration of our community, our shared heritage, our place in the world”.

HEN I WAS Protestants cannot live' four years old, has been ridiculed many my Father times. In spite of the ridi- W cule no one has explained brought me on my first Twelfth Parade up the why, where Orangemen Main Street of our home cannot walk, the Protes- village of Castlecaulfield tant population disap- in County Tyrone. I re- pears like snow off a sheugh. The Twelfth also member the day well, the represents continuity in earliest memory which I our community, values can actually date. Orange and ideals passed from and purple and black, old to young and held in umbrellas and the smoke common by those of all from Gallaher's Blue ages. Freedom to worship cigarettes, cheap ham- and think and say what burgers with tomato we like; our Protestant sauce that tasted of vine- religion; the Union; our gar, strawberries and support for the British cream. The broadest of State and our independ- Tyrone accents; the damp “The triumph of the underdog” ence from its corruption sweaty smell of pipes; the and secularism. Most of beat of the Lambegs and all, the Twelfth is about my extended family come King Billy had come to of my elders, I became our survival as a culturally down from the hills. Old Ulster and saved us from aware of the deeper sig- and religiously distinct men and young men, being killed or forced to nificance of the celebra- people. laughing girls and family go back to Scotland from tion – its symbolic repre- The Twelfth is therefore fall-out's. Canon Wil- where we came. It was in sentation of community a triumphant occasion. It liams complementing me his memory that we solidarity. The village is not a celebration of our from the top table at hav- marched. King Billy him- where I was raised lies neighbours’ subjugation - ing walked the whole self along with the Mar- just by the foothills of the for thirty years Orange- mile and a half there and shall Duke of Schomberg Cappagh mountains. For men ourselves have been back, roast beef and dried and even George Walker, all the joy of the occasion; the subjugated. It is potato. Childhood a Governor of 'Derry who the carnival atmosphere, rather the triumph of the memories of a folk festi- was Rector of St Mi- the hamburgers and the underdog, an entire com- val anywhere. chael's, a local Church, games, there were always munity celebrating our There are three ele- were displayed in all their whispered and half- own survival in the face of ments which make up a glory on gorgeous ban- remembered conversa- midnight assassination, of country Twelfth: the so- ners. This is the most tions about the shootings; economic war and of the cial, the communal and obvious significance of the burned barns; the bul- state sponsored anti- the commemorative. As the Twelfth, and the one lets pushed through the Protestant discrimination a child I was mainly which any unbiased ob- letter boxes; the intimida- which encourages so aware of the first and last server can see. It is a car- tion that Protestants in many of our young people elements; that our rela- nival complete with fancy Coalisland, Pomeroy, to emigrate to England tions descended upon us dress bands and festive Cappagh, in fact all along and Scotland in search of like a swarm of locusts; food. It is the commemo- the mountains, have had work. It is a celebration to bear for the past thirty that old friendships were ration of a 17th century of our community, our years. The knowledge that renewed, new ones ce- victory by the re-creation shared heritage, our place we are on our own made, mented, deals struck of a 17th century army, in the world. It is also a and makes, the signifi- and - occasionally - complete with banners, statement: 'we are not cance of the occasion matches made. I was fifes and drums. defeated, we will not be much more than simply defeated, we are the peo- also taught that very long As I grew older and was social. The saying 'Where ago, a great man called taken into the confidence ple. We go on.' Orangemen cannot walk,

The Twelfth: Celebration not Provocation 2002 www.ulsternation.org.uk/ Page 3 PRODS JUST WANna HAVE FUN! Cultural Protestants and the Twelfth INCE THE MID 90s pan-Irish national-chauvinists have successfully waged an Ulster-wide Orangeophobic campaign of hatred, defamation are drifting away from Sand slander. The Orange and Black institutions and the Apprentice the old certainties that Boys of Derry have been the main targets for all the poisonous invective. many of their elders Also in the firing line have been a number of small isolated Protestant com- hold dear. I have a munities in rural areas - and trouble is virtually a way of life for the patch- friend from rural work of small Protestant areas in North Belfast. County Armagh whose parents are heavily in- For some reason, the Unionist and Orange ‘doing the double’ etc. volved in the church, leadership has been unable to respond to these I remember being very and she and her sib- hate mongers. Indeed, they don’t seem to have unpopular for chal- lings were brought up a coherent strategy to counter this viciously intol- lenging both of these in this milieu, but all erant hatred of any public display of Protestant assumptions – one on have now left a large culture and identity. This public relations failure the grounds that we part of it behind, none has allowed pan-Irish national chauvinists to were living in the 20th go to church on any paint a picture of ‘Orange Monsters’ rampaging Century, and the other form of regular basis – through quiet and peaceful Catholic areas. It has on the basis that if typically weddings and also allowed the hate mongers to portray all Prot- they looked at any funerals which tends estants as belonging to a monolithic block of Bi- Loyalist enclave in to be the case with ble-bashing fanatics, drunks, murderers and big- Belfast, then they were most urban Prods. ots. just as likely to find But despite this ap- So what’s the truth? Are Ulster Protestants just people doing the very parent rejection of the one intolerant monolithic block? Are we all mo- same thing – it was a values many within rose bigots - or, individually, are we as diverse as necessary step for sur- the community still any other ethnic or religious grouping? For a vival for many fami- hold some vestiges of deeper understanding of cultural – and the importance of the 12th July celebrations - we spoke to David Gilliland. David is a former “...many within the full-time community worker and is now active Protestant community within the cultural sector. He has lived all his life in a working-class area of North Belfast. wouldn’t have the first idea about any of the principles The Twelfth. Do larised. Many sociolo- of Protestantism” you think it's fair to gists would argue that say that the vast this is the case across lies. I think that was religious belief, indeed majority of urban the world in terms of probably the first time at the time of the vote Protestants would city dwellers being that I became aware regarding Sunday be 'cultural Protes- more likely to have a that the rural/urban opening of pubs, one tants' and the ma- secular outlook than divide was so wide. of the UUP MP’s was jority of rural Prot- their rural counter- I also know from my witnessed staggering estants would be parts. work within the Loyal- from the Members Bar 'Bible Protestants'? I remember being at ist/Unionist commu- drunk, to vote against a conference many nity, that many loyal- Sunday Opening. I David Gilliland. I years back at which ists outside Belfast re- have also been at would certainly accept some of those present gard it as ‘a den of in- meetings where men that there is a very were talking about two iquity’. Although here who normally swear strong rural/urban issues – the first was there is also the added like navvies hold their split within the Prot- all about ‘Popery and complication that tongue when a minis- estant community. I Superstition’ and the there is also an age di- ter is present. That would also accept that other was in relation vide. Younger people said, many within the urban Prods now tend to how ‘Catholics were are more secular in Protestant community to be much more secu- more likely to be outlook. Young people wouldn’t have the first

The Twelfth: Celebration not Confrontation 2002 www.the-twelfth.org.uk/ Page 4 idea about any of the ‘believer’ as they have weren’t being direct as anything else. I en- principles of Protes- rejected the whole no- enough in opposing joy the day out. I meet tantism, and not all in tion of God, but yet the Anglo-Irish Agree- up with friends and we the rural areas would even they would de- ment. I watch the parade and be Bible-believing fine themselves as never have a few beers. The Protestants waiting for Prods. There is also an trans- religious aspect of it is the latest broadcast by element within it of always some Jimmy Swaggart being proud of the in my type. whole Ulster heritage mind, and the traditions they but The Twelfth. How have grown up within, largely would you define so perhaps ‘cultural plays little ‘cultural Protes- Prods’ is a more part in the tantism’? meaningful term. day. This is defi- nitely the case over David Gilliland. I the last number of think in some ways it years and that may could be a polite way change but not in the of saying ‘nominal foreseeable future. Prod’. Many people I feel the whole thing within the Loyalist/ is very important. I Unionist community reject the notion that are not really Protes- has arisen over the tants but call them- The Twelfth. As a last number of years selves Prods as a way cultural Protes- of letting you know tant, how do you they are not Catholics. view the Twelfth? “The Twelfth used to be a good There is, however, a Do you see it as col- large number for our, excitement day out for all, and can still be. No whom some of the as- and music? Do you one should be offended by it, nor pects of Protestantism take any interest in are very important, its religious as- should it be allowed to perish.” but cannot, or perhaps pect? will not, accept the re- ferred from the that it is an exercise in ligious baggage. I David Gilliland. I ‘Juniors’ into the coat trailing. Many of would probably class have grown up with Lodge proper, and de- those making these myself in this cate- the Twelfth. I joined spite being asked claims are bigots who gory. I am a believer the Orange Order at many times over the hate all expressions of to a point, but as yet I about 12 years of age, years since I have Protestantism, either cannot make the leap and for about four never wanted to join religious or cultural, of faith required. years carried the Dis- again. I think that is yet cannot be honest However the whole trict Bannerette every in part due to the fact enough to say this is tradition of Protes- year on the Twelfth. I that I couldn’t in all the case. The Twelfth tantism and the belief got involved in politi- conscience take the used to be a good day structure is very im- cal circles round about Oath of Allegiance to out for all, and can portant to me. I have 17 and sort of drifted the Queen. still be. No one should friends who were quite away from the Orange I always however go be offended by it, nor shocked when they Order, probably be- to watch the Twelfth, should it be allowed to found out I was a cause I thought they as much for the bands perish.

THANKS TO David Gilliland for this thought-provoking interview. He has successfully articulated the views held by many ordinary working class cultural Protestants. A stark contrast exists between this posi- tion and the naked hatred and anti-Protestant bigotry of pan-Irish national chauvinism. Hate mongers like Gerard Rice claim that they want a ‘united Ireland of equals’. However, the truth is that they ‘don’t want a Prod about the place’. If you’d like to share your thoughts and memories of the 12th July celebrations – Europe’s largest indigenous cultural and folk festival – get in touch with us today! Write to: Glenwood Publications, First Floor, 316 , Belfast, BT13 3AB. Telephone: 077 9047 4353.

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LET’S TELL THE TRUTH! RE YOU fed up home and with the way the abroad. We media reports particularly the Twelfth of need to step up JulyA celebrations? Are you the propaganda fed up with pan-Irish na- war abroad. tional chauvinists painting The article be- a picture of 'Orange Mon- low is aimed at sters' rampaging through an overseas au- quiet and peaceful Catho- dience – that is lic areas? Are you also fed why it has been up with the inability of Or- translated from ange and unionist leaders English into Ser- to explain their position? bian. Other lan- You are? Then why not do guage versions something about it? are planned. It Take extra copies of The shows how the ‘Twelfth' is point in European history. tury, the celebrations are a Twelfth and distribute them not some reactionary sec- Far from being a hangover distinct part of Ulster's cul- to friends and relatives at tarian circus but a turning from the seventeenth cen- tural identity. 1690 – The Year of European Freedom defender of the doctrine of 'the led to his removal by William freedoms gained by the Glori- Divine Right of Kings', as prac- and his final defeat at the Battle ous Revolution are still remem- tised in France by the 'Sun of the Boyne. bered today. Celebrating the King', Louis XIV. Louis was the The accession of William and Williamite victory is not a absolute dictator of France and Mary to the Throne was a pro- 'sectarian coat-trailing exer- James wanted to have the same gressive step forward for the cise'. ‘The Twelfth’ is Europe's English dictatorial powers in England, British peoples. The Stuarts' largest indigenous folk and Scotland and Ireland. In Eng- tyrannical arbitrary power was cultural festival. Historically HE TWELFTH cele- land, the principle had become overthrown and the Constitu- and culturally, it inextricably brates the Williamite well established that elected tional Monarchy and parlia- links Ulster with Europe. It T victory of 1690. This representatives of his subjects mentary government were es- marks one of the most pivotal was when the forces of William, should check the King's actions tablished. (We now know that dates in the shaping of Euro- Prince of Orange defeated and that those representatives the system of parliamentary pean history – for 1690 was the those of his father-in-law, should be able to make laws. It representation is not in itself year of European Freedom. James Stuart at the Battle of was by no means truly democ- genuinely democratic. How- That’s why we ought to carry on the Boyne. This was no family ratic, but it was a step away ever, it's better than the royal remembering 1690! squabble, but a real turning from ‘absolutism’. It is not tyranny and arbitrary power point in European history. surprising that James encoun- that James represented). King James II was a stout tered strong opposition, which As we all know, the limited 1690 – Godina Evropske Slobode Kraq Xejms II je bio ~vrst branilac doktrine nije sukobilo jaku opoziciju, Kao {to svi znamo, “Bo`anskog prava Kraqa”, koja je dovela do Kraqevog ograni~ene slobode dobijene kao {to je bilo praktik- smaknu}a od strane Vilijama Slavnom Revolucijom su i ovano u Francuskoj od i wegovog kona~nog kraha u danas zapam}ene. Proslava strane Kraqa Sunca, Luja bici na Bojnu. Viliamske pobede nije XIV. Luj je bio okrutan dik- Stupawe Vilijama i Meri “verska ve`ba”. “Dvanaesti” Serbian tator Francuske te se Xejms na Presto je bio progresivan je najve}i evropski doma}i trudio da se ugleda na wega korak napred za britanski folklorni i kulturni festi- NA SRPSKOM `ele}i da ima iste diktator- narod. Stjuartska tiranska val . Istorijski i kulturno, ske vlasti u Engleskoj , samovoqa je bila pre- festival nepogre{ivo spaja vanaesti proslavqa [kotskoj i Irskoj. U Engle- vazi|ena i Konstituivna Alster sa Evropom . Festi- Viqamovsku pobedu skoj, dobro je u~vr{}en prin- Monarhija i parlamentarna val obele`ava jedan od sredi 1690. Tada je vojska cip da izabrani predstav- Vlada je bila uspostavqena. {wih datuma u formirawu D (Sada znamo da taj sistem Evropske istorije – za 1690 Vilijama, Princa nici od wegovih podanika Oran{kog pobedila vojsku mogu proveravati Kraqeve parlamentarnog predstavni bila je godina Evropske slo- Xejmsa Stjuarta, wegovog postupke i da ti predstav- {tva nije izvorno demokrat- bode. Zato mi te`imo da tasta, u bici na Bojnu. To nici mogu da izdaju zakon. To ski. Ipak, boqe je nego nastavimo pam}ewe na 1690!

nije bio porodi~ni obra~un svakako nije bilo demokrat- kraqevska tiranija i samo- voqa koju je Xejms pred- Thanks to Marko from Novi Sad for ve} prava ta~ka preokreta u sko , ali je bio samo korak translating this article into Serbian. evropskoj istoriji. daqe od “apsolutizma”. To stavqao).

The Twelfth: Celebration not Confrontation 2002 www.the-twelfth.org.uk/ Page 6 HOME & AWAY ... LAST YEAR we featured an article by Stephen Moore entitled What the Twelfth means to me. He termed the 12th celebrations “Ulster’s Fourth of July, Ulster’s Mardi Gras” and called for the Tourist Board to market the 12th July accordingly. Following this theme, we spoke to two members of the German Rang- ers Network - Hermann from Hamburg and Chris from near Frankfurt. We asked them to record their memo- ries of the colour, noise and flavour of the 12th celebra- tions - Europe’s largest indigenous folk and cultural fes- tival. Here are their stories… HERMANN MULLER, CHRIS K, Hamburg Rangers Supporters Club. Frankfurt, a loyal Rangers Supporter.

HAVE ALWAYS fan- driven all over East Belfast LOVE ULSTER, the cied the famous Glas- to see those mighty bon- country is very fine and gave me one of their polo gow Rangers. It be- fires. The 11th night really the Protestant people shirts. I I Then the parade began. It came clear that there is a sticks in my mind. Frag- are brilliant! I came over deep-rooted love among the ments of impressions are for a week to see the 12th was brilliant!! I had to travelling Bears for a coun- still in my head: that huge parade last year. On the march a very long way try on the far western mar- flickering bonfire, cans of Saturday I saw a fantastic through the streets of Bel- gin of Europe, a country I beer, techno music, short parade of a lot of flute bands fast. It was a fantastic feel- then only knew as a rather hair, tattooed forearms dis- on the Shankill Road. On ing to hear the wonderful backward, religion-ridden playing the Red Hand, bala- Sunday I went with friends sound of all the flutes and region. I simply had to find clavas, salutes and shots to to support the drums all the time and to out myself. Going to Belfast, fired in the air. It was an Orange Order at Drumcree. see thousands and thou- after having made friends atmosphere that was both In the night of 11th I saw a sands of people standing at with some of the Ulster- thrilling and deeply fright- big, big, bonfire on the the streets, shouting and based Rangers men, was ening, an atmosphere in Shore Road in North Bel- celebrating. The people just the logical consequence, which you are glad to be fast. It was unbelievable. came from all over to see as it always seems to be bet- part of it all and accepted as Hundreds of people came to and celebrate the 12th. ter to make use of ones own a friend. see the bonfire and to cele- On the return part of the eyes before passing judge- The 12th, however, was ment. different. The male, tough I was eagerly awaiting the mood of East Belfast had 12th of July. I understood been left behind, and Shaft- “ I love Ulster, the country roughly what was going to esbury Square was crowded be celebrated. King William with families, old people fought a battle close to a and kids. What a joy it was river known as the Boyne for me to see that the Krauts is very fine and the and defeated his opponent are not the only nation who James II (or Jakob der enjoy marching! What a Zweite, as the German au- sight it was. All those bands Protestant people are thors have it). But it took with their different colours me ages to get the historical and flags, those young boys background: What was the in front of them hurling ” situation like in Europe at around their sticks, not to brilliant! that time? Why was it that a forget members of the audi- Dutch king crossed the ence who were actually clad brate. It was 12 o`clock parade, everybody in the channel to support the Eng- like the celebrated king when the highlight began Flute Band got a sombrero! lish and Scottish Protes- himself! It was enjoyable, it and an Eire tricolour went It was very funny and all the tants? And where was the was fun. But there was a up in flames. people on the streets link between Protestantism certain ‘stoutness’, a strange The next morning, I was laughed about this joke. In and a quarrel that was obvi- determination beneath the wakened very early. It was the evening after the parade th ously succession-related? I obvious celebrations, a ‘will’ the greatest event of the I celebrated the 12 with a did not have a clue, and to be proud which made the year: the 12th parade! drink, but I was very tired frankly, I do not think I whole event completely dif- Everyone was dressed in and I could hardly move my really have today! All I ferent to the shooters` their best clothes and the feet. However, this day was know was that on the 12th, marches which I am used to streets of Belfast were deco- one of the best moments in people in Belfast would in Germany. This was fun, rated with flags and differ- my life! It was a great hon- celebrate the victory of but there was more to it. ent colours. Thanks to my our for me to have marched "their King Billy". Nevertheless, I enjoyed my- friend Billy, I was allowed to with my friends and the I was picked up by my self, because I felt part of it. march with the local band – band. It was a fantastic and friends on the 11th night and Pride of the Shore - who brilliant week in Ulster. I'll come over again in 2002.

The Twelfth: Celebration not Provocation 2002 www.ulsternation.org.uk/ Page 7 REMEMBER 1690

ELCOME to issue 3 of The Twelfth— produced MAIL ORDER by Glenwood Publications to present a posi- W tive side of the 12th July celebrations. We want to counter the lies and misrepresentations told about MERCHANDISING Europe’s largest indigenous cultural and folk celebration. The Twelfth has a dual purpose. Firstly, it seeks to capture the flavour, colour and atmosphere of the parades. We seek to ne of our main aims is to build the infrastructure of an alternative carry as many reports as possible on what the Twelfth means to mass media of news and entertainment. And if we are serious about you. Secondly, it has an important educational and cultural role. o building this alternative media, we need money – and lots of it. The items listed below therefore serve a dual purpose – as each item sold Thus, one of our main aims is to communicate the fact that King helps us raise money to spread the word. We can guarantee that all money William’s triumph at the Boyne was a victory for democracy goes into building this mass media, as those involved with Ulster Nation and against dictatorship. The Twelfth don’t take a penny in wages or expenses. Please make your The Twelfth also plays a vital role in our strategy of building cheques or postal orders out to ULSTER FUND. For a new catalogue, write the infrastructure of an alternative mass media of news and en- to the address below or e-mail us at [email protected] tertainment. And the need to organise such a media can be best illustrated by taking a look at the situation in North America. FLAGS Over forty million Americans claim to be of ‘Irish’ descent. However, around twenty million of them are actually of Ulster- Ulster National Flag. Fly the world’s most dynamic national Scots/Scots-Irish blood! They are the descendants of those who flag! The red Cross of St. Patrick overlaid on the blue field of the fled these shores because of anti-Protestant bigotry and oppres- St. Andrew’s Cross charged in the centre with a golden star bear- sion. Yet how many of these folks would know anything about ing the traditional Red Hand of Ulster. Excellent quality double- what’s happening in Ulster? How many would know the true sided polyester flag. Measures 5x3 feet. The Ulster National significance of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690? Indeed, how Flag costs only £10.00 (including post and packing). many would hear anything positive about the 12th July celebra- tions? In America, virtually all news about Ulster comes from a pan- CDs Irish national chauvinist perspective. And it’s not hard to see why - Irish-Americans are very well organised. As well as sev- A Clatter O Fowk. This excellent CD celebrates the ancient eral newspapers such as the Irish Voice and Boston Herald cultural links between Ulster and Scotland. It features everything they also operate radio stations. For instance, they have an from the McNeilstown Pipe Band to unaccompanied singers like internet radio station - Radio Free Éireann - in New York Elizabeth McLeister. You’ll love the Appalachian Strings – and City. The Catholic Fordham University also features ‘Irish’ listen out for My Darling’s In Tennessee by Roy Arbuckle. A programmes on its radio station. Clatter O Fowk costs £11.00 (including post and packing). Isn’t it about time this media stranglehold is challenged? For too long Irish-Americans – the ‘raucous caucus’ – have had it all their own way. Instead of just moaning about how ‘the Taigs are Fae Oot O Slemish. Two of Ulster’s greatest folk and tradi- good at propaganda’ we need to start building the infrastructure tional musicians on one CD! Listen to the songs of Willie Dren- of our alternative mass media of news and entertainment. nan and John Scott Trotter. Hear the fiddle, tin whistle, wee Lam- We need to communicate with - and educate - those millions of beg, accordion and bagpipes. Listen out for Soldier’s Joy, which Americans who are of Ulster blood. The Twelfth is not some features two separate fiddling styles – Ulster-Scots and Appa- ‘sectarian coat-trailing exercise’. Nor is it some reactionary sec- lachian. Fae Oot O Slemish costs £11.00 tarian circus. As we noted earlier, King William’s Glorious Revo- (including post and packing). lution was a victory for democracy against dictatorship. The Glorious Revolution heralded the principle of civil and religious LITERATURE liberties for all. That’s why we ought to carry on remembering 1690 – and that’s what we need to keep telling our American kinsfolk. Back issues of Ulster Nation. Three mixed But to do this we need several more web-sites – with one being issues (our choice) for £1.50 including post- specifically about the Twelfth celebrations – and we need at least age. Current issue only £1.20 including one internet radio station. We also need to produce many book- postage. lets on various aspects of the Twelfth. To do this we need to at- tract new writers and build both an effective fundraising and distribution network. Can you help with any of these important The Real McCoy tasks? If you treasure freedom and liberty, get in touch today! W F McCoy: Prophet of Ulster-nationalism

THE TWELFTH The Real McCoy is the first volume in our series of North- ern Ireland politics booklets. These are designed to promote interest in all Glenwood Publications aspects of Ulster politics from a radical Ulster-nationalist perspective. First Floor W F McCoy, QC, MP was unionist MP for South Tyrone in the old 316 Shankill Road Northern Ireland Parliament. He caused uproar among the cosy Unionist Belfast BT13 3AB Party establishment in the late 1940s and early 1950s when he called for Tel. 077 9047 4353 total legislative independence within the Empire - ‘Dominion Status’ - for E-mail: [email protected] Ulster. This booklet from the editor of Ulster Nation tells his story. Get www.the-twelfth.org.uk/ your copy today. Only £2.00 (including postage and packing). www.ulsternation.org.uk/

This issue of The Twelfth is dedicated to the memory of Billy Johnston and John Everitt. Billy Johnston was only in his early fifties when he died of cancer on 25th August, 2001. He was an enthusiastic reader of both The Twelfth and Ulster Nation magazines. Billy was a true Ulster patriot. John Everitt died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage on 4th March, 2002. He was 38. John will always be remembered for his sledgehammer wit – he was never afraid to call a spade a spade! Both are gone but not forgotten. In proud and loving memory.

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