Bonfire

The Twelfth is an Ulster Protestant celebration held on 12 July. It originated during the late 18th century in Ulster. It celebrates the Glorious Revolution and victory of Protestant king William of Orange over Catholic king James II at the Battle of the Boyne, which began the Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland. On and around the Twelfth, large parades are held by the Orange Order and Ulster loyalist marching bands, streets are bedecked with British flags and bunting. On the night before The Twelfth, huge bonfires are lit and the community celebrate that important event. Lawrence, one of our colleagues give us (to me and António) the opportunity of seeing some bonfires. They were not on fire, but we could see the "bones" of the bonfires, the flags and all the preparations to the Twelfth.

Luís Santos