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Ulster Covenant: Thousands on centenary parade Ulster Covenant: Thousands on centenary parade
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of people have been taking part in commemorations in Belfast to mark one of the most significant dates in unionist history.Thousands of people have been taking part in commemorations in Belfast to mark one of the most significant dates in unionist history.
The six-mile march from central Belfast to Stormont marked the 100th anniversary of the Ulster Covenant, to oppose Home Rule for Ireland in 1912.The six-mile march from central Belfast to Stormont marked the 100th anniversary of the Ulster Covenant, to oppose Home Rule for Ireland in 1912.
There was no trouble at a contentious feeder parade past a north Belfast Catholic church on Saturday morning.There was no trouble at a contentious feeder parade past a north Belfast Catholic church on Saturday morning.
The biggest policing operation in 20 years is under way in the city.The biggest policing operation in 20 years is under way in the city.
A century ago, the signing of the document laid the foundations for the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland a decade later.A century ago, the signing of the document laid the foundations for the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland a decade later.
RestrictionsRestrictions
Northern Ireland's Parades Commission, which makes determinations on contentious marches, had placed restrictions on the part of the route past St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street.Northern Ireland's Parades Commission, which makes determinations on contentious marches, had placed restrictions on the part of the route past St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street.
The police will be mightily relieved that the early stages of the parade passed off peacefully. The huge security operation surrounding the Ulster Covenant parade went better than anyone dared to hope.
The fear was that an outbreak of violence would set the tone for the rest of the day. Yes, there were some unsavoury incidents, but no-one was injured and the vast majority of the 30,000-strong marchers behaved impeccably.
Marchers abided by a legal ruling to only play hymns when they passed a Catholic church in north Belfast. The nationalist protesters had their say. The unionist marchers enjoyed their big day.
However, rarely in history has the hymn, Abide With Me, been played so belligerently. Much of the credit must go to the police. For the 10-year-old Police Service of Northern Ireland, this was their finest hour.
Nonetheless, a difficult day for the police has got off to an encouraging start.
A representative of a nationalist residents group which had contested the ruling said he was glad it had passed off without incident, but claimed the Parades Commission's determination had been breached.A representative of a nationalist residents group which had contested the ruling said he was glad it had passed off without incident, but claimed the Parades Commission's determination had been breached.
"With one band in particular, the bass drummer danced outside St Patrick's and nobody can work out what type of hymn that was," said Frank Dempsey of the Carrick Hill Residents Association."With one band in particular, the bass drummer danced outside St Patrick's and nobody can work out what type of hymn that was," said Frank Dempsey of the Carrick Hill Residents Association.
"The minute they passed the church, a number of bands reverted to playing (Orange Order song) the Sash and clearly broke the restriction.""The minute they passed the church, a number of bands reverted to playing (Orange Order song) the Sash and clearly broke the restriction."
Up to 30,000 people from eight loyal orders were taking part in the events, including a religious service and celebration at Stormont.Up to 30,000 people from eight loyal orders were taking part in the events, including a religious service and celebration at Stormont.
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said: "Just as back in 1912, people set aside any differences that they might have within the unionist community, today we're not here as Ulster Unionists or TUV or DUP, we're here simply as unionists."Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said: "Just as back in 1912, people set aside any differences that they might have within the unionist community, today we're not here as Ulster Unionists or TUV or DUP, we're here simply as unionists."
The DUP leader added: "It's good to get a sense of the occasion that there must have been 100 years ago, and we have a real expectation that this will be an enjoyable day for all who are taking part in it."The DUP leader added: "It's good to get a sense of the occasion that there must have been 100 years ago, and we have a real expectation that this will be an enjoyable day for all who are taking part in it."
Northern Ireland's Chief Constable Matt Baggott said the parade had been been "dignified".Northern Ireland's Chief Constable Matt Baggott said the parade had been been "dignified".
"Today there's been an overwhelming mood of dignity and respect and enjoyment and mutual co-operation," he said."Today there's been an overwhelming mood of dignity and respect and enjoyment and mutual co-operation," he said.
"Most people are just here to enjoy themselves and treat each other with mutual respect."Most people are just here to enjoy themselves and treat each other with mutual respect.
"We do evidence-gather, we'll look at that in due course, have an assessment. If people have breached the law then we'll report that to the Public Prosecution Service.""We do evidence-gather, we'll look at that in due course, have an assessment. If people have breached the law then we'll report that to the Public Prosecution Service."
Earlier on Saturday, thousands paraded through Sandy Row in south Belfast, many wearing traditional dress, reminiscent of 1912.Earlier on Saturday, thousands paraded through Sandy Row in south Belfast, many wearing traditional dress, reminiscent of 1912.
The leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, Billy Hutchinson, addressed the crowd. He told them to "march with pride, march with the wind of history at their back and the spirit of the Ulster Covenant at their core".The leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, Billy Hutchinson, addressed the crowd. He told them to "march with pride, march with the wind of history at their back and the spirit of the Ulster Covenant at their core".
Among those at the Stormont event was BNP leader Nick Griffin, who was handing out leaflets.Among those at the Stormont event was BNP leader Nick Griffin, who was handing out leaflets.
The feeder parade from Carlisle Circus in north Belfast included 14 bands and six lodges, amounting to around 2,000 people in total.The feeder parade from Carlisle Circus in north Belfast included 14 bands and six lodges, amounting to around 2,000 people in total.
Part of their route was past St Patrick's Catholic Church on Donegall Street where there has been controversy and violence associated with parades during the summer.Part of their route was past St Patrick's Catholic Church on Donegall Street where there has been controversy and violence associated with parades during the summer.
The Parades Commission has ruled that only hymn music is to be played as bands pass the church and has limited any nationalist protest to 150 people.The Parades Commission has ruled that only hymn music is to be played as bands pass the church and has limited any nationalist protest to 150 people.
Last month, seven police officers were injured when trouble broke out after several loyalist bands defied a Parades Commission ruling by playing music as they marched past the church.Last month, seven police officers were injured when trouble broke out after several loyalist bands defied a Parades Commission ruling by playing music as they marched past the church.
The Royal Black Institution, which had organised the 25 August parade, later apologised "for any offence caused" to clergy and parishioners at St Patrick's.The Royal Black Institution, which had organised the 25 August parade, later apologised "for any offence caused" to clergy and parishioners at St Patrick's.
In an open letter, it said its anger was not directed at the Catholic church.In an open letter, it said its anger was not directed at the Catholic church.
Meanwhile, the commission also placed the sacred music restriction on those bands that pass St Matthew's Catholic Church on the Newtownards Road, in the east of the city on Saturday.Meanwhile, the commission also placed the sacred music restriction on those bands that pass St Matthew's Catholic Church on the Newtownards Road, in the east of the city on Saturday.
However, this was breached by some bands who played the Sash as they passed the church.However, this was breached by some bands who played the Sash as they passed the church.
A Parades Commission spokesman said: "Any breach of a determination is a matter for the police to investigate and those involved could be liable to prosecution.A Parades Commission spokesman said: "Any breach of a determination is a matter for the police to investigate and those involved could be liable to prosecution.
"The commission will take previous behaviour and any breaches into account in reaching future decisions.""The commission will take previous behaviour and any breaches into account in reaching future decisions."
On the Stormont estate, there were a number of covenant exhibitions and displays, and events included performances from the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra, the Bright Lights Highland Dancers and the County Antrim Fife and Drum.On the Stormont estate, there were a number of covenant exhibitions and displays, and events included performances from the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra, the Bright Lights Highland Dancers and the County Antrim Fife and Drum.
Ahead of Saturday's events, the Orange Order said it was expecting a "fun-filled" day.Ahead of Saturday's events, the Orange Order said it was expecting a "fun-filled" day.
Dr David Hume, the Order's director of services, said: "This will be a major event and a family day for enjoyment and celebration. We look forward to welcoming people from across Northern Ireland and beyond."Dr David Hume, the Order's director of services, said: "This will be a major event and a family day for enjoyment and celebration. We look forward to welcoming people from across Northern Ireland and beyond."
The main parade included members of the loyal orders from England, Scotland and the Irish Republic.The main parade included members of the loyal orders from England, Scotland and the Irish Republic.