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| Ulster Covenant: Thousands gather for centenary parade | Ulster Covenant: Thousands gather for centenary parade |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of people are taking part in commemorations in Belfast to mark one of the most significant dates in unionist history. | Thousands of people are 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 marks the 100th anniversary of the Ulster Covenant, to oppose Home Rule for Ireland in 1912. | The six-mile march from central Belfast to Stormont marks 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. |
| 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 have passed off peacefully. | The police will be mightily relieved that the early stages of the parade have passed off peacefully. |
| The fear was that an outbreak of violence would set the tone for the rest of the day. | The fear was that an outbreak of violence would set the tone for the rest of the day. |
| Marchers abided by a legal ruling to only play hymns when they passed a Catholic church in north Belfast. | Marchers abided by a legal ruling to only play hymns when they passed a Catholic church in north Belfast. |
| However, rarely in history has the hymn, Abide With Me, been played so belligerently. | However, rarely in history has the hymn, Abide With Me, been played so belligerently. |
| Nonetheless, a difficult day for the police has got off to an encouraging start. | Nonetheless, a difficult day for the police has got off to an encouraging start. |
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| 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. | |
| Up to 30,000 people from eight loyal orders are taking part in the events including a religious service and celebration at Stormont. | Up to 30,000 people from eight loyal orders are 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." | |
| 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." | |
| Chief Constable Matt Baggott said his officers would be working to ensure the day passes off in a way that "brings credit" to all concerned. | Chief Constable Matt Baggott said his officers would be working to ensure the day passes off in a way that "brings credit" to all concerned. |
| 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". | |
| Marchers are due to arrive at Stormont at about 13:00 BST on Saturday. Belfast-based marchers parade back into city at 16:15 BST; others return home by bus. | Marchers are due to arrive at Stormont at about 13:00 BST on Saturday. Belfast-based marchers parade back into city at 16:15 BST; others return home by bus. |
| The feeder parade from Carlisle Circus in north Belfast includes 14 bands and six lodges, amounting to around 2,000 people in total. | The feeder parade from Carlisle Circus in north Belfast includes 14 bands and six lodges, amounting to around 2,000 people in total. |
| Part of their route is 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 is past St Patrick's Catholic Church on Donegall Street where there has been controversy and violence associated with parades during the summer. |
| The parade has now passed the church on its outward journey. | The parade has now passed the church on its outward journey. |
| 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. |
| BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson tweeted: "The first tunes played by bandsmen outside St Patrick's Catholic church are Onward Christian Soldiers and Abide With Me." | BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson tweeted: "The first tunes played by bandsmen outside St Patrick's Catholic church are Onward Christian Soldiers and Abide With Me." |
| 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 has also placed the sacred music restriction on those bands that will pass St Matthew's Catholic Church on the Newtownards Road, in the east of the city on Saturday. | Meanwhile, the commission has also placed the sacred music restriction on those bands that will pass St Matthew's Catholic Church on the Newtownards Road, in the east of the city on Saturday. |
| On the Stormont estate, Covenant exhibitions and displays opened at 10:00 BST for the public. | On the Stormont estate, Covenant exhibitions and displays opened at 10:00 BST for the public. |
| There are due to be performances from the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra, the Bright Lights Highland Dancers and the County Antrim Fife and Drum. | There are due to be performances from the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra, the Bright Lights Highland Dancers and the County Antrim Fife and Drum. |
| The Orange Order said it was expecting a "fun-filled" day. | 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 six-mile route from Belfast city centre to Stormont includes: | The six-mile route from Belfast city centre to Stormont includes: |
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| People planning on travelling to and through the city using public transport on Saturday have been advised that there will be significant changes to some Ulsterbus and Metro services. | People planning on travelling to and through the city using public transport on Saturday have been advised that there will be significant changes to some Ulsterbus and Metro services. |
| Motorists are also advised that a number of roads will be closed to traffic during the parade. | Motorists are also advised that a number of roads will be closed to traffic during the parade. |
| All the parading is due to be finished by 18:00 BST. | All the parading is due to be finished by 18:00 BST. |
| The main parade will include members of the loyal orders from England, Scotland and the Irish Republic. | The main parade will include members of the loyal orders from England, Scotland and the Irish Republic. |