Belfast Live Stream at Orange Order Parade, 12 July 2011

Orange walks are a series of parades held annually by members of the Orange Order during the summer in Northern Ireland, building up to the 12 July main Orangemen celebrations.

This live feed is in Belfast for the 2011 Orange Order Walk:

http://www.myworldwebcams.com/events/belfast_march.html

Event Information:

The 'marching season' generally refers to the months April to August in Northern Ireland and includes marches by groups such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Apprentice Boys of Derry, and the Royal Black Institution as well as the Orange Order. The Orange Order however, is by far the most prolific marching group. Typically each Orange Lodge will hold its own march at some point before the 12th of July, accompanied by at least one marching band. On the 12th of July each district will hold a larger parade consisting of all the lodges in that district, sometimes with the addition of lodges from outside Northern Ireland. This is particularly the case with the Belfast district, whose parade commonly features several Scottish lodges and often some from other countries. In most districts the location of the parade will vary from year to year, rotating around suitable towns. Belfast is an exception, keeping more or less the same route for many decades. The only major parade after the Twelfth is on the last Sunday in October, when lodges celebrate Reformation Day by parading to church.
Parading Orangemen usually wear dark suits, although in particularly warm weather they may dispense with the jacket. Until recently bowler hats were commonly worn but this is more unusual now. Walkers will wear V-shaped orange collarettes (often inaccurately known as sashes) bearing the number of their lodge and often badges showing degrees awarded within the institution, and positions held in the lodge. Some lodge officers also wear elaborate cuffs, and many walkers wear white gloves, although this is less common than it used to be. Most lodges carry at least one flag, of which the most common is the Union Flag. Other commonly carried flags include the Ulster Banner, the Flag of Scotland and the Orange Order flag. Lodges will generally also carry a banner, which will include the name and number of the lodge, and usually depicts William of Orange on at least one side. Other popular banner subjects include deceased lodge members, local landmarks, and the Bible with a Crown.

Belfast Webcam - Orange Order March 2010

Belfast City Hall, looking out at Donegall Square North and Donegall Place

A feature of the summer in Northern Ireland are the various marches that take place in the country.

Orange walks are a series of parades held annually by members of the Orange Order during the summer in Northern Ireland, to a lesser extent in Scotland, and occasionally in England, the Republic of Ireland, and throughout the Commonwealth. These typically build up to the 12 July celebrations which mark Prince William of Orange's victory over King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Although the term 'march' or 'parade' is widely used in the media, the Order prefers terms such as 'walk' or 'demonstration'.

The main march through Belfast on the 12th July will be covered by this webcam view, from Belfast City Hall, looking out at Donegall Square North and Donegall Place