12TH JULY N .IRLAND good or bad explain?

Answer 1

The really intriguing thing about the Battle of Boyne is that it wasn't nearly as black and white (i.e. Protestant vs. Roman Catholic) as its celebration's supporters/detractors would think. The following comes from Wikipedia:

"The battle of the Boyne was the decisive encounter in a war that was primarily about James's attempt to regain the thrones of England and Scotland, but is widely remembered as a decisive moment in the struggle between Protestant and Catholic factions in Ireland. However recent analyses have played down the religious aspect of the conflict. In fact both armies were religiously mixed, and William of Orange's own elite force — the Dutch Blue Guards — had the papal banner with them on the day, many of the Guardsmen being Dutch Catholics. They were part of the League of Augsburg, a cross-Christian alliance designed to stop a French conquest of Europe, supported by the Vatican. The war in Ireland was also the beginning of a long-running but ultimately unsuccessful campaign by James's supporters, the Jacobites, to restore the Stuart dynasty rule to the British thrones. While most Jacobites in Ireland were indeed Catholics, many English and Scottish Jacobites were Protestants and were motivated by loyalty to the principle of monarchy (considering James to have been illegally deposed in a coup) or to the Stuart dynasty in particular, rather than by religion. A handful of British Jacobites fought with James at the Boyne. In addition, some of the French regiments fighting with the Jacobites at the Boyne were composed of German Protestants. In a European context therefore, the battle was not a religiously motivated one, but part of a complicated political, dynastic and strategic conflict."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Boyne

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Religion in war is often nothing more than a means to an end... and hardly in line with the teachings of Christianity's founder. The war in Ireland was more about kings and power than it was about "Papists and Proddys." Rather than orange or green I would think the Irish would all wear black on days like this... as a symbol of mourning for the blind ugliness of both sides and the needless deaths of thousands of people during these conflicts through the years.

Bill... who has both Irish Catholic and Protestant ancestors

Answer 2

The date commemorates the Battle of the Boyne in the year 1690, where King Billy (William of Orange) soundly defeated the Irish. Billy was protestant, and the Protestants of Northern Ireland are still known as Orangemen. They celebrate the day much as Americans do July 4. If you are a Catholic, I suppose it's something you'd rather ignore. If Protestant, you might want to participate. Given that which commemorates, I can see why Catholics would take a bit of offense...

Answer 3

Bad! The day is to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne 1st July 1690 (12th after calendar changes). The commemoration is designed to remind Catholics/Nationalists of their place in society (2nd Class). I don't mind them marching, but they should not be allowed to march through Catholic/Nationalist areas as it is clearly provocative. Remember, the Irish have whipped the Protestant/Loyalist asses a few times. Take the Battle of Benburb 1649 (?), Battle of Dromore 1689 and a few others. Anyway, you can get 2 days paid holidays which is sweet.

Answer 4

The parades are great fun to go and watch and are a tradition for Protestants in Ulster, and Lodges from other places in the world too. Most orangemen are normal, Christian people who uphold a family/cultural tradition to march. I personally love going to watch the 12th parade cos you get to sit and eat ice cream and enjoy the atmosphere and good weather (if it is good!).
The only bad thing about it is those who want to turn it into some sort of riot.

Answer 5

Well like St Patricks day it should be a day to celebrate each others cultures but small minded bigots ruin both events for everyone.

Answer 6

what happened all those years ago has happened....whether people do marches or not! Its past, i cant really see any point in dragging up the same crap year after year! Innocent people get caught up amongst the $hit in something like this....so no, its not a good idea!

Answer 7

"Titter tatter, Holy water. Slaughter the Catholics everyone. If that won't do we'll cut them in two and make them live under the Orange and the Blue!"

Answer 8

12th the same as the 10th or the 5th............................ Except for the parades by a bunch of bigots reliving a battle that took place in1264...............

Answer 9

good