Thousands of members of the Orange Order were in Co Donegal today for their annual pre-12 July gathering at Rossnowlagh.
Lodges from counties Donegal, Cavan, Leitrim and Monaghan, as well as visiting Orangemen from Northern Ireland, were among those taking part in the event.
Orangemen have paraded in Co Donegal since the early 1900s and since 1978 they have held an annual march in Rossnowlagh every Saturday before 12 July.
It is the only parade of its kind held in the Republic of Ireland.
It is also the first parade at Rossnowlagh since Edward Stevenson was elected Grand Master of Grand Orange Lodge in January.
In his address, Mr Stevenson spoke about the British Queen’s recent visit to the Republic.
‘I seem to be spending quite a bit of my time in the Irish Republic - and I am thoroughly enjoying it,’ he said.
‘Only a few weeks ago, along with other senior Orangemen, I attended the official visit of her Majesty the Queen to Dublin.
‘The visit was a triumph for everyone involved and in particular the people who live here in the Irish Republic and regard themselves as coming from the British culture.
‘Thanks to the tremendous and dignified welcome given to her Majesty the Queen, British people can hold their heads high in this community and be proud of their beliefs and their culture.
‘And that is what we are doing here today.
‘We are in the Irish Republic but we are celebrating our British culture and identity. And we are a threat to no-one. In fact the people here want to play their part in the civic society of this country.’
