‘Relief’ that President Higgins will not attend Donegal Orange march

Orange Order leaders have expressed both relief and disappointment at the decision of President Michael D Higgins not to attend the Republic’s only Orange march, in Donegal, next week.

Thousands will descend on the seaside resort of Rossnowlagh next weekend for the annual ‘Twelfth’ parade, which will be held on Saturday, July 11, two days before the bank-holiday marches in the North.

At last year’s event, the Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson, invited President Higgins.