Smaller parades as Orange Order takes to the streets

The Orange Order parade in the village of Hillsborough, Co.Down, as part of the July 12 celebrations which marks the victory of King William of Orange over the catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday July 12 2021. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Thousands of Orange Order members took to the streets across Northern Ireland to mark the main date in the Protestant loyal order parading season.

This year's Twelfth of July parades were smaller than usual and locally based due to public health concerns, and were preceded by the traditional burning of Eleventh Night bonfires.