Dr Phoenix said a speech made by Edward Carson in the field at Finaghy in 1920 sparked widespread violence which led to the expulsion of 8,000 Catholic workers from the shipyards in Belfast. And in 1935 violence erupted after a loyal orders parade in Belfast, that was initially banned, was allowed to go ahead at the last minute. The lifting of the ban – despite a recent spate of rioting in the city – sparked an outbreak of shootings in the York Street area in which up to 11 people were killed. In recent years Newry has emerged as a marches flashpoint, with a number of band parades rerouted away from the centre of the predominantly nationalist city. Nearby Annalong has also had its share of controversy in the past few years. But the south Down area is no stranger to parades disputes. Brian Faulkner's rise to power in the old Stormont regime was said to have been aided by his role in what became known as the Longstone Road affair in the 1950s. Orangemen planned to parade through the nationalist area of south Down on July 12 1955 despite opposition from locals – objectors blew craters in the road two days before the march. The parade, however, went ahead, led by Faulkner and escorted by hundreds of armed RUC officers amid angry and violent scenes. Days later Faulkner banned an Irish cultural demonstration at Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh. The RUC enforced the ban by using a water-canon for the first time in the force's history All rosy in the 20th century pre '69.
I've just read that the Twaddell residents have arranged a counter-protest for the Ardoyne protest which has been scheduled for after the "token" return journey to stop flashpoints
To make sure they make it back for the 4pm deadline the OO are getting bussed from the field to just outside Ardoyne to walk past it. Instead of marching from the field and then get in your busses to go past Ardoyne.
Ciaran I was not trying to suggest just a that all things were bright and beautiful pre 1969,the guy who told me about the farmers looking out for each other did this himself and lived in County Antrim. I thought you were questioning my post about the Short Strand / Newtownards Road interface, my mistake. Hope all things are quite in the north and your mum is left to get on with her job in peace.
I believe that farmers do still watch each others places. The make up of membership in City and country are different. In Belfast many OO members are UVF/UDA members along with the bands that follow them. The Lodges that pass Ardoyne apply to pass with a banner of Brian Robinson, the same guy who killed an innocent man on the same stretch of road. Many country OO members are embarrassed by some of those in Belfast. You just have to look at those lodges in Belfast who complained about the Unionist OO members who attended Ronan Kerrs funeral. OO members from the country attend their Catholic neighbours funeralks all the tim, as you would.
Can I just say I dont give a feck, but you will get good people who do it and bad people just like any organisation. Some OO guys are the most nicest people I have met, some devout Muslims are some of the nicest people I have met etc you get that clinger on type who just ruin it for everyone! and they are involved in every religious faction and political party. I am a atheist but I still respect peoples beleifs!
