Muted celebration of Twelfth in Ulster

Belfast, 13 July 1915 - The Twelfth of July anniversary was celebrated across Ulster yesterday in a more restricted manner than at any time in living memory. Parades through Belfast were devoid of their customary splendour and there was an absence of drumming parties.

Confidential police report for Belfast, July 1915. It states: 'The Anniversary of the 12th July was celebrated as usual, but was of much smaller dimensions than usual.' Click image to enlarge. (Image: National Library UK, CO 904/97)

The departure of so many Orangemen to fight for the British Army had a significant impact on the crowds who attended the celebrations. In general, the war overshadowed the entire day.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]