IN FULL: GB News' coverage of celebrations across Northern Ireland for 335th anniversary of Battle of the Boyne

Orange Order leader Edward Stevenson lauds 'another momentous Twelfth with the largest crowds in a generation'

The grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson, has lauded today's celebrations as "another momentous Twelfth with the largest crowds witnessed for a generation".

"We have been blessed with a great day, and I trust that all those taking part or attending our events had an enjoyable time with their family and friends," he said.

"I am delighted that we have again witnessed a huge level of support with a great many tourists and visitors from across the UK and further afield in attendance.

"Few events have the enduring attraction of the Twelfth. In this modern age, the scale of our annual celebrations remains a testament to the shared sense of community identity and cohesiveness of the Orange family."

He added: "I wish to personally thank all those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for many months to ensure the Twelfth runs according to plan. We are grateful for the ongoing support of those who work on the day to keep us safe including the PSNI and other emergency services.

"We should be rightly proud of this unique cultural tradition, and we look forward to joining together again next year to celebrate the 2026 Twelfth."

'Let's work together!' Orange Order's Harold Henning calls for closer collaboration between Unionists in July 12 address

Orange Order deputy grand master Harold Henning has called on Unionist politicians to come together as he spoke at a July 12 rally in Maghera, County Derry.

"The leadership of this institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government," he said.

"Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged - more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self-interest.

"Let's get that message out to our politicians - as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism."

Orange Order hailed as 'great unifier' by Deputy FM after she vows: 'The union is our political, economic and emotional home'

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister has hailed the Orange Order as a "great unifier" after vowing that the union is "our political, economic and emotional home".

The DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly, addressing a parade in Lisburn, warned that unionism faced "new challenges... chief amongst them, the imposition of the sea border within our own country".

She said: "A division between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom that no unionist can ever truly accept.

"It is not enough to celebrate our culture if we do not stand to defend it. The union is not a distant idea. It is our political, economic and emotional home. A border in the Irish Sea undermines that home, it divides our people, disrupts our trade and dilutes our identity."

"The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland made a clear and unambiguous promise to fully restore unfettered internal trade across this United Kingdom. That was a promise to the people of Northern Ireland. They must deliver it."

The deputy FM also said it was a time for "confident and positive strong unionism" as she described the Orange Order as a "great unifier across many strands of our unionist conviction".

"Unionism must work together outside of the Order. This is a time for vigilance, but it is also a time of opportunity. Division brings fracture and weakness, it is unity that brings strength," she said.

"We must recognise that the bonds which pull and bind us together will always mean we have so much more in common than what can ever divide us.

"Let us recognise the talents and abilities across all shades of unionism, and by using all such, our case will not only be strengthened, but indeed undeniable and irresistible.

"Let me be very clear, the might of the case for our continued union will always be our biggest strength."

Man hospitalised with burns after Eleventh Night bonfires

A man is being treated in hospital for burns following an incident at an Eleventh Night bonfire in Belfast.

It is understood the incident happened while a bonfire was being lit in the Lisnasharragh area of the city.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said: "The NIAS received a 999 call at 12.03am on Saturday, July, 12 following reports of an incident in the Lisnasharragh area of Belfast.

"NIAS despatched a rapid response paramedic and an emergency crew to the incident. Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital."

July 12 revellers swelter in 30C heat as Northern Ireland crosses temperature mark for first time in nearly 3 years

Temperatures have reached 30C in Northern Ireland for the first time in almost three years.

The Met Office said 30C had been recorded in Magilligan, marking the first time the milestone had been reached in Northern Ireland since July 18, 2022.

Met Office temperature maps turn orange as mercury soars across Northern Ireland

Temperatures in Northern Ireland are set to shoot up to 30C by 5pm, according to the Met Office.

Forecasters' maps show the whole of the country turning orange as marchers take to the streets for July 12 celebrations - with climes of 29C expected in Londonderry and 27C in Belfast.

IN PICTURES: Orange pyrotechnics on the streets of Belfast as Unionists celebrate Battle of the Boyne

IN PICTURES: Young Unionists smile as thousands gather for July 12 festivities

DUP bigwigs prepare for key speeches at July 12 parades

DUP leader Gavin Robinson will address the parade in Belfast, while Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will deliver a speech at the Lisburn parade.

Flute band prepare to take part in the annual Twelfth of July parade

PICTURED: Orangemen march during the annual Twelfth of July in Belfast 

WATCH NOW: Dougie Beattie is out and about on the streets of Coleraine talking to those attending July 12 parades

PSNI appeals for information after graffiti scrawled across Orange Hall 

Shortly after 1.20am this morning, police received a report of criminal damage caused to an Orange Hall in the Main Street area of Rasharkin.

Paint had been thrown over the front of the building and graffiti daubed on walls opposite.

Commenting, District Commander for Causeway Coast and Glens Superintendent Sinead McIldowney said: “We are treating this criminal damage as a sectarian-motivated hate crime.

“The Police Service condemns all sectarian hate crime and criminal damage caused to any property is absolutely unacceptable.

“We will thoroughly investigate this matter and would appeal to anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference 177 of 12/07/25.

“Our officers will continue to proactively patrol the area and engage with the local community around any concerns they may have.”

Dougie Beattie explains historic significance of Battle of the Boyne

GB News's Northern Ireland reporter Dougie Beattie explains Northern Ireland's role in forming modern America.

WATCH NOW: Arlene Foster reports from Coleraine where parades mark the anniversary of Battle of the Boyne

PICTURED: DUP leader Gavin Robinson prepares for July 12 parade

GB News row EXPLODES over 'sick' Northern Ireland migrant effigy protest - 'All they want is to be heard'

A heated debate erupted on GB News over the burning of migrant effigies at a Northern Ireland bonfire, with commentator Matthew Stadlen condemning the act as "sick" and "pure bigotry and nastiness".

The row centred on an incident in Moygashel, County Tyrone, where life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets were placed in a model boat atop a traditional July 12 bonfire.

Speaking on GB News, Stadlen said: "This was just pure bigotry and nastiness. You can have strong views about people coming to this country illegally, lots of people do.

"It is the Government's policy to try to stop those boats; that’s what they've been trying to do, successfully or not. We'll have to wait and see with Macron this week. But to burn an effigy of people in a boat I mean, it's sick."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

What to expect from GB News's July 12 coverage

GB News returns for its fourth consecutive year of coverage from Northern Ireland's July 12 Parades, with Dame Arlene Foster and correspondent Dougie Beattie leading broadcasts from Coleraine.

The People's Channel will capture the historic commemorations as half a million participants and spectators mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

Coleraine was selected as the broadcast location due to its historical importance as the site of the first organised migration to America in the early 1700s.

The coverage will feature Ulster-Scots Agency Chief Executive Ian Crozier discussing the enduring significance of the Glorious Revolution and how ancestors helped establish a new world based on King William's Bill of Rights.

GB News will also be joined by actor-turned-commentator Charlie Lawson.

Outlining the significance of July 12, Beattie said: "July 12 marks a pivotal moment in British constitutional history and, once again, GB News will bring our viewers and listeners the very best coverage."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE