In Pictures: Twelfth celebrations across Northern Ireland

Bonfire building — Image caption,
Bonfires are built in Protestant areas right across Northern Ireland and lit on the eve of 12 July Orange celebrations

The bonfires were lit this year across two nights because the 12 July marches were held on 13 July to avoid parading on a Sunday

Concerns were raised about a bonfire in Chobham Street in east Belfast, where windows were boarded up. However, despite a dramatic bonfire collapse, houses remained unscathed.

The majority of bonfires were safely run, with many enjoying the entertianment late into the night

The majority of bonfires were safely run, with many enjoying them late into the night

Some community groups made a day of it, holding family fun days before the annual bonfire lighting after dark.

Some community groups made a day of it, holding family fun days before the annual bonfire were lit.

On Twelfth morning, there were no incidents as a feeder parade passed a sectarian flashpoint at shops in Ardoyne in north Belfast.

There were no incidents as a feeder parade passed a sectarian flashpoint in north Belfast.

This year's marks the 325th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne

This year marks the 325th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne

Tens of thousands of Orangemen and women are took part in the 12 July celebrations across Northern Ireland.

The festival is an annual celebration of William III's victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

Horses and carriage brought a touch of nostalgia to the parade as it headed down Royal Avenue in Belfast.

Despite heavy overnight rain, the weather stayed dry for much of the parade through Belfast city centre and it didn't dampen anyone's spirits.

In Belfast, the main parade passes City Hall where it stopped to allow Orangemen to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph before heading on.

Thousands of people lined the streets to watch the parades pass through Belfast city centre.

Bands spend all year practicing for the day, which many see as the biggest day of the year.

Bands spend all year practising for the day

The County Armagh parade, and flagship Twelfth parade was in Bessbrook, where 11 district lodges and a total of 154 private lodges were on parade.

It has been promoted as a family friendly occasion, which was last held in 2004.

The Bessbrook event has been promoted as a family friendly occasion, and was last held in 2004.

The village of Saintfield, County Down, hosted a Twelfth demonstration for the first time in over ten years. Organisers said approximately 70 lodges and 40 bands will take part.

The village of Saintfield, County Down, hosted a Twelfth demonstration for the first time in more than ten years.

As members of the Orange Order and bands returned from Battle of the Boyne commemorations along the Woodvale Road, they were prevented from continuing to a stretch of the Crumlin Road that separates unionist and nationalist communities, following a Parades Commission determination

Missiles were thrown at the police and loyalist supporters jumped on police Land Rovers