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Battle of the Boyne

In Northern Ireland, this celebration is held commemorating the battle that took place on the east coast in 1690. Also known as "Orangemen's Day" or "Orange Day". It may also be referred to as "the Glorious Twelfth" or just "the Twelfth".

Upcoming Dates For Battle of the Boyne

The commemoration is held on the 12th of July. However, if the 12th lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday is observed on the Monday that most closely follows. Here are the upcoming dates:

  • Wednesday, July 12, 2017
  • Thursday, July 12, 2018
  • Friday, July 12, 2019
  • Sunday, July 12, 2020 - Observed on Monday, July 13, 2020
  • Monday, July 12, 2021
  • Tuesday, July 12, 2022
  • Wednesday, July 12, 2023
  • Friday, July 12, 2024
  • Saturday, July 12, 2025 - Observed on Monday, July 14, 2025

Where Is Battle of the Boyne Considered a Holiday?

This day is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland. On this day, everything is closed. There is no school and most public offices will be shut down. The occasional business or store may remain open, by the owners choice. Public transportation will likely be unavailable in most places throughout. In other parts of the United Kingdom it is not considered a holiday, however there may be delays in traffic caused by people marching.

Festivities & Events During Battle of the Boyne

Throughout Northern Ireland, there are marches and walks held from April to August. Those that fall on the 12th of July are particularly important. These are often constructed by the Protestant oriented. They are also accompanied with marching bands. There is a traditional outfit for those who are marching along. Although, as time has passed it has become less of a tradition. People do maintain dark suits for the marching. There is another piece of traditional attire that is the collarette. It's specifically designed for the lodges, who also carry a flag during the march.

A Brief History About Battle of the Boyne

The Battle of Boyne was a battle that took place on July 1, 1690. It was on the banks of Boyne River and Dorgheda on the East coast of Ireland. There were two sides to the battle; King James VII of Scotland alongside James II of England and Prince William of Orange alongside his followers. William won the battle, becoming King William III. This battle is seen as a struggle between Catholics and Protestants, making this battle historical.