12 July celebrations and commending the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland

That this House congratulates the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland on the successful organisation of the 2025 Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the annual commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne; notes that celebrations were held at 18 venues across Northern Ireland and attracted the largest crowds witnessed in a generation, with thousands of Lodge members and several hundred bands taking part in vibrant and dignified parades, watched by tens of thousands of spectators including many visitors from across the UK and beyond; recognises the enduring appeal and significance of the Twelfth as one of the largest and most historic cultural events across the UK; acknowledges the Grand Orange Lodge’s role in promoting shared community identity, heritage and tradition within a framework of faith, charity and family; expresses gratitude to all who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth and safe delivery of the events, including host districts, volunteers, emergency services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and affirms the importance of safeguarding and celebrating this unique cultural tradition for future generations.