Ulster Covenant Centenary Parade Belfast

The 29th September 2012 saw tens of thousands taking part in Ulster Covenant Commemorations in Belfast. The event started in Central Belfast and progressed along a six mile route to Northern Ireland seat of power at Stormont, East Belfast. The march marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant in 1912 which opposed Home Rule for Ireland.

The signing of the Ulster Covenant is just one of many centenary commemorations Belfast is to have, the last marking the sinking of Titanic and the next marking the partition of Ireland and the creation of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Once at Parliament Buildings in Stormont unionist leaders including Jim Allister leader of the TUV, Mike Nesbitt leader of the Ulster Unionists and Peter Robinson current First Minister and DUP leader took to the platform for a religious service.

Despite the fun day in the grounds of Stormont Estate anger was vented at the First Minister, for whilst there must have been thousands of flags flying at the event and carried by bands, the Union Flag was noticeably missing from Parliament Buildings itself. The DUP leader appeared annoyed when he was called a traitor as he attempted to explain it was outside his control ans that the Assembly operated a designated days policy on flags.

Many of the modern day leaders of unionism had left not only the stage but also the event before bandsmen and lodges have even finished arriving at the Stormont event, their photo op over.

Regardless of your view on the history of this event, it commemorates a key date relevant to both Protestant and Catholic alike, as will the next centenary event marking partition of Ireland and the creation of two states in Ireland.