BBC NI to broadcast ‘The Twelfth’ special celebrating Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland

Twelfth celebrations in Carnlough

(Image: Tracey Roberts, McAuley Multimedia)

BBC One Northern Ireland will broadcast a special programme titled The Twelfth, offering a wide-ranging look at the annual Orange Order demonstrations taking place across the region.

Presented by seasoned broadcaster Helen Mark, the hour-long programme will delve into the music, pageantry and heritage that define the Twelfth of July celebrations — one of Northern Ireland’s most significant cultural events.

The programme aims to capture the scale and community spirit of the day, featuring highlights from parades across various locations, as well as interviews and commentary offering historical and cultural context.

The Twelfth presented by seasoned broadcaster Helen Mark

Joining Helen Mark in the studio are two well-known voices in Orange and Ulster-Scots heritage: historian Dr David Hume and journalist Mervyn Jess, both of whom will provide insights into the traditions and symbolism associated with the Orange Order and its parades.

“The programme will include events across the region – providing a sense of their range, scale and importance for those taking part,” said the BBC.

“There’ll be the usual mix of music, colour and spectacle. And the programme will also give an important insight into the Orange tradition and its role in cultural and community life,” the broadcaster added.

The Twelfth will be available to watch live on BBC One Northern Ireland and will also be accessible on BBC iPlayer, allowing audiences at home and abroad to engage with the cultural significance of the day.

The Twelfth of July commemorates the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, a defining moment in Protestant and Unionist history. Every year, thousands take part in parades organised by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, with bands, banners, and traditional attire drawing large crowds in towns and villages throughout Northern Ireland.

This year’s broadcast aims to offer both familiar sights for long-time observers and a valuable introduction for newcomers, reflecting on the Orange tradition’s contemporary relevance in Northern Ireland’s social fabric.

 The Twelfth airs at 9.00pm tonight, Saturday 12 July.