Many of us begin our Twelfth celebrations with the traditional Eleventh Night Bonfires. These community events are often organised by the younger members of our community, who have been collecting wood for weeks even months and stacking it high. These structures are impressive in themselves reaching up and up with row upon row of pallets. Out in the country we do things slightly differently so why not join us at McNeillstown this Eleventh from 7pm for some food and family fun.

They are an annual tradition which goes right back to primitive times when communities used fire as a symbol, as a warning of approaching danger or as a means to celebrate important events. The Bonfire first entered Protestant culture as a horrific reminder of the martyr’s pyres which had been built by Bloody Queen Mary as she burnt Protestant Reformers to death for their faith. It was next used to give thanks and to commemorate the survival of our Protestant Parliament from the terrorist designs of Guy Fawkes. It was at this point the idea of burning a traitor or enemy in effigy became popular. It then became a beacon of hope signalling the Prince of Orange’s Arrival on our shores.

Fires were lit along hillsides to mark King William’s landing in England and Ireland and still to this day we mark our Great Deliverance at the Battle of the Boyne with the bonfire.
This year the bonfires will be much smaller and more in the form of BBQs in the backyard. So why n to gather the family and enjoy the crackle of the fire and some music as we wait the big day. If you can’t get outside then we have our own virtual bonfire here.