The Co Fermanagh Twelfth demonstration returned to Lisbellaw after five years away — with marchers and spectators turning up despite warnings of dire weather.

Over 70 bands from 15 districts in Fermanagh, Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan and Leitrim all took part as a large crowd gathered along the route on the A4 and in the village.

Many cheered the bands and calls went between spectators and marchers as friends and family spotted each other.

Among the crowd were members of the Co Longford Historical Society who had been invited to come along by members of the Lisbellaw Lodge after they met on a visit to the First World War battlefields in Belgium.

James McNernay, Co Longford Historical Society chairman, said: “This was the first time we were invited and we were more then happy to be here to see the tradition and ceremony of the Orange Order.

“We felt it was important to come in the spirit of reconciliation. We all have to live together on this island and we have to respect the traditions of each other.”

Ian Beamish from Limerick and a member of LOL 1313 Dublin and Wicklow was in the crowd with his family.

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He said: “We come up here at this time of the year for a couple of weeks. We were at Rossnowlagh on Saturday and this is a holiday destination for us.

“It means a lot to be able to come and take part. You can’t celebrate the Twelfth as freely in the South. Things have changed but unfortunately not as much as we would like.”

The parade was finished off by two Lambeg drummers who led the spectators to the assembly field for the address given by Charles Crawford, who called for a minute’s silence for the servicemen who recently died in Afghanistan.

Many stopped off on the way for sandwiches and drinks while stallholders at the field did good business with the children. Shortly after the start of the address the long-awaited downpour arrived, forcing many to scurry for shelter amid shrieks and stoic humour, but not dampened spirits.