Exhibit 3: Unionist Bonfires on the Rise: Tradition and Consequences
Crowds gather to watch the largest bonfire in Northern Ireland in Larne, County Antrim (July 12th, 2021)
Bonfires are a long-standing tradition in Northern Ireland, especially among Unionist communities, the night before the Orange Order marches on the Twelfth of July.1 These bonfires are often several stories high and contain flags and effigies of Nationalists politicians. While bonfires are a cultural and historical marker for Unionists and the Orange Order, they often spark controversy over burning sectarian symbols and pose significant public safety risks.
This video from the Irish Times covers the spectators and interviews the organizers of the bonfire in Larne.2 Over 200 bonfires were lit in Northern Ireland the night before the Orange Order marches on the Twelfth of July, 2021.3 The bonfire in Larne was the largest in Northern Ireland, containing 18,000 wooden palettes.4 Spectators in the video could be seen wearing the Union Jack and cheering as the bonfire was lit on the Eleventh Night. The organizers of the bonfire explain how it is a great source of pride and joy amongst the Protestant community to come together and build/burn the tower of palettes.
The continuation of bonfires underpins the complex societal and political dynamics at play in Northern Ireland in the post-GFA era. Bonfires, particularly those located in shared spaces or interface areas, can be flashpoints of tension between the Unionist and Nationalist communities. In addition, efforts to address concerns over the impact of bonfires can lead to clashes between those involved in the bonfire preparations and authorities seeking to regulate or limit potential risks, as Unionists have previously prevented fire and police authorities from accessing the bonfires.5 This is particularly concerning as bonfires have recently increased across Northern Ireland.
The significant increase in bonfire activity during the Orange Order marching season in 2021 could be linked to various factors. First, the Pandemic prevented the parades and bonfires in July 2020. Also, the Northern Ireland Protocol was adopted in 2020, and the Orange Order and Loyalist communities condemned the document as serving the Nationalist’s agenda and bringing the possibility of reunification closer to reality.6 Therefore, influencing Unionists to increase their public presence and showcase their resolve through visible events such as marches, and bonfires. The bonfire in Larne, featured in the video, highlights this occurrence as the top of the tower is surrounded by Brexit signs with a red X through them. The burning of these symbols demonstrates how the Unionists and Orange Order use bonfires to communicate their current political opinions on the Northern Ireland Protocol and how they refuse to be complacent in the politics of Northern Ireland.
While there are many challenges associated with bonfires, it is also critical to recognize that they are deeply rooted in the cultural and historical identity of Unionists and the Orange Order marching season. For many Unionists, these bonfires are viewed as a way to assert and celebrate their heritage, traditions, and political beliefs. However, Nationalists see these large fires as a threat intended to generate fear, as bonfires have often burned Catholic symbols and Nationalist politician effigies. This specific Larne bonfire features a sign that says “F*** the IRA,” and therefore is directly antagonistic towards the Nationalist community. The bonfire may be a Unionist tradition, but it is also an intimidation tactic that can perpetuate the divide in Northern Ireland society through the burning of Nationalists symbols.
Footnotes
- Tonge, Evans, J., Jeffery, R., & McAuley, J. W. (2011). New Order: Political Change and the Protestant Orange Tradition in Northern Ireland. British Journal of Politics & International Relations, 13(3), 400–419.
- Moriarty, Gerry & McClements, Freya. 2021. “Significant increase in bonfire callouts in North ahead of Twelfth celebrations.” Irish Times, 12 July (https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/significant-increase-in-bonfire-callouts-in-north-ahead-of-twelfth-celebrations-1.4617897)
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Webster, J. (2022). From Scottish Independence, to Brexit, and Back Again, Social Anthropology/Anthropologie Sociale, 30(4), 18-36. Retrieved Jun 1, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.3167/saas.2022.300403
