July 12th should be made a bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland to ‘reclaim it’ from sectarianism, a Green Party TD has said.

Every year, the anniversary of King William of Orange’s victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne is celebrated by the North’s Protestant Unionist community.

To celebrate the day, Orange Order parades are held in towns and villages across Northern Ireland and many unionists see this as an integral part of their culture.

 Orangemen march up the hill to Rathfriland, Northern Ireland, 12th July 2011. Picture by: Alamy.com

For many Catholics, it is a difficult day they associate with sectarianism - particuarly the bonfires lit on the 11th night that are often decorated with Irish flags and pictures of nationalist politicians.

Despite this, TD Patrick Costello feels it should be a public holiday on both sides of the border.

“I would not want to see the bonfires that we are seeing at the minute,” he told Moncrieff.

“I think the sectarian hate that goes with the bonfires - the burning of effigies, the abuse and offensive language - I don’t want to bring that with us.

“I think that flies in the face of reconciliation and shared understand that a new bank holiday on 12th July could help build.”

 An effigy of Gerry Adams is placed at the top of Ballyduff bonfire with Irish flags, 11th July 2013. Picture by: Stephen Barnes/Alamy Live News

Deputy Costello also noted the Orange Order has always been an all-Ireland institute - despite its strong association with unionism and the Northern State.

“There’s an Orange Order march in Donegal,” he said.

“There’s Lodges across Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal; it was founded on [Dublin’s] Dawson Street where there’s a plaque.”

In recent years, Sinn Féin politicians have begun attending events traditionally associated with the unionist community and Deputy Costello feels making the 12th a bank holiday would be in that same spirit of reconciliation.

“We’ve seen Michelle O’Neill attend the coronation, we’ve seen Martin McGuinness attend Somme memorials, we’ve seen Michelle O’Neill attend British Legion events,” he said.

“So, I think it is part of that reconciliation and shared understanding and think by marking it here, we’re trying to take a bit of heat out of it, trying to take a bit of the fear out of it.”

Michelle O'Neill departs following the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, London. May 6, 2023. Picture by: Alamy.com

Deputy Costello did not tell any of his Oireachtas colleagues before he sent his press release this morning, but says he has since had support from Green Party colleagues in Northern Ireland.

“Members of the GPNI come from both traditions, both communities,” he said.

“So, I think they feel the need to have these conversations and move things forward.”

The 12th of July falls on Wednesday this week.

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Main image: Shankill Road bonfire. Picture by: Stephen Barnes/Alamy Live News