The Twelfth 2025: Updates as marchers battle to stay cool in almost record temperatures
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
The environmental cost of Northern Ireland's bonfires
Every July, towering stacks of pallets, tyres, and waste materials appear overnight across parts of Northern Ireland as monuments not for celebration, but towards division. These are the Eleventh Night bonfires, lit by loyalist communities on the eve of July 12 to mark the victory of William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne. For others in the North, however, they represent a provocative display of sectarianism, often accompanied by effigies, flags, and symbols intended to intimidate. Beyond their political symbolism, the environmental toll of these bonfires is immense, and growing. Beneath the flickering flames lies a deeper, smouldering issue: air pollution, toxic emissions, and damage to land and water. In the face of climate change and public health challenges, questions are being raised, not just about what these bonfires stand for, but what they're doing to the environment we all share. An Eleventh Night bonfire in Orangefield Park in east Belfast. Some of the largest structures stand more than 30 feet tall and are constructed from tens of thousands of wooden pallets, along with tyres, plastics, furniture, and household waste. These materials, when set alight, release a potent and dangerous cocktail of pollutants into the air. Smoke signals While often described by organisers as cultural or community events, the scale of Eleventh Night bonfires reveals a more troubling picture. Some of the largest structures stand more than 30 feet tall and are constructed from tens of thousands of wooden pallets, along with tyres, plastics, furniture, and household waste. These materials, when set alight, release a potent and dangerous cocktail of pollutants into the air. Among the most harmful are particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). These are microscopic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, triggering respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Levels of these particles can spike dramatically during bonfire night, with air quality monitors in Belfast and Derry recording pollution levels comparable to those in industrial cities during smog events. For those with asthma, or heart conditions, the health risks are immediate and severe. The burn-off also includes dioxins, benzene, carbon monoxide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are carcinogenic. These chemicals don't just disappear with the smoke; they settle in soil, seep into waterways, and linger in the air. The environmental impact, though less visible than the flames, is far more enduring. Tyres, plastics, and the law Despite regulations prohibiting the burning of tyres and many synthetic materials, such items continue to be a staple of many bonfires. Tyres, in particular, are a serious environmental hazard. When combusted, they emit heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and fine particulates that are hazardous to both human and ecological health. In theory, burning such materials is illegal under Northern Ireland's environmental laws. In practice, enforcement is weak. Councils often fund clean-ups after bonfires, some of which are built on public land, but rarely intervene in the build-up or construction stages. This tacit tolerance fuels a cycle of impunity, with local authorities caught between environmental responsibility and political sensitivities. Land and water contamination Once the flames die down, scorched plots of land are left behind, often heavily contaminated. Rainfall following bonfires can wash ash, chemicals, and microplastics into local rivers, drains, and soil. This runoff threatens aquatic life, degrades biodiversity, and risks entering drinking water systems. Firefighters work to protect an electricity sub station as a Controversial bonfire at Meridi Street, off the Donegall Road in Belfast is lit. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire In some cases, bonfires have been built close to schools, housing estates, and even gas tanks, raising concerns not only about pollution but about public safety. The cost of restoring damaged land, including removing burnt debris and remediating soil, falls largely on local councils, and by extension, the taxpayer. In 2022 alone, Belfast City Council reportedly spent more than £100,000 on bonfire-related clean-up and security measures. Cultural tradition or environmental risk? For those who build and attend them, Eleventh Night bonfires are seen as expressions of unionist history and identity. But for others, the bonfires represent an outdated and dangerous tradition. It's worth noting that not all bonfires are equal. Some communities have made efforts in recent years to build safer, more environmentally responsible structures, using only untreated wood, excluding tyres and plastic, and even incorporating LED-light 'beacon' bonfires as symbolic alternatives. These initiatives show that cultural expression does not have to come at the cost of environmental degradation, but such examples remain the exception. The political nature of the bonfires, combined with the fear of stoking tensions, has made open criticism difficult. Yet, in an era of climate emergency, the question must be asked, how long can we continue to burn tens of thousands of tonnes of waste each year, unchecked, in the name of tradition? Environmental justice There is also a broader environmental justice issue at play. The most toxic bonfires are often located in working-class areas, those same communities already disproportionately affected by air pollution, limited access to green space, and poor health outcomes. This means the people most exposed to the environmental fallout of bonfires are often the least resourced to deal with its consequences. In this context, rethinking bonfire culture isn't simply an environment matter — it's about equity. If councils, environmental agencies, and community leaders work together, it may be possible to chart a different course. Lighting a better path As the flames fade and the ash settles, we are left with a choice. We can continue to allow toxic bonfires to blaze unchecked, or we can begin the difficult, necessary conversation about changing the way we mark this time of year. Cultural traditions evolve. They always have. The question is whether we have the courage, and the foresight, to evolve with them. Until then, Northern Ireland's skies will keep filling with smoke each July, but so too will its rivers, its soil, and its lungs.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Scottish Government to meet Orange Order after air rifle shot
OFFICIALS from the Scottish Government are to meet with the Orange Order, John Swinney has said, after an air rifle was fired at participants in a recent march. Thousands marched through Glasgow earlier this month as part of events to commemorate the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. During the day, four people were struck with 'air weapon pellets', according to police, while the march continued along Sauchiehall Street, near Kelvingrove Park, with no serious injuries reported. READ MORE: Richard Murphy in explosive spat with BBC presenter over 'pro-Union bias' Speaking to the PA news agency, First Minister John Swinney (below) confirmed officials will speak to representatives of the Orange Order on Wednesday, with community safety minister Siobhian Brown due to do the same at a later date. (Image: PA) 'The Scottish Government is meeting with representatives of the Orange Order today,' he said. 'Officials will take that forward and in due course, the community safety minister will meet with the Orange Order. READ MORE: Popular Scottish travel blogger dies at home after false West Bank claim 'In recent days, members of the Orange Order have been subjected to acts of violence which are deplorable and they are unacceptable to whoever they affect within our society. 'These matters are currently being taken forward by Police Scotland.'
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Orange Order chiefs to meet with Scottish Government over air gun attack on marchers in Glasgow
They previously urged the First Minister to take 'decisive action' 'COWARDLY ACT' Orange Order chiefs to meet with Scottish Government over air gun attack on marchers in Glasgow Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OFFICIALS from the Scottish Government are to meet with the Orange Order after an air rifle was fired at participants in a recent march. Thousands marched through Glasgow earlier this month as part of celebrations to commemorate the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Orange Order bosses slammed yobs who fired an air rifle at marchers 3 Thousands of Orange Lodge members marched through the city on July 5 3 The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland asked to meet with the First Minister Credit: PA During the day, four people were struck with "air weapon pellets", according to police, while the march continued along Sauchiehall Street, near Kelvingrove Park, with no serious injuries reported. Speaking to the PA news agency, the First Minister confirmed officials will speak to representatives of the Orange Order on Wednesday, with community safety minister Siobhian Brown due to do the same at a later date. "The Scottish Government is meeting with representatives of the Orange Order today," he said. "Officials will take that forward and in due course, the community safety minister will meet with the Orange Order. "In recent days, members of the Orange Order have been subjected to acts of violence which are deplorable and they are unacceptable to whoever they affect within our society. "These matters are currently being taken forward by Police Scotland." The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland asked to meet with the First Minister about the "cowardly" act which they say "endangered lives". A spokesperson said previously: "The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland expresses deep concern over the alarming incident that occurred, where members of our Institution were targeted and fired upon with an air rifle. "This reckless act has escalated the level of hostility towards the Orange Order, endangering the lives of our members. "The Most Worthy Grand Master urgently requests a meeting with the First Minister of Scotland to address this incident and the escalating tide of anti-Protestant sentiment we face daily. Hundreds step out for women's Orange Walk through Glasgow "We urge the First Minister to take decisive action against these hate crimes, including condemning the attacks on our properties and our members. "The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland stands united with the County Grand Lodge of Glasgow and Police Scotland in ensuring that those responsible for this cowardly act are swiftly brought to justice."
