Tens of thousands of Orangemen marched in 18 demonstrations across Northern Ireland today in the Orange Order's biggest day of the year.
However tension was high in some areas. A huge security operation was put in place in north Belfast after nationalist residents failed in the High Court yesterday to overturn a Parades Commission decision to allow Orangemen to pass by the Ardoyne area.
The morning feeder parade passed off without major incident, but security was expected to remain tight until the parade passed back the same route this evening.
The biggest demonstration was in Belfast with Orangemen from all over the world marching to Edenderry. Orange marches also took place in Rathfriland, Ballymartin, Holywood in Co Down, in Glengormley, Ballymena, Portglenone, Rasharkin and Broughshane in Co Antrim, in Garvagh and Limavady in Co Londonderry, Markethill in Co Armagh, Lisnaskea in Co Fermanagh and Fintona, Cookstown and Fivemiletown in Co Tyrone.
The Order claimed that the Belfast Agreement was incapable of delivering fair and just government and insisted there could be no Cabinet places for Sinn Féin until the IRA had disappeared.
Members backed resolutions which expressed regret at the recent divisions in unionism.
The Order said: "We believe the agreement, being unable to remove the threat of violence by some who are signatories to it, cannot give us the fair and just government we need and want.
"Until there is proof that the IRA is gone and its terrorist activities have ceased there should be no place for Sinn Fein in the government of Northern Ireland.
"We have been given ample reason to doubt the sincerity and honesty of the Government of the United Kingdom working in tandem with foreign governments and we have deep concerns about their proposals for our future.
"Bitter experience has taught us that their attempts to buy off Irish nationalism and Irish republicanism has been to the disadvantage and hurt of the unionist people and the union."
The order also expressed regret at police reforms in Northern Ireland and condemned the activities of "criminals, arsonists, vandals and thugs" who injured people or destroyed property.
Sinn Féin claimed last night that loyalist death threats had been issued against Ardoyne residents by the Red Hand Defenders.
Policing spokesman Mr Gerry Kelly claimed threats had been issued against residents, including one who signed an affidavit for the failed court attempt to halt today's parade and against Parades Commission monitors due to be in the area to watch the parade.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland declined to comment, saying it never discussed the personal security of any individual.