This photo was taken from the top of Ballyoran Heights, overlooking the Charles St. barricade. Beyond the barricade, you can see the Orange Hall. The gray vehicle is an RUC landrover, which is "technically illegal" to photograph.
This mural depicts an actual incident in 1996, when the Orange parade was forced down the Garvaghy Road against the wishes of the Catholic community. Catholic Nationlists who sat down on Garvaghy Road in protest were beaten by the RUC and shot with plastic bullets. |
On
Sunday, July 9, I watched the Orange parade from a safe distance--this
picture was taken from the Obins Street barricade looking toward the city
center. I was warned not to get any closer than this--in 1999, an observer
was severely beaten by Loyalists for daring to try for an up-close photo
of the Orange Parade.
Drumcree Church from the barricade at Drumcree Road. In 1998, the Orange Order camped out on the church grounds when not allowed to march in the Catholic area. British troops moved them out after a 16 day siege; several weapons were found on the site, including sub-machine guns, pistols, crossbows, and petrol for bombs. |
On my last day in Portadown, I finally went over to "forbidden territory" to snap this photo of the Orange Hall! |