Hundreds of Orange Order and band members have taken part in the Twelfth demonstration in Derry city today ahead of the main county demonstrations in Coleraine and Kilrea.

The sun shone as the bands this morning marched from the Waterside and the Fountain, moving through the city centre before crossing the Craigavon Bridge back to the Waterside. The return parades are due to take place this evening.

With July 12 falling on a Sunday this year, the annual demonstrations were held on Monday with the exception of Rossnowlagh in Donegal, which took place on Saturday.

Those taking part in Derry today include members of the Culmore True Blues LOL 1866, City of Derry Grand Orange Lodge, Glendermott Valley Flute Band, Bro Scott Goligher Memorial LOL 461, Burntollet Sons of Ulster Flute Band and the Britannia LOL 1912.

Band members marching along Ferryquay Street on Monday. Jack Tibbetts.

placeholder image — Band members marching along Ferryquay Street on Monday. Jack Tibbetts.

Most events to commemorate the Eleventh Night in the north west over the weekend meanwhile passed off without major incident.

However the PSNI said on Monday that an 18-year-old man has been charged to court in Derry for allegedly wearing clothing or having articles as a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation following an incident at a bonfire in the city on Sunday night.

A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that the man was arrested after patrol officers allegedly observed him ‘shouting at members of the public in attendance at a bonfire in the Fountain Estate area’.

"He was later charged with wearing clothing or having articles as a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation, under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act.

Orange Order members parading along Bishop Street on Monday. Photo: Jack Tibbetts.

"He is due to appear before Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, August 5.

"As is usual procedure, the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service,” the police spokesperson said.

Elsewhere in the north it was another busy Eleventh Night for the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.

Area Commander Dermot Rooney said: “We received 303 emergency calls between the hours of 6pm, July 11 and 2am, July 12. This resulted in Firefighters attending 151 operational incidents. 54 of these were bonfire related.

“On Milner Street, Belfast, Firefighters dealt with a garage fire following fire spread from a bonfire.

“In an isolated incident, Firefighters withdrew from a bonfire in the Cookstown area as a result of a hostile crowd.

“In Greenisland, Carrickfergus, Firefighters dealt with a row of terraced houses on fire, along with two oil tanks and a shed. Two homes were completely destroyed with damage caused to a further two properties. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“Firefighters also responded to other incidents across the night including accidental house fires in Antrim and Coleraine and an articulated lorry fire in Newry.

“Thank you to our Firefighters, Regional Control Centre personnel and Support employees for their professionalism and dedication in ensuring we continued to deliver an effective emergency response during this demanding operational period."

The annual Twelfth parades commemorate Dutch prince William of Orange's defeat of James II of England, Scotland, France and Ireland at the Boyne on July 11, 1690.

Originally, the parades were held to celebrate the Williamite victory at Aughrim on July 12, 1691, until July 12 became July 22 under the Gregorian calendar in 1752. The Battle of the Boyne occurred less than a year after the relief of the Siege of Derry.