Battle of the Boyne/ Orangemens Day Bank Holiday. 

Northen Ireland only Bank Holiday 12th July 2012.

The Battle of Boyne is probably the most famous battle in the history of Northern Ireland and the battle was fought on July 12 of the modern Gregorian calendar but July 1st on the Julian calendar that was in use then. It was fought between two claimants to the throne of the British Isles and both kings commanded their armies in person (James II of England and his nephew William III of England (William of Orange). William had 36,000 men and James had 25,000,English, Scottish, Dutch, Danes and Huguenots made up William’s army, while James men were mainly Irish Catholics, reinforced by 6,500 French troops sent by King Louis XIV. At stake was the British throne, French Dominance in Europe and religious power in Ireland.

The battle was brief and James retreated followed by his soldiers and leaving about 1,500 dead on the field. In terms of casualties the battle was not decisive. However, James lost his nerve and within the month he had left Ireland. The victory of William of Orange secured him the throne for good and ensured Protestant ascendancy in Ireland.

12th July (Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690) was made into a Bank Holiday for Northern Ireland only by the Governor of Northern Ireland in 1926. This day is known as "Orangemen's Day", "Orange Day", "the Glorious Twelfth" or just "the Twelfth".