Loyalist Bonfires

[Somewhatfoolish]

I like my tourism obscure and weird. How safe is it to visit one of those loyalist bonfires as an Englishman? My general experience visiting analogous stuff abroad is it's absolutely fine cause it's incredibly obvious I'm not on "one side" or another and I stand out as a white person anyway and get a bunch of attention (and possibly protection) and am a bit of a trophy.

This situation is totally different. I wouldn't blend in if anyone spoke to me, and there are likely subtle clothing signals that would make me stand out if I just wandered in. Additionally, they probably all know each other. On one hand, my English accent might work in my favor, especially if I make a neutral statement about supporting the UK and being interested in attending to show solidarity, even if I don't fully grasp the complexities. On the other hand, loyalists are known for being "more British than the British," and the places where they have these bonfires also seem pretty fking council. Also, they don't fk around, they're literally armed terrorists. So I don't wanna fk them off.

Anyone know this scene properly?

Thinking about it next year if the timing works.

[Bill]

Pamplona not exciting enough??

[nuyorican]

Can't help, but those bonfires are pretty impressive!

[abzmike]

Someone asking so many questions shouldn’t be thinking of going anywhere near them.

[and31]

A somewhat apt username you have OP

[keo]

Not the same but similar. I went Belfast last year with my Mrs and another couple. We stayed on the Shankill, were welcomed in the Rangers club. Didn’t go on falls road. We were fine.

Don’t wear a Celtic shirt and be respectful and I’d imagine you would be ok!

[hidetheelephants]

They aren't terrorists, they're gobste wasters standing around a pile of burning pallets.

[borcy]

There must be a shortage of pallets in NI when they have so many bonfires? Some of them are massive.

[Silvanus]

You could take along a few things to add to the bonfires, maybe Palestinian, Irish and pride flags along with some hate messages and photos of politicians.

[Somewhatfoolish]

Silvanus said:

You could take along a few things to add to the bonfires, maybe Palestinian, Irish and pride flags along with some hate messages and photos of politicians.

I get a bit tired lifting things. Maybe I should have them printed on a t shirt I wear so I could take it off at the last minute at the venue?

[Smokey Bear]

So you’re going to go to a loyalist bonfire and say you support the UK. What exactly do you support?

Do you support the fact that all the loyalists if they are so loyal should just p1ss off back to the UK and let Ireland be Ireland?

[hidetheelephants]

Smokey Bear said:

So you’re going to go to a loyalist bonfire and say you support the UK. What exactly do you support?

Do you support the fact that all the loyalists if they are so loyal should just p1ss off back to the UK and let Ireland be Ireland?

They're your gobste wasters, you keep them.

[lancslad58]

If you want to see bonfires just go to Lewes on bonfire night, it's safer than Belfast.

[loskie]

I reckon the OP's missed the boat on this one for this year at least.


OP there'll be loads of visitors from England and Scotland. The Scots wearing Rangers shirts 'cos nothing shout sectarianism more than an old firm football kit.

Similarly there's gonna be loads of NI ex pats from Manc and LPoool.

Just don't wear any green or be obviously catholic.

Insult the Pope and the 'RA now and again for added authenticity.

For a lads weekend of drinking and being rowdy I can imagine it's a pretty good thing to go to.
I was at some of the marches in the mid 90s and it was a bit tense but heavily laden then with troops in ditches.
I'm not from NI.


The bonfires are seriously impressive (they keep popping onto my facebook for some reason) but they must break all sort of Health and Safety and Environmental Laws. Is it still a lawless country?

[Levin]

Somewhatfoolish said:

I like my tourism obscure and weird. How safe is it to visit one of those loyalist bonfires as an Englishman? My general experience visiting analogous stuff abroad is it's absolutely fine cause it's incredibly obvious I'm not on "one side" or another and I stand out as a white person anyway and get a bunch of attention (and possibly protection) and am a bit of a trophy.

This situation is totally different. I wouldn't blend in if anyone spoke to me, and there are likely subtle clothing signals that would make me stand out if I just wandered in. Additionally, they probably all know each other. On one hand, my English accent might work in my favor, especially if I make a neutral statement about supporting the UK and being interested in attending to show solidarity, even if I don't fully grasp the complexities. On the other hand, loyalists are known for being "more British than the British," and the places where they have these bonfires also seem pretty fking council. Also, they don't fk around, they're literally armed terrorists. So I don't wanna fk them off.

Anyone know this scene properly?

Thinking about it next year if the timing works.

Frankly, OP, if you're interested in danger tourism there are far more dangerous things to do than go to a bonfire. The bonfire in Craigyhill, in Larne, is likely especially open to tourists by virtue of it drawing so much attention through its height. I don't think it's worth your while to attend anything other than a big bonfire, given they all end up the same way (i.e. burning, oftentimes collapsing).

The fact you won't blend in is no bad thing, either - you are a tourist and being one is beneficial. Clothing signals are overt, not subtle. Turn up in a jumper and jeans and you'll blend in just fine. I wouldn't even voice any opinions beyond being interested in seeing it. There's no point opening up further discussion of your feelings or thoughts on the matter. The vast majority of attendees are not going to be armed terrorists, either. Some people are just especially keen either on the whole identity, others are just there for the big fire, and others still are there to drink cans.

In my opinion, it's not going to make for an especially good holiday. The bonfire is a bonfire, no more and no less. You'll likely end up running into detours the day after as that's when the parades take place in various towns and villages. That is where the problem lies, for there are a million and one different things you can do in Northern Ireland which I would suggest are more interesting. For one example, touring Belfast (and not just the city centre). Remnants of the old tensions are still there, such as the gates separating the Shankill Road from the Falls Road at various points. The stretch along Cupar Way is pretty recognisable, and the International Wall is one of the more famous sights.

[Somewhatfoolish]

Levin said:

Somewhatfoolish said:

I like my tourism obscure and weird. How safe is it to visit one of those loyalist bonfires as an Englishman? My general experience visiting analogous stuff abroad is it's absolutely fine cause it's incredibly obvious I'm not on "one side" or another and I stand out as a white person anyway and get a bunch of attention (and possibly protection) and am a bit of a trophy.

This situation is totally different. I wouldn't blend in if anyone spoke to me, and there are likely subtle clothing signals that would make me stand out if I just wandered in. Additionally, they probably all know each other. On one hand, my English accent might work in my favor, especially if I make a neutral statement about supporting the UK and being interested in attending to show solidarity, even if I don't fully grasp the complexities. On the other hand, loyalists are known for being "more British than the British," and the places where they have these bonfires also seem pretty fking council. Also, they don't fk around, they're literally armed terrorists. So I don't wanna fk them off.

Anyone know this scene properly?

Thinking about it next year if the timing works.

Frankly, OP, if you're interested in danger tourism there are far more dangerous things to do than go to a bonfire. The bonfire in Craigyhill, in Larne, is likely especially open to tourists by virtue of it drawing so much attention through its height. I don't think it's worth your while to attend anything other than a big bonfire, given they all end up the same way (i.e. burning, oftentimes collapsing).

The fact you won't blend in is no bad thing, either - you are a tourist and being one is beneficial. Clothing signals are overt, not subtle. Turn up in a jumper and jeans and you'll blend in just fine. I wouldn't even voice any opinions beyond being interested in seeing it. There's no point opening up further discussion of your feelings or thoughts on the matter. The vast majority of attendees are not going to be armed terrorists, either. Some people are just especially keen either on the whole identity, others are just there for the big fire, and others still are there to drink cans.

In my opinion, it's not going to make for an especially good holiday. The bonfire is a bonfire, no more and no less. You'll likely end up running into detours the day after as that's when the parades take place in various towns and villages. That is where the problem lies, for there are a million and one different things you can do in Northern Ireland which I would suggest are more interesting. For one example, touring Belfast (and not just the city centre). Remnants of the old tensions are still there, such as the gates separating the Shankill Road from the Falls Road at various points. The stretch along Cupar Way is pretty recognisable, and the International Wall is one of the more famous sights.

Thanks. Basically that's what I expected actually, but do want to check before unnecessarily orphaning my child (or possibly children by that point next year).

I have already done the latter on one of those taxi tour things.

(I'm assuming here you know what you're talkinga bout)

[bloomen]

I would shortcut it and stand on top of the bonfire and wave as you go up.

I expect loyalists hate the English more than the Irish because they're not committed enough to... whatever they're committed to.

[Gareth79]

borcy said:

There must be a shortage of pallets in NI when they have so many bonfires? Some of them are massive.

I read that people turn up at anywhere with lots of pallets and suggest that they'd like to donate a few thousand to the cause

[CG2020UK]

I’m actually from Belfast and a working class protestant background.

Being completely honest there isn’t anything dangerous about it. It’s a bonfire with families drinking. Think of a rowdy all inclusive holiday and you’ll be spot on. Your biggest problem is getting a taxi home.

The later you stay obviously the more rowdy the crowds get and it’s when you get the “he is getting hit because he kissed my mrs” drama.

Most of Belfasts communities are now mixed with people from both sides in relationships. There are actually loads from ‘the other side’ who attend the 12th celebration in the same way as St.Patricks parade. What the media portrays is different to the reality. You’ll see a wide range of people from black kids, to people in wheelchairs to a die hard loyalist. As you are English obviously avoid the die hard republican areas.

If you are doing it next year Sandy Row in Belfast centre would be my recommendation then the next day watch the parades. The day of the bonfires maybe do a tour of Crumlin road gaol. Larne Craigyhill is impressive in terms of size but it’s outside Belfast.

People in Northern Ireland will go out of their way to help you and are very friendly however as you have hinted at yourself what I would caution (something that both sides have in common) is we also have a massive FAFO attitude.

[dunkind]

You could just stay in England and get your mates to talk with an Irish accent. Plenty of burnings going on at the moment.