Pictured before it was lit is the contentious loyalist bonfire pyre, located in the unionist Tiger's Bay area, close to an interface with the nationalist New Lodge area. REUTERS/Jason CairnduffNorthern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has appealed for calm amid tensions around the lighting of a loyalist bonfire near an interface area in ­Belfast. The bonfire was set to be lit last night as part of traditional “Eleventh Night” events in the interface area, where nationalist and unionist residential neighbourhoods adjoin. “Everybody is entitled to celebrate their culture, but this bonfire is on an interface area; that draws all the heightened tension. Meanwhile, more than 160 bonfires were lit across Northern Ireland last night as traditional “Eleventh Night” celebrations got under way.

Source: Irish Independent July 12, 2021 01:30 UTC