Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Hundreds of bands joined thousands of Orangemen on marches in cities, towns and villages

Orange Order Twelfth of July parades have taken place at 17 locations across Northern Ireland.

Tens of thousands of people attended the events, which mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Former Ireland rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll was filming a documentary at a parade in Loughgall

William III - the Dutch-born Protestant better known as William of Orange or King Billy - defeated the Catholic King James II in County Meath in July 1690.

Former Ireland rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll was among those who watched the Orangemen marching on Thursday.

Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Many spectators dressed up in Union flag colours to mark the Twelfth day

Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Trade was brisk at the ice cream van on a warm day for the parade in Ballymena in County Antrim

Edward Stevenson, the grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said the parades showcased "culture and heritage".

"There are very few events on these islands that can bring such vast numbers of people on to the streets, either by taking part or simply to watch the music and pageantry," he told BBC News NI.

Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Orangemen in Belfast wore their traditional bowler hats and stopped at the city's Cenotaph

The Orange Order was formed near Loughgall in County Armagh in 1795, when its founding members pledged their loyalty to the royal family and swore to defend the Protestant faith.

Every year on 12 July, marching bands from Orange lodges all over Northern Ireland parade through villages, towns and cities before listening to speeches and prayers by senior Orangemen.

Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Flutes were played, drums were beaten and cymbals were crashed by band musicians

Loughgall hosted one of the parades on Thursday and rugby legend Mr O'Driscoll tweeted to say he was at the procession to film a documentary on how his sport unifies Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland's tourism minister said the welcome he received at the Twelfth parade in Belfast was "a measure of how far we've come".

Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Flagbearers led their bands on the 17 Orange Order marches across Northern Ireland

Brendan Griffin became the first Irish government minister to attend the main Belfast parade.

The Orange Order presented him with a tie as he watched the parade on the Dublin Road in the centre of the city, a move that he said would once have been "unthinkable".

Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Music and bright colours were on display at the Twelfth parade in Ballymena

He added: "It would probably have been unthinkable as well that the leader of the DUP would have attended an Ulster [GAA] final in Clones - and that has happened.

"We're making great progress - we've a long way to go but all of these little steps are all positive steps.

"And if we can do little things that can help for the future, let's do that."

Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Lambeg drums were played by Orangemen on parade in Ballyclare in County Antrim

The Democratic Unionist Party's Peter Weir, who is also an Orangemen, said the visit by Mr Griffin was an example of "going the extra mile".

"And hopefully it's part of a wider recognition of the Irish government of the importance of Orangeism within Ireland as a whole," he added.

Edward Stevenson, the Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said the annual commemorations had been a "day to remember" and that there had been "extraordinary numbers of people".

"The Orange fraternity of County Armagh were also thrilled to be in the company of former Irish rugby international Brian O'Driscoll, who excelled himself on the Lambeg drum." he added.

"Such developments are to be commended and highlight the broad and growing appeal of our cultural traditions."

Image caption A parade in Londonderry passed the city's Hands Across The Divide monument

On Saturday, thousands of Orangemen from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland took part in the annual Orange Order parade in Rossnowlagh.

About 50 lodges from Cavan, Leitrim and Monaghan - as well as the host county of Donegal - marched along the narrow country roads into the seaside village.

This year, parades were held on Thursday in: