After touring the Orange Order headquarters, Mr Varadkar, who is often presented with a pair of socks, received some Galway crystal - a replica of the Boyne Obelisk which was blown up in 1923.

Tens of thousands of members of the Orange Order have been taking part in a parade and rally in Belfast in the climax to celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

The Orange Order and hundreds of marching bands have taken part in more than 550 parades across Northern Ireland to mark the Twelfth of July. The annual parades mark the Battle of the Boyne ...

The annual Orange ... Battle of the Boyne some 329 years ago. Celebrations begin on July 11 every year with bonfires and fireworks before thousands of members of the Orange Order take to the ...