The naming of GAA trophies after IRA terrorists is “repulsive,” according to the Grand Secretary of the Orange Order.

Mervyn Gibson has described the GAA as a “political organisation” that “aspires towards a united Ireland” in the North.

It comes as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across 15 locations in Northern Ireland today for 'The Twelfth' celebrations, which commemorate William of Orange’s victory in the Battle of the Boyne (1690).

On The Hard Shoulder today, Mr Gibson said he disagreed with the suggestion that his organisation intended to provoke others through the celebrations.

“We would say the GAA is a similar organisation to the Orange Institution; we’re part of the fabric of communities,” he said.

“But there are aspects of the GAA that my community finds totally repulsive.

“The naming of trophies after IRA terrorists who have murdered citizens and other people in Northern Ireland—it’s a political organisation.

“They play the national anthem at the end of games and aspire towards a united Ireland.

“There is a demonisation of our institution, but there can also be a demonisation of the GAA on the same basis."

A prepared bonfire in at Monarch Industrial Estate in Belfast last night. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Gibson defended the use of bonfires during celebrations.

“There were only 37 call-outs last night across Northern Ireland in respect of bonfires,” he said.

“It’s too many in my view, because there should be no calls to bonfires—they should be managed better.

“But with hundreds of fires across the province, incidents are bound to happen."

He said the Orange Order strives for peace in the North.

“We continue to talk and reach out to many people within the nationalist community to help them understand us better,” he said.

“We are not perfect; we haven’t done everything perfectly over the years—but nobody else has either.

“We are just part of the community like everyone else.”

United Ireland

Mr Gibson stated that he “won’t engage” in conversations about a united Ireland.

“I don’t want a united Ireland, and I don’t see it in the foreseeable future,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of talk in the last couple of years about it being around the corner, that it’s inevitable, and I think that’s actually damaging community relations in Northern Ireland.

“Let’s make Northern Ireland work for everybody. I’m not saying give up on your aspirations; we will take part in any conversation that’s open-ended.

“We want to be good neighbours, but we don’t want a united Ireland.

“It would be like me asking you to become British again, part of the United Kingdom—it’s just laughable.”

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Main image: An Orange Order march in Lurgan, County Armagh today. Image: CAZIMB / Alamy Stock Photo