Why do bonfires cause violence in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland just experienced the worst week of violence in a couple of years, as tensions flared during the annual 12th week celebrations. The police attempted to crack down on dangerous bonfires over 200ft tall but we're targeted by masked youths, while in Derry/Londonderry gangs linked to dissident republicans threw petrol bombs at passing cars and attacked protestant estates.

(Click to subscribe for more Channel 4 News videos.
https://www.youtube.com/channel4news?...)

The 12th of July and week surrounding it are a celebration of Protestant culture in Northern Ireland, commemorating the victory of the protestant King William of Orange over the Catholic King James.

While Unionists claim that it is an important cultural event for their community, the nationalist and Catholic population of Northern Ireland believe it is sectarian and triumphalist.


Throughout history the week has been a flashpoint for violence between the two communities and more recently, the attacks have increasingly involved the police forces. It happens every year, but this year is the worst in a while and people are worrying that it might be a sign that the regular and serious violence is returning to Northern Ireland.