Despite a petrol-bomb attack on the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall in Derry, both nationalist and unionist residents of the city expect that today's parade will pass off without major incident.
While the attack, which happened early yesterday morning, was described by a former mayor of Derry, Mr William Hay, as a "sectarian" incident, the mood in the city last night was in contrast to the heavy tensions of last year.
Mr Alistair Simpson, governor of the Apprentice Boys, said he believed today's parade could mark a new "watershed" in Northern Ireland's recent difficult history. He hoped the procession of the parade in a peaceful manner and without protest would prove that both communities could co-exist to the mutual benefit of each other both socially and economically.
Mr Donncha Mac Niallais, chief spokesman for the Bogside Residents' Group, yesterday repeated that there would be no nationalist protest against the parade.
He urged local nationalists to "go about their normal business", and called on the RUC to maintain a discreet presence in the Bogside.
Mr Mac Niallais appealed for a calm and disciplined response from all nationalists while adding that "the rights of marchers must be balanced against the rights and sensitivities of residents".
An estimated 15,000 Apprentice Boys involving about 12,000 Boys and 180 bands will participate in today's parade in the city, with a similar number viewing the proceedings.
This, the 308th anniversary of the relief of Derry from the forces of King James, is being marked with an early-morning pageant at the Memorial Hall in Derry city centre at 9 a.m.
Mr Mac Niallais said he planned to attend this morning's pageant which re-enacts the final days of the Siege of Derry. He hoped the experience would be of "historical educational value".
About the same time, the local Apprentice Boys will parade Derry's walls, including the previously disputed stretch near the nationalist Bogside. Later, at noon, the main parade will take place from the mainly Protestant Waterside, crossing the Foyle to Derry's west bank.
There is still a degree of concern that there may be some minor confrontations involving nationalists and Apprentice Boys, with the RUC in the middle, during "feeder" parades in Bellaghy, Dunloy and the lower Ormeau in Belfast. The Apprentice Boys have signalled they will accept the re-routings in Bellaghy and the lower Ormeau, although there may be a protest in Dunloy.
One man was arrested after the RUC had to intervene when fighting broke out between loyalist bandsmen and nationalists in the north Antrim town of Ballycastle just after 8 p.m. The RUC broke up the fight and the parade continued without any further serious incidents. Ballycastle has a majority Catholic population.
