The contentious Orange Order return parade past the flashpoint Ardoyne shops in north Belfast concluded last night without major incident, marking the end of one of the most peaceful Twelfth celebrations in decades.
Fierce rioting erupted at Ardoyne in 2004 and 2005 but last night, despite the absence of an agreement between the Orange Order and the local nationalist residents' groups, strict marshalling on both sides ensured the Twelfth ended on a peaceful note.
The Orange Order observed the restrictions placed on the morning and evening Ardoyne marches to and from the main Belfast parade. In the morning five Orange lodges, three bands and supporters marched by the shops, parading without music.
Nationalists staged a silent protest along the side of the road.
Last night just three lodges and two bands, again without music, took part in the return parade, while supporters of the parade were bussed by the shops. While the PSNI security operation was increased last night to match the larger nationalist protest, there were no serious incidents.
Seconds after the parade went by the shops at 7.50pm, three loud firecrackers and a small number of golf balls were thrown, apparently from the nationalist side, but that was the only incident.
Security was significantly scaled down, with the huge steel barriers separating Orange marchers from nationalist protesters that were evident in previous years, absent last night.
Sinn Féin junior minister Gerry Kelly said he was delighted with the peaceful outcome. While there was no local agreement, he indicated that there was an understanding between local loyalists and nationalists that the night should be peaceful.
"There was not the tension that we have had in years before and that is because we have people from both sides talking together," he said.
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Fred Cobain said: "I am happy enough with the outcome, but we still have a couple of things to work out - the fireworks and the golf balls - but overall I am delighted."
Yesterday morning nationalists staged a protest as an Orange feeder parade marched through the Workman Avenue gate onto the nationalist Springfield Road, a trouble-spot in previous years. Again it concluded peacefully.
There were a number of minor incidents. Buses carrying band members were attacked in Armagh in the afternoon. Windows were smashed by stone-throwers as the buses travelled along Friary Road in Armagh city.
Paint-filled balloons were thrown at an Orange hall at Claudy, Co Derry.
During the week three Orange halls in Co Armagh were also targeted by arsonists but again the level of such sectarian attacks was down on previous more contentious years.
Overall, tens of thousands of Orangemen, hundreds of bands, and thousands more supporters participated in 18 Orange Order parades and one Independent Orange Order parade in Ballymoney, Co Antrim.