Under a gray, overcast sky, more than 1,000 protesters gathered Saturday in the Northern Ireland city of Belfast carrying large Union flags, some wrapped around their shoulders. The silent protest ...

A stranger coming to Northern Ireland, especially during the marching season, would believe that this is a province obsessed with flags and anthems which are used as potent symbols of identity.

The Union flag was raised over Belfast City Hall on Wednesday morning for the first time since a vote last month to stop flying it year-round prompted violent protests in Northern Ireland. The ...