"And was this because of expected violence by the British/English? "
It was down to the fact that the British Empire created a sectarian state in Ireland which instigated aggressive sectarian marches to display the superiority of those they left in charge
It iolence surrounding Orange maches have never had anything to doi with th difference in religions - if they had, this violence would be preent all the year round rather than on one day of the year
Outside of politics, Catholics and Protestants get on quite well together - this is a historical fact - the war has always been about British control of Ireland - religion is an excuse
It was a common occurrence during the period when it was forbidden for Catholics to purchase land, that their Protestant neighbours did so on their behalf
Britain's oldest trick was to divide those they wished top control
As far as Liverpool is concerned - the large Irish population reflected what was happening back home - triumphalism and all
Jim Carroll