A US TikToker who went viral for describing an Orange Order march as an “Irish parade” has said the experience has made her “interested in learning more” about Ireland.
Liz White (33), who has over 80,000 followers on TikTok, was in Co Donegal on Saturday, July 6 when she was caught in the annual Rossnowlagh Orange parade.
In a video posted to TikTok, where she is seen enjoying the music as bandsmen in sashes passed by, she unknowingly described the march as an “Irish Parade”.
After some backlash the Florida native issued an apology for the TikTok which has since been viewed more than 2.5m times.
Speaking the Irish News the social media influencer said: “It’s been a learning experience, it’s made me more interested in learning more about the history.
“It’s also made me realise how much more you learn by travelling to other places, than you do from reading a book or watching a movie.
“You really have to places, and get stuck in a parade sometimes, to learn a few things about the history.”
@lizwizdom Can someone please tell me what kept me stuck here for 45 mins 🇮🇪
♬ original sound - LizWizdom
Ms White explained she had been travelling Ireland after attending the recent Taylor Swift concert in Dublin, and while in Donegal she was caught in traffic as “people started pilling out” of parked coaches.
“There was all these people just walking by, they were playing this music, they were laughing,” added Ms White.
“They were having such a good time and I just thought, well we’re stuck in traffic and we’re not going anywhere, we might as well just enjoy it.”
She said she was alerted to the political sensitivities around marching season by a stranger who reached out to her after she posted the video.
“I immediately went on to TikTok, and did a little research and then I put out a video thinking I have to explain my ignorance here,” she said.
“I mean some people are of course going to be a little bit mean, but mostly people were just cracking me up with their responses.”
@lizwizdom Replying to @moon emoji why is this scene exactly what happened to me #derrygirls ♬ Dreams - The Cranberries
She added that she has since been contacted by “a lot of people”, including from the Orange Order, offering to share more information about the historical context.
“A lot of people have been sending me resource books, movies and shows to watch. I dove into Derry Girls and I watched the episode where they are stuck in the parade and I thought that would have helpful beforehand,” she said.
“It’s been interesting to see how people have responded, the best part is just people who have said that it’s making them laugh a lot, even if it is at my expense, it’s good to bring some laughter to the world.”
