Sir Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP referred to it as “wrong and disrespectful”.
It follows the Saturday torching of an Irish flag and a photograph of the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar in Moygashel, County Tyrone.
Along with the boat, there was a placard on the bonfire that read, “Good Friday Agreement? That vessel has left port.
On July 11 each year, as part of commemorations for the Battle of the Boyne, bonfires are lighted in some unionist communities.
Even while most bonfires don’t have flags or effigies, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader claimed that those that do “harm the representation of my tradition and my identity.”
“I don’t regard that as being a part of my culture,” he continued.
Politicians in Northern Ireland have denounced the flag and poster burning.
Doug Beattie, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), tweeted that it was “not acceptable, it is childish and promotes hate.”
“Again, the many are let down by a few,” he remarked.
According to Mr. Varadkar, he saw the picture but didn’t think it really represented the vast majority of Northern Ireland’s unionists.
He claimed that the Irish government’s primary goal of achieving the Good Friday Agreement would not be derailed by the actions of a small minority of individuals.
After a bonfire in County Antrim the previous year, there was outrage.
It was “unsettling and disturbing,” according to Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, whose effigy was among those hung from the flames.
Every year, thousands of people in unionist regions of Northern Ireland celebrate the anniversary of the fight with parades on July 12 and bonfires on July 11.
The occasions commemorate William of Orange’s, commonly known as King Billy, 1690 victory over his Catholic father-in-law, King James II.
The Eleventh Night bonfire custom recalls how huge fires were lighted to greet William of Orange during the battle’s preparations.
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