Our Lodges

A District of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland

our district | the order | our parades | features | orange links | guestbook |

Orange Order to Develop Museums in Belfast and Loughgall

The Orange Order has launched ambitious plans to develop interpretive centres at its headquarters in Belfast and in Loughall, Co. Armagh, the founding place of Orangeism.

The Order is the lead partner in a £4M project which will see museums and interpretive centres at Schomberg House, Belfast, and Sloan's House in Loughall.

"It will be an unequalled historical collection of historical material relating to Orangeism," said Director of Services Dr. David Hume.

An application for the iconic proposal has been submitted to a European Funding Programme along with a detailed business plan.

Dr. Hume went on: "It is a central plank of the submission that the Orange Order has a key role in society and that unless there is engagement with the Order from the wider community, there will continue to be misunderstandings leading to conflict and lack of respect for difference cultures.

"The Orange interpretive centres proposal gives the opportunity for that understanding to develop."

Planning permissions has already been obtained for the proposed development at Schomberg House, while permission is pending for the Loughall site.

Museum consultants from London have visited both sites and produced detailed plans to enhance the outstanding collection of artifacts and documents which is held by the Orange Order.

Their suggestions include the re-creation of a one-third replica model of the sculpture of King William on Clifton Street Orange Hall in Belfast as a focal point for the display area at Schomberg House.

An early 20th century Orange Hall would also be created inside the building and would be utilised as the entrance to a new dedicated museum area as well as an educational resource for school and community visits, and a location for lodge meetings.

At Loughgall, there are plans for tableaux which will recreate the signing of the first Orange Lodge warrants in 1795.

Already 100 Orange lodges across Ireland have written in support of the proposals and highlighted that they have historical materials which they would wish to place in any new interpretive centre.

Support letters from across the community have also been submitted with the application with testimonials from schools and community groups who have engaged with the Order and its community education programme.

In addition, the Cavan County and Monaghan County Museums and the Millmount Museum in Drogheda have signed up to be partners with the Loughall Centre, while the Somme Centre and the White House at Whiteabbey are partners with the Schomberg House project. This means that the various sites will be able to transfer exhibitions and literature will be on hand at each encouraging visitors to the others.

"This is without doubt one of the most significant projects ever undertaken by the Orange Order," said Dr. Hume. "We know there is a massive appetite from all sections of the community about our history and these interpretive centres will become the focal point for anyone who has a sense of history and tradition and wants to learn more."

The plans were unveiled to politicians, opinion formers, historians and other interested people at an event in Schomberg House.

11th December 2009

Orange Order Remembers the Fallen

The Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Robert Saulters, has spoken of the sacrifice made by Orangemen during the Troubles.

He was speaking at the annual Remembrance Day Memorial Service at the headquarters of the Order, Schomberg House , on the Cregagh Road in east Belfast, on Wednesday, November 11.

He said: "Today, we gather to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy and freedom. We remember the men and women who died while serving their country, in conflicts all over the world. We think back to the battlefields of the First World War and the Second World War, Korea and the Falklands and many more.

"More recently we have seen our armed forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many service personnel who are based here in Northern Ireland have served with great distinction in those countries. Tragically some of them have been killed and others have been severely injured. They have suffered physical injury and many have suffered mental injury, which can take as long to heal.

"Today as we lay poppy crosses we should remember those brave people. And we should also let their colleagues and their families know that they have overwhelming support in the community.

"Last year, I had the privilege of attending the Homecoming Parade in Belfast. It was one of the most uplifting events I have ever seen. Hopefully the soldiers on parade on that day will have seen just how much we think of them.

"We must also think today of the people who lost their lives in the Troubles - those people murdered by terrorists while doing their duty or going about their daily lives. And we must never forget those who were injured. At the beginning of the Troubles, the Orange Order encouraged people to join the security forces and serve this country. Many of our members joined the police and the Ulster Defence Regiment and served with bravery and honour.

"They made a serious commitment to the well-being and safety of everyone in this community. They did their duty but paid a terrible price. Throughout the Troubles, the Orange Institution lost 330 people who were killed by the gun and bomb. That is approximately one tenth of those who died in all those years. It is too easy to forget the price paid by Orangemen, the length and breadth of this country.

"Of those 330 Orangemen who were killed, 214 of them were serving in the security forces or had previously served. The cowards who cut them down did not really care whether or not they still wore the uniform of their country. In fact many of the murders were carried out while our brethren were at their most vulnerable, going about their civilian lives.

"We should not forget our brethren who died because they chose to serve the community. Republicans are trying desperately to re-write history - to airbrush their evil deeds from the pages of the history books that are still to be written.

"They have sought to vilify the Orange Order, they have sought to explain their campaign of ethnic cleansing as some sort of justified war. That is warped logic and we will not let them away with it. They can re-write their own books but they will not be allowed to change the true history of what they did. Protestants, unionists and the loyal orders have had enough of republicans claiming that they had the right to take lives as part of what they called the armed struggle. They had no such right and we will not let them away with it. They do not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the people who put on a uniform and swore allegiance to Queen and country.

"We asked our members to join the security forces and now we owe them our support. We need to stand up for them. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten, the pain and anguish of the loved ones they left behind will not be forgotten. We will ensure that on days like this - Remembrance Day - we remember all the service personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"We all have a unique covenant with the military. It is up to all of us, and our government, to ensure that soldiers are looked after properly - while serving abroad and here at home. We must also ensure that the after care for those injured and traumatised is as good as it should be.

"This country and indeed the world would be a very different place if it was not for the armed forces. Their courage should make the rest of us feel very humble. We will remember them.

11th November 2009

Important Donation to Orange Archives

A valuable and historic book from the year of the Battle of the Boyne has been presented by Belfast City Council to the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.

The Paymaster General's Book from 1690 was held by Belfast City Council for many years after having been presented to Belfast Corporation. When the council realised the importance of the book and the records it contained about King William's Army, they approached the Orange Order.

Councillor William Humphrey, Chairman of the Council Culture, Development and Arts Committee, presented the book - on permanent loan - to the Orange Order. It will be held in their headquarters, Schomberg House, and form part of their archive.

The Paymaster General was Thomas Coningsby, an ardent supporter of King William, who was alongside him for much of the Williamite Wars.

The Orange Order Library in Schomberg House is called the Conningsby Room.

Councillor Humphrey said that Belfast City Council did not really appreciate the historical significance of the book. "We knew that it had been presented to the old Belfast Corporation way back in the mists of time," he said.

"But, we did not really appreciate just how much information there was in it, until we gave it a more detailed examination. You could almost say this was a narrative of the events of 1690 and the start of the Williamite Wars. It is incredibly interesting and fortunately has been maintained in pristine condition.

"We decided to give it on permanent loan to the Orange Order so that more people would have access to it and read the fascinating detail."

Dr. Jonathan Mattison, Research Assistant at the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said the book was a goldmine of information. "We are delighted to have such an important piece of history for display in Schomberg House," he said.

"We are currently developing plans for the creation of an Interpretative and Educational Centre so that the whole community can learn about the Orange and related tradition in Irish, British and world history. Manuscript material like this book will have pride of place.

"We are extremely grateful to Belfast City Council for placing such an item with us."

23rd October 200

The Impact of Terrorism on the Orange Order

The Orange Order organised a special event, on Monday, September 21, to show the impact of terrorism on the Institution.

More than 300 members of the Orange Order were murdered during the Troubles, almost one in ten of the people killed.

The United Nations has designated September 21st each year as International Day of Peace and the Grand Orange Lodge organised a special event to brief opinion formers about the cost of terrorism.

David Hume, Director of Services, said: "Our experience has shown that the Protestant community, for a variety of reasons, has been unwilling to publicly tell the story of terrorism's impact on it over the decades. We believe it is important this story is both told and heard so that a healing process can take place and that a level of closure can be brought to bear.

"The future can only be built stronger if the pain and suffering of the innocent victims of terrorism is remembered, understood and appreciated."

The Orange Order organised a Day of Peace bus tour which took opinion formers through parts of Co. Down and Co. Armagh. They met members and friends of the Orange Order who had suffered at the hands of terrorists.

Included on the itinerary was a visit to Tullyvallen Orange Hall, near Newtownhamilton, where five Orangemen were shot dead by the IRA, during a lodge meeting on September 1, 1975. The group heard from one of the survivors of the attack, Berry Reaney, who was shot in the arm.

Grand Master Robert Saulters led the delegation of Orangemen, who were joined by Brendan McAllister, a Victims Commissioner, Patricia Mallon, Alliance, Paul Stewart, DUP, Derek Hussey, UUP, and Jim Allister, TUV. A member of the Foreign Affairs Department from the Government of the Irish Republic also attended.

21st September 2009

Orange Order Concerned About Meigh Takeover

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has issued the following statement about the incident in Meigh, County Armagh, when armed men staged a roadblock in the village.

"We are extremely concerned at the situation which is developing in South Armagh, where the police appear to have surrendered effective control in some areas to paramilitary groups.

"Although not so well publicised, we believe this is also happening in parts of Fermanagh, which are not being policed. We are now seeing the inevitable legacy of the Patton Report.

"We fully support the policemen and women on the ground, who are being left in an impossible and life threatening position, because of the politically inspired changes to policing which are designed to appease rather that deliver a better service."

26th August 2009

Orange Order condemns sectarian attacks

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has issued a statement about sectarian attacks on Catholic churches, and another arson attack on Greenisland Orange Hall in Belfast.

"We condemn without reservation these sectarian attacks which are designed to create community tension.

"The people who attack our property or those who attack catholic churches must be handed over to the police. Their actions are despicable and must be condemned by everyone.

"The people who attack catholic churches do not speak for the Protestant community.

"There are evil people on all sides in the community who want to cause strife and create havoc but it is up to the law-abiding population to make sure they do not have their way."

9th July 2009

George Best collarette in display

The Orange Order's most ambitious exhibition yet will be open to the public at its headquarters in Belfast for the next four months - and among the many exhibits is a collarette worn by George Best.

'The Orange World - Beyond the Boyne' opens on Thursday, July 9 at 1pm, at Schomberg House on the Cregagh Road in Belfast and runs until October.

The exhibition will tell the story of the Orange Institution and follows the publication of Beyond The Banners, a history of World Orangeism which is proving very successful.

Among the artifacts on display will be banners, regalia, old photographs and documents from Orange lodges all around the world.

Pride of place will be given to a collarette presented to the Orange Order by George Best's family. As a young boy George carried the strings of the banner for the local lodge in the Cregagh area, while his father Dickie was worshipful master. In his autobiography he recalls how important the Twelfth was to his family.

It is believed George was a member of the Junior Orange Order.

Also on display will be the medal struck to commemorate The Freedom of Castlereagh Borough which was bestowed on George. The official documents for the commemoration and a special evening to mark the occasion were signed by the legendary footballer. They were bought at public auction by the Queen's University Lodge, Rising Sons of William LOL 1845 and donated to the exhibition.

The exhibition has been timed to coincide with the Imperial Orange Council which meets in Belfast for a three day conference, starting on Wednesday, July 15.

Almost 100 delegates from nine countries and four continents will take part in the 43rd meeting of the Imperial Council, which meets every three years and was last in Belfast in 1997.

Delegates will attend from England, Scotland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Togo and Ghana.

The Imperial Orange Council is not a governing body, as it does not make laws or rules for Orange Grand Lodges, but it does bring together the various jurisdictions in a spirit of fraternity and fellowship.

The Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Robert Saulters, is currently the Imperial President.

The organiser of the exhibition David Hume, Director of Services for the Orange Order, is hopeful that it will be a big success.

"Obviously, we are delighted that the Imperial Grand Council is being held in Belfast and this means that as well as the delegates, their families will come to Northern Ireland as well.

"The visitors will be here for the Twelfth parades on Monday and some of them are also going to Rossnowlagh on the Saturday.

"The exhibition will be a big draw and they should enjoy seeing what we have on display. This is the most ambitious exhibition we have ever mounted - an incredible amount of research and work has gone into it and I believe that is reflected on what people can see.

"We want members of the Orange Order to visit the exhibition and enjoy it, but it is also open to the public and hopefully when the new school term opens after the summer, young people will come and see around it.

"We have found that schools are fascinated by our exhibitions and this one will be no exception.

"Of course the collarette worn by George Best and the other documents signed by him should be a major attraction. We are deeply indebted to George's family for very kindly making this presentation to the Order and there is no doubt that it will create a lot of interest."

9th July 2009

Working in partnership to tackle drinking at parades and events

The Police Service will again be working with parade organisers and partner agencies to take a robust approach to underage and on street drinking this summer.

This is part of a multi-agency strategy to tackle the misuse of alcohol both at a range of public events, as well as across wider society.

Over the summer months the Police Service will be working with councils, parade organisers, including the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Royal Black Institution and Associated Clubs of Apprentice Boys of Derry and other partners to address drinking at public events.

Superintendent Peter Loughins, who heads up the alcohol strategy, said that the Police Service and its partners hoped to build on the success of last year.

"The reality is that the vast majority of events pass off peacefully, but when drink becomes involved there is potential for trouble and disorder.

"In 2008 we worked very closely with the Orange Order, other parade organisers and partners to tackle the problem of drinking at public events. In Belfast alone 3,000 items of drink were seized on the Twelfth.

"This year we will again be working to ensure that everyone, whether they are attending parades or not, can enjoy their activities safely and peacefully. The Police Service, parade organisers and other partners will be handing out leaflets prior to public events encouraging people not to drink either on a parade route or on the street, and informing them that it is illegal to do so.

"Officers will not hesitate to enforce legislation and by-laws, and where possible will confiscate alcohol and report people to local councils, the PPS, or Youth Diversion Officers," he said.

Superintendent Loughins added: "We want people to have a good day out, but to do it responsibly. It will only be a success if people make it a success. Drinking excessively can lead to anti-social behaviour, people feeling intimidated, assaults and other crime. It is all communities that pay the price, so I would urge people to think before they drink.

"Whilst officers will be taking a robust approach to drinking at public events, we can only police the symptoms - it is crucial that everyone continues to work together to address the root causes. That isn't going to happen overnight. It will take the commitment of everyone over a longer period of time, and requires education, encouragement and enforcement."

Drew Nelson, Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said:

"The abuse of alcohol is an increasing problem for society throughout the British Isles and Northern Ireland is no exception from that general trend.

"The Orange Institution does not wish to see alcohol abused in any way at any of our events or parades over the summer period.

"We are therefore appealing to our members and supporters to refrain from consuming alcohol at our events and in all circumstances obey the relevant laws and byelaws.

"The misuse of alcohol can put people off attending our parades and we will be co-operating with the PSNI to ensure all our parades and events pass off peacefully and can by enjoyed by everyone."

Belfast City Council is one of the Councils working in partnership with the police and event organisers to tackle illegal drinking in the city during the summer period.

The council's community safety team has provided information to Loyal Orange Lodges in Belfast, reminding them that streets and parks are alcohol-free zones, and anyone caught drinking alcohol in public may be prosecuted and face a fine.

This is part of the council's ongoing work to reduce underage drinking and stop people from drinking on streets and in our parks and leisure facilities.

8th July 2009

Two Orange Halls attacked

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has condemned vandalism attacks on two Orange Halls over the weekend.

Sectarian slogans were daubed on the Orange Hall in the centre of Rasharkin. This is the fourth time this year that the hall has been the target for attack.

Paint was also thrown at the front of Belfast Orange Hall, at Carlisle Circus. Extensive work was recently carried out to enhance the appearance of the hall, which is the location for the start of the Belfast Twelfth Parade.

5th July 2009

Speech by Darryl Hewitt - Drumcree 2009

On behalf of Portadown District LOL No 1 I would like to thank each and every one of you for your attendance at our Annual Church Service and Parade to Drumcree Parish Church.

Once again we find ourselves standing in front of this barrier preventing us from completing our traditional route from Drumcree Parish Church back to our starting point in Carleton Street. As you are all aware this part of our Parade and Church Service has not been completed since July 1998. However, I must inform you that it is not without the District Officers of this fine District putting in a lot of effort and time seeking a resolution to the impasse. We will not be walking away from this place and I can assure you that we will continue to work hard to achieve what we desire. Also to the Officers and Brethren of Portadown District can I, on behalf of the District Officers, thank you for your continued support and help over the years.

We attempt to complete our parade each and every Sunday - a fact that most people in Northern Ireland are not aware of - and there is a presence on the Hill every night. This has been the case since July 1998 when our late District Master Wor Bro Harold Gracey said that we would remain on protest until our rights have been restored. There have been many changes in Northern Ireland since Harold uttered those words - we now have an assembly in place, the RUC have been replaced by a police service that is not fit to tie the shoe laces of the RUC, loyalists have decommissioned their weapons, the Deputy First Minister states that the Orange Order should voluntarily change routes away from (what he terms) Nationalist areas.

We parade, not just for ourselves, but on almost every banner in an Orange Parade you will see the slogan "Civil and Religious Liberty". This is meant for ALL, not just the Orange Order. Perhaps the Deputy First Minister should take the time to understand the meaning of what is portrayed on a lot of our Banners and stop lecturing the Orange Order - we certainly do not need him telling the Brethren of Portadown District where they can walk, or indeed how they will behave whilst on Parade. The Deputy First Minister keeps talking about a 'shared future', but the message must go to him from this place today that all we can see is that his notion of a shared future is his past.

Of course, whilst the security forces are the ones given the task of preventing us from completing our parade, the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the non-Parades Commission, in particular the outgoing Chair, Roger Poole. Roger came into the job with great gusto, he would do this and he would do that. After four years I can tell you all, he did nothing. What a waste of taxpayers money, flying him in and out of the country every week.

In October 2006 Portadown District informed the Parades Commission that we were ready and willing to enter face-to-face mediation. To this day, almost three years later, he has been unable, or unwilling, to take the necessary steps to get both sides round the table. We in Portadown District are not sorry to see Roger Poole retiring from the job and we can only hope and pray that his successor, Rena Shepherd, will be much more proactive in seeking a resolution to the impasse. Once again, on behalf of Portadown District I can state today that we are ready, willing and able to enter face-to-face mediation with NO PRECONDITIONS.

As regards the Ashdown review on parading, it holds no solace for Portadown District, as this parade is regarded as a legacy parade and is not to be included under the new arrangements for parading. Who will adjudicate on this parade? - not even the Minister for Security, Paul Goggins MP, was able to inform the Grand Master, County Grand Master and myself at a recent meeting we held with him!

Following a recent meeting with the First Minister, Peter Robinson, we welcome the steps initiated by him, which were announced yesterday. I can also confirm that the offer of assistance came from Peter Robinson in his role of First Minister and not as simply leader of the DUP. We are particularly pleased that he has identified the importance of parading to the Protestant and Unionist culture. The First Minister's statement is, we believe, a valuable contribution to the process and given good will on all sides has the ability to move the situation forward. Portadown District LOL No 1 will once again not be found wanting in our response to this initiative.

In connection with this, allow me to address the people of the Garvaghy Road directly - I am sure that the residents on the Garvaghy Road are, along with ourselves, welcoming of the news that Mr McKenna has intimated in newspaper reports that he too is willing to enter a meeting with the First Minister.

We can only hope and pray that these comments from him in the press are correct and that he does respond quickly and positively to the invitation from the First Minister. We would like to think that both meetings with the First Minister could take place within the next week to 10 days.

If there is the will on both sides, I am firmly of the opinion that the First Minister will continue to provide the proactive leadership which he has shown, and has been so lacking with Roger Poole.

Finally please do not rush away for 2 reasons - firstly the Ladies on the Hill, who are here every night, have a cup of tea and some eats for everyone and secondly Roger Poole stated that the Hill should be clear by 2.30pm today. I can assure you that Portadown District Officers will remain on the Hill past this time.

Here We Stand, We Can Do No Other!

5th July 2009

Orange Order Director calls for a cultural revival across the United Kingdom

The Director of Services of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Dr. David Hume, has told a conference in Glasgow that Protestants need to act to preserve the unique heritage of the United Kingdom and the Orange Institution.

Addressing the bi-annual conference of the County Grand Lodge of Central Scotland in Motherwell at the weekend he said that those who have promoted political agendas which have attempted to downgrade the national identity of the United Kingdom are now in danger of handing political victories to parties which would be at the opposite extreme of the political spectrum.

"Those who have promoted agendas which have attempted to downgrade the national identity of the UK are now in danger of inadvertently handing political victories to parties who are capitalising on the frustration and annoyance of ordinary people, who are now made to feel that they should be ashamed to display their British identity. The truth is that being British is not about race, or creed or culture. Being British is about pluralism not uniformity, it is about respect for difference and about difference itself," he said.

Dr. Hume said that it had become almost embarrassing to speak about the United Kingdom in any Protestant context.

"The issue of the Act of Settlement is a case in point, with attempts to portray the present constitutional arrangements as being about bigoted outlooks best confined to the 17th century. The truth, as one leading historian put it on Radio Four recently, is very different; the issue is whether a future monarch would be taking political direction if they were Roman Catholic from the Pope, who is a temporal head of state.

"The solution to it all is very simple. The Vatican should withdraw its insistence that the children of mixed marriages must be brought up as Roman Catholics. This would allow individual conscience to prevail.

"This was the very issue that so concerned Irish Unionists in the period 1886-1914 and modern Ulster Protestants believe that they were right to oppose Home Rule for the very same reasons that we have concerns over revoking the Act of Settlement today. As Ulster Scots many of us do not come from the Anglican tradition, yet we accept the particular arrangements which inform the Succession to the Throne. These issues need to be dealt with maturely and require mature discussion. Labelling people as bigots is a sign of immaturity," Dr. Hume said.

And he said all of this political correctness was leading to a situation where ‘Middle Britain’ was switching off from political life, which would be to the benefit of no one.

"The heritage which the Orange Order propounds is a heritage of civil and religious liberty. This means that we support a pluralist society as part of the legacy of the Glorious Revolution of 1688-90. But, equally, it means that we expect to have our majority views and ethos respected and taken account of," the Orange Order Director of Services said.

In his speech to the conference, he called for members of the Orange Institution to take the lead in a cultural, social and religious revival across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

"Our challenge in this modern world is to preserve our heritage, but to do much more than that. Our heritage is built on our culture. Our society. Our ethos. The history that has shaped us. And our faith.

"What we need now in this Kingdom is a revival of our identity, for all the best and all the right reasons, a cultural, social and religious revival for the 21^st century. There are people who have tried to take the Great out of Great Britain, to bring disunity to this United Kingdom. Our legacy for the future should be to take the lead in making people rightfully proud of who and what they are.

"We are the very organisation which can take that lead, the very people who can hand down that legacy. Barack Obama wrote of his beloved grandmother in the following terms; 'What Toot believed kept her going were the needs of her grandchildren and the stoicism of her ancestors.'

"That must be what keeps us going as well," the Orange Order Director of Services said.

"We have been handed a flame to pass on un-extinguished. It is a flame of civil and religious liberty and amidst all storms around it, it will survive."

THREE FLAGSHIP TWELFTHS SELECTED

Three Twelfth demonstrations have been selected as flagships for the biggest festival in Northern Ireland.

The flagships will be the standard bearers for the 18 demonstrations being organised by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland on Monday, July 13, 2009.

The three locations are Banbridge, Bangor and Larne. The events in those areas will receive special promotional support from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland. Grand Lodge will also work closely with the organisers of the flagships to promote the Twelfth.

Official estimates last year calculated that more than 500,000 people either took part in the parades or enjoyed them as spectators.

The Orange Order Director of Services, Dr. David Hume explained: "Three years ago we chose Bangor as a flagship Twelfth and more than 80,000 people attended the demonstration. The year after that Enniskillen was chosen and the tourist authorities were involved in very successful ‘host training’ for our stewards. Last year the flagship Twelfths were Belfast, Tandragee, Dromara and Coleraine and they proved extremely successful.

"We know that more than half a million people enjoy the Twelfth and there is hard evidence that an increasing number of tourists are planning trips to Northern Ireland at that time of year so they can see the parades. Many people time their visit home to family and friends just to see the Twelfth.

"All of our parades are very important and we will be working with all the organisers to maximise the positive impact of the Twelfth parades. But Grand Lodge decided that we should put an extra special effort into three demonstrations this year. We selected the three locations and we have no doubt that they will be a huge success."

The Orange Order has been working closely with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland to attract more visitors to the province in July.

"We have built a strong relationship with the tourist authorities," said David Hume.

"They are the professionals in their world and we have listened to their advice so that we can enhance what is available to the public."

The Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Robert Saulters, said:

"The Twelfth is a unique attraction in Northern Ireland and it brings with it immense benefits to the economy and to everyone in the community. We will be doing everything we can to make the Twelfth attractive for all the family and for anyone – local or visiting – who wants to see it.

"This year is very special for our institution. It is Imperial Orange Council year and delegates from across the Orange world will gather in Belfast in July for the 43rd Triennial Conference.

"The Orange Order has 100,000 members throughout the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Togo and Ghana. We are a worldwide fraternity and it will be a special occasions to see so many of our fellow brethren here in Northern Ireland.

"It will be a fantastic opportunity to show off all that is good about Northern Ireland. We are also planning to take delegates to the excellent Boyne Battlefield site near Drogheda."

The Rossnowlagh parade in Co. Donegal will be held on Saturday, July 11 this year and the demonstrations on July 13 will be in Belfast, Banbridge, Armagh, Londonderry, Kilrea, Dromore (Co. Tyrone), Bangor, Killyleagh, Larne, Glenarm, Ballymoney, Annalong, Coagh, Fivemiletown, Ballymena, Lisburn, Portglenone and Lisbellaw.

Many of the Twelfth demonstrations will form part of festivals running for two or three weeks in their area.

22nd April 2009

PETROL BOMB ATTACK ON BELFAST ORANGE HALL

Petrol bombs have been thrown at a major Orange Hall in Belfast.

The attack happened at Belfast Orange Hall, at Clifton Street, near Carlisle Circus this evening.

Four petrol bombs were thrown at the building while about 50 Orangemen attended a meeting inside. No-one was injured and damage was superficial.

A spokesman said: "Only last week we removed the protective cage from around the hall as a step of faith. However it has only taken a week for people to attack our hall and risk people’s lives. This is very clearly an attempt to create tension in the community. We would appeal for people to remain calm and allow the police to carry out an investigation and find the culprits. Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area should contact the police immediately."

1st April 2009

PROTESTANTS ENCOURAGED TO WORK WITH HISTORICAL ENQUIRIES TEAM

The Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Robert Saulters, has urged the Unionist and Protestant community to engage with the Historical Enquiries Team.

Speaking at an Orange Order function in Moneymore, Mr Saulters said the HET were carrying out a very important function in Northern Ireland.

He said: "We have recently seen the debacle over the Eames-Bradley Report and their failure to understand the difference between the perpetrators and the victims of violence.

"There was also the offensive recommendation that the families of every single person who died in the Troubles should receive compensation. That recommendation made no distinction between the paramilitaries and the rest of our community.

"The Orange Order knows all about the grief caused by terrorism. More than 330 Orangemen died in the Troubles. Many of them were serving in the security forces at the time, some were going about their normal routine and some were even murdered while attending Orange meetings.

"One tenth of the people who died in the Troubles were Orangemen, so we believe we have a right to speak up on their behalf. Our Murdered Brethren Appeal has given us an insight into the trauma suffered by families and indeed by those who were terribly injured. Our research has shown that these families do not want blood money. They want people convicted for the murders of their loved ones and they also want to know the truth about what happened.

"Senior officers from the Grand Lodge have held very constructive talks with HET and we were impressed by their integrity and determination to report on the truth about how people who died.

"Members of the Unionist and Protestant community have been slow to engage fully with the HET and I would strongly urge them to be more positive about what they are trying to achieve and support them where possible.

"There are a number of high profile and incredibly expensive public inquiries taking place in Northern Ireland. HET has a very small budget in comparison to these inquiries but they have people who are determined to establish the truth about every death they investigate.

"There is a lot of talk about human rights at the moment. The families of our Orange brethren who were killed have the basic human right of knowing what happened on the day that changed their lives for ever.

"The work of HET will not bring back those who died but it will bring an understanding of the circumstances and may, in a small way, reduce the pain and suffering endured by so many families.

"We will continue to work with HET to ensure that there is a proper perspective on the history of the Troubles and I would personally encourage people in our community to do likewise."

30th March 2009

ORANGE ORDER TO MEET REPUBLIC’S EDUCATION MINISTER

Senior officers of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland are to hold their first official meeting with a Government Minister from the Irish Republic on Tuesday, March 10.

Senior members of the Order will be in Dublin to discuss proposed cuts in grants to Protestant schools in the Republic.

The delegation will include the Grand Master, Robert Saulters, Grand Secretary, Drew Nelson, and senior officers from Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.

They will meet the Education Minister Batt O’Keefe and have a separate meeting with the Fine Gael spokesman on Education, Brian Hayes.

"We are extremely concerned about the future of education for Protestant children in the Republic,” said Drew Nelson, Grand Secretary.

"Last autumn’s budget in the Republic proposed the removal of the Special Service support grant from Protestant fee paying schools. This is totally unacceptable and would have a major effect on the education of Protestant children.

"We will be making the point very clearly to the education minister, that the Protestant population want to play their part in civic society in the Irish Republic, but actions like this send out the wrong message to our community.

"The Protestant population – particularly along the border counties –are isolated and vulnerable and there has been a tradition amongst them to keep their heads down, but this is an issue they feel obliged to highlight. The Orange Institution speaks for a great number of Protestant families and we feel it is our duty to speak up about these proposed cuts."

11th March 2009

Also

more stories from 2008