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Canada/Ulster heritage Site

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The Orange Order: THE Order was formed in September 1795 in Co Armagh after a clash between Protestants and Catholics known as the Battle of the Diamond. When the fight finished a group of Protestants formed a circle, joined hands and vowed loyalty to the Crown, country and Reformed religion. Within twelve months, numbers had risen so rapidly that district and county lodges were formed to give the organisation some structure. According to the Order's own literature, its purpose was 'to bring together the Protestants of various denominations - Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Independents, Hugenots, Quakers - into one homogenous grouping to maintain their Protestant religion and way of life and as a distinctive affirmation that they intended to hold fast to the freedom of religion won at such a high cost at the Reformation.'  Although the 'rules' call on Orangemen to oppose Catholicism - "by all lawful means, resist the ascendency of that Church" - it also insists that members abstain "from all uncharitable words, actions or sentiments" towards their Roman Catholic brethern. "Because of its dedication to the Protestant faith and the British Crown, the Order has always opposed any move towards a United Ireland. In the 1880s the move towards Home Rule - a separate Irish parliament - encouraged many landowners, clergy and businessmen to join the Order, for fear that Home Rule would become "Rome Rule". The Order took its name from William of Orange who defeated the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690. Ten months after the Order was formed, on 12th July 1796, the Orange Order held its first Boyne Commemoration Parade as an appropriate way for members to witness their faith and celebrate their heritage and culture. ( Not a victory over Catholics that opponents to the Order contend.) That tradition still lasts to this day! Orangemen taking part in parades traditionally wear suits, white gloves and bowler hats because that was the formal wear amongst poorer people in the early 19th century. Collarettes are worn to identify people as members of the order while the flags and banners depict biblical scenes, famous people or events in history which are important to the founding of the Protestant faith. Pledge:  "to maintain their Protestant religion and way of life and as a distinctive affirmation that they intended to hold fast to the freedom of religion won at such a high cost at the Reformation'" The original structure of the Order is still in place today. At ground level, there are 1,400 Private Lodges which each send six representatives to the appropriate District Lodges. The 126 District Lodges in turn send between 7 and 13 representatives to the County Lodges. The 12 County Lodges then send representatives to the overall ruling body - the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.  The Grand Lodge has 250 members - most are representatives from the District Lodges but there are also a number of elected officers. The Lodge meets formally twice a year but it also has a series of committees covering such things as education, finance, press and orange standards.  The Order has always had a close association with the Ulster Unionist Party and many are members of both. First Minister and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble is himself an Orangeman - as were all six previous Prime Ministers when Northern Ireland had its own Government from 1921 to 1972. At the moment, there are approximately 80,000 Orangemen. The current leader, known as the Grand Master, is Robert Saulters.  Other key figures in the Order are executive officer George Patton and Armagh County Grand Master Denis Watson, who was recently elected to the Assembly.

Drumcree Parades Commission IRA front Residents Groups

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