Loyal Orange Institution

The Orange Order is a fraternal organization that originated in Ulster and spread throughout the British Commonwealth. The Order is a Protestant pro-Royalist organization with a tradition of marches and parades.

The Order traces its roots back to the Battle of the Boyne fought in Ireland in the year 1690 between the Dutch Protestant King William of Orange and the Catholic King James II. This battle, won by King William's army consisting of Dutch, Danish, Huguenot, German, English, Scottish and Ulster-Scots Protestants was instrumental in ensuring the Protestant faith maintained dominance in northern Europe.

While various Orange Society's had been in existence since 1688, the Orange Order proper was formed in 1795 in the village of Loughall, Co. Armagh. Sectarian feuds between Ulster-Scots Protestants and Irish Catholics had been a regular feature of the previous decade with the Protestant 'Peep O Day Boys' and the Catholic 'Defenders' carrying out raids on each other.

Following the Battle of the Diamond near Loughall on September 21st, the victorious Protestants reorganized themselves into an Orange Society for their mutual protection. The Society was named after King William of Orange, whose victory at the Boyne in 1690 ensured the future of the Ulster-Scots Protestants in the north of Ireland.

The Orange Order grew into a 'Masonic style' organization and united Ulster-Scots Presbyterians with their Anglican landlords. A marching tradition emerged, with the various lodges holding annual parades, culminating each year with the 12th of July Battle of the Boyne commemoration parade.

The 'Twefth' celebrations involve large processions of Orangemen wearing Orange sashes and carrying Orange banners portraying biblical scenes and important historical events for the Ulster-Scots Protestants, accompanied by an array of bands ranging from brass, silver, Scottish pipes to the more militaristic flute bands.The 'Twefth' celebrations are very much a family affair, with streets lined with men, women and children out to enjoy the pageantry.

Controversy

Controversy has arisen due to the fact that while the Ulster-Scots see the Orange parades as part of their heritage and a celebration of their culture, many Irish Catholics view them as triumphalist and believe that only Gaelic Irish culture should be celebrated.

Orange parades generally follow a traditional route that sometimes has been used for up to 200 years. Demographic changes have occurred which in some cases mean these routes pass through areas in which Catholic's now reside (often due to IRA terrorist murders driving out the Ulster-Scots protestant population).

The most controversial parade of recent years has been the infamous 'Drumcree parade'. Sinn Fein/IRA put in place people to stir up resentment among the local Catholic population towards the Orange Order and have the annual Orange church parade stopped from proceeding through the mainly Catholic Garvaghy road on route to their church service.This has resulted in a stand off that has been on going for some years.

The fact that it is common knowledge that Sinn Fein/IRA are behind moves to stop the parade, coupled with the fact that the government of Catholic Southern Ireland have demanded the parade be stopped, has ensured the Orangemen are more determined than ever to proceed along their traditional route.

Sinn Fein/IRA propaganda has attempted to demonize the Orange Order overseas by comparing them to the Ku Klux Klan. This is laughable considering the fact that there are Native Indian Mohawk Orange Lodges in Ontario, Canada and African Lodges in countries such as Togo.

It is the belief of Sinn Fein/IRA that if the Ulster-Scots Protestant culture can be eroded, then the transition into a Catholic United Ireland will be all the easier.

Scotland

Scotland has the largest number of Orangemen outside of Ulster with about 300 Lodges and a total membership of 20,000. Orangeism was first introduced to Scotland through a military Lodge in 1798 and has steadily maintained an Orange band tradition. The success of the Order in Scotland is no surprise given the proximity of Scotland to Ulster and the steady flow of peoples between the two countries. There is regular participation by Scottish lodges and bands in Northern Ireland Orange parades and vise versa.

Canada

Canada is the country with the largest membership of the Orange Order outside of Ulster and Scotland. Growth of the Order in Canada was rapid. It was first introduced to Nova Scotia in the form of a military Lodge in 1799 and from there expanded throughout British-America.

Many of Canada's early pioneers were Orangemen, with Lodges forming throughout the farmlands of Ontario, the fishing towns of Newfoundland, the prairies of Alberta, Saskatchewan , Manitoba and the lumber towns of British Columbia.

In 1866 a force of Irish-American fenians led by Colonel John O'Neill invaded Canada with the aim of persuading Britain to abandon Ireland. The Orange Order formed the backbone of the militia who forced O' Neill's fenians to retreat back over the border.

In Canada Orangeism was especially influential, with approximately one quarter of the country's Protestant male population belonging to the Order by the start of World War 1 (80,000 Canadian Orangemen fought in the war).

While the Order is much smaller today, it is still well organized and publishes a monthly newspaper in addition to maintaining charitable accommodation for senior citizens.

Australia

The Orange Order was introduced to Australia through a military Lodge in 1830. Lodges were formed first in Sydney and then Melbourne.

The first Orange parades were held in 1848 and resulted in clashes with the Irish Catholic population who were traditional foes of the Protestant Ulster-Scots. These clashes were a regular feature for a good many years.

By 1854 the Order spread to Adelaide in South Australia and the following year the first Lodge was formed in Queensland. Perth in Western Australia did not form its first Lodge until 1886.

The Orange Order in Australia today is organized in each state and maintains homes for the elderly and disabled in both New South Wales and Victoria.

New Zealand

The Orange Order was introduced to Auckland in 1842 and ran into immediate intimidation from the local Irish Catholic population, but the growth of the Order in New Zealand was not to be deterred and soon spread to the south island.

It was not until 1908 that the two islands united to form the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

The Loyal Orange Institution also exists in England, USA and West Africa.