The Glorious 12th of July

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Some exciting news ahead of the upcoming cultural celebrations.

Museum opening marks ‘new dawn for Orangeism’
Monday, June 22, 2015

An exciting new chapter in the history of the Orange Institution begins today as a major interpretative centre opens its doors in east Belfast.

Marking the commencement of an unprecedented outreach project for the Loyal Order, the Museum of Orange Heritage will welcome its first visitors from this morning (MON).

Extensive redevelopment work has been ongoing at the Institution’s Cregagh Road headquarters since early last year and its completion represents the largest and most ambitious venture ever undertaken by the Order.

The impressive Belfast facility aims to promote shared space and greater levels of reconciliation through education, and is a joint project with the refurbished Sloan’s House in Loughgall, Co Armagh, which opens separately next week.

Both facilities are part of the REACH Project (Reaching out through Education and Cultural Heritage) which received £3.6 million from the EU’s PEACE III Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

Visitors to the state-of-the-art building will be able to view a wealth of items and artefacts in the possession of the Institution, and avail of superb interactive and audio visual technologies to learn more about the history of Orangeism, and its worldwide appeal, from the Glorious Revolution to the present day.

Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson, said the new interpretative centre at Schomberg House symbolised an “exciting new dawn for Orangeism”.

He said: “Today is a truly iconic, historic and landmark moment for the Orange Institution, representing a shift change in our outreach to the wider community.

“The Orange tradition has a story to tell and it is fantastic to be able to share and showcase our heritage to a large audience, through the means of a modern interpretative centre. Such a facility has never before been available anywhere in the British Isles, and we are immensely proud of our product.

“We believe our museum will be a truly outstanding educational and historical resource, and look forward to welcoming visitors from all walks of life and from across the world, such has been the sense of anticipation ahead of the completion of this project.”

The Museum of Orange Heritage in Belfast will be open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm (normally closed on Mondays). The centre will also open late on Thursdays, til 8pm. Admission for adults will be ÂŁ4.50, children ÂŁ2, and those under 10 can avail of free access. Special group rates will also be available. The official opening of the new museum is due to take place on Wednesday 24 June.

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FFS, this is the equivalent of Germany opening a Nazi museum.

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Fivemiletown sounds like the place to be tomorrow

Orangemen will be running as well as walking at the Twelfth in Fivemiletown when they take part in the “Fastest Orangeman in the West Race”.

Members of the Institution will be “on their marks” on Monday before they go head-to-head in 30 metre sprints – dressed in full regalia, including bowler hats and collarettes.

Although prizes are on offer, competitors in junior, veteran and open categories will primarily be racing for pride and the acclaim of the field.

A Commonwealth Games athlete is expected to be among the contenders being put through their paces.

Table tennis ace Ashley Robinson, 22, represented Northern Ireland at the Games in Scotland in 2014.

It is not yet clear whether his training regime will transfer to the track but insiders have made the Clogher man an early favourite.

District Secretary Ian McClung said the event was an opportunity to show that the Twelfth is not just about traditional activities like bonfires and marching.

“The short race is very much a light-hearted affair and we invite as many as possible to participate, so please come prepared to take part; it promises to be an event not to be missed.”

The Twelfth in Fivemiletown will be a cross-border affair, with Orange brethren from Co Monaghan joining with approximately 25 lodges from two districts – Fivemiletown and Annahoe – and a similar number of bands for the close-knit Tyrone demonstration.

It is traditionally one of the smallest demonstrations in the Province and is known for its family-friendly atmosphere – in fact, sixty local businesses have supported the production of a book called “The Family Twelfth” featuring articles from local lodges.

The Orange races are scheduled to start at 3.30pm, beside the platform, after the formal proceedings have concluded.

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Enjoy the day tomorrow lads, anyone know can I get BBC Northern Ireland someway, would love to watch the parades tommorrw

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Nice to see an a horse trained on the banks of the Boyne beat William of Orange at York yesterday.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qim4wH09W8

savage atmosphere, cracking tunes

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Sledge, Galliamh, Shannonsider…this thread makes me sad

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Tom Elliott M.P. must be absolutely insufferable today. His own county Fermanagh in absolute flying form and then some of his constituents – managed by a man who promotes and upholds the same moral values that Tom holds dear – winning through as well. And just to ice the cake who were the visitors to that county at the weekend only the scene of the magnificent events that we celebrate this weekend. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if Tom won the big event in Fivemiletown today such is the roll he’s on.

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The shock from English people when they learn these sectarian marches are still taking place is almost laughable… They’ve only been going 300 years now.

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10.35 on BBC 1 tonight - the usual highlights package of the day’s cultural celebrations.

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Lovely touch by the Moygashel brethren yesterday to place an effigy of Elliott’s defeated election opponent Michelle Gildernew on their bonfire and perform a ceremonial hanging of it before the actual fire. An amusing gesture and I’m sure Ms. Gildernew will take it in the spirit it was intended.

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Do you think they will highlight all the racist, sectarian and homophobic slogans on show in the lead up to the glorious day?

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Picture of a toddler at the parade in Belfast on the news there. Wearing a bib emblazoned with “50% Mum. 50% Dad. 100% Prod.”

:laughing:

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Looking forward now to 10.35 immensely. It sounded like quite a family day out. It appears that there was a few impassioned speeches as well, sensibly covering such important matters as the unfortunate bakers who were prosecuted when they were unable to fulfil an order after running out of caster sugar, the misguided actions of Scots (who were thankfully routed last September) and the continuing ongoing attack on faith and culture. Then we have the sporting angle out in Fivemiletown to look forward to as well.

I understand King Billy himself was to be present at two of the demonstrations.

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Helen Mark will be presenting the highlights on BBC Northern Ireland at 22:40, I can’t wait

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Keep an eye out for Drumderg Loyalists FB, Keady, Co. Armagh those boys know their stuff

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Seeing as King William was a sodomite should the Orange Order not be called the Brown Order?

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The only reason I put up with their insufferable shite is because the amount of shite that comes from the other side is justvas insufferable. I’m just loking forward to the 2070 AIHF when Celtic will bate rangers after a replay in the new GAA hq Fitswindsor Park

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RTE News (when they finally get around to it) this evening focussed on some disgruntled residents and on some unfortunate violence which they attributed to brethern and endeavoured to exonerate local residents. Quelle surprise.

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The Twelfth on UTV is a much better production.

Good to see the brethern in South Armagh in Bessbrook for the first time in eleven years.