Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Will they all still love the Orange Order until the Twelfth of Never?
Monday, 13 July 2009
More pictures
The Orange Order is changing its tune at last.
Whatever controversy or tensions the Twelfth stirs in some corners of Northern Ireland, there is a bigger picture emerging which we cannot ignore. An ultra-conservative organisation steeped in age-old tradition is starting to adjust to the modern world.
‘The sash my father wore’ may still tug many Protestant heart-strings but if the sons of the fathers do not follow in their footsteps, then the Orange Order has a big problem.
No organisation can afford to stand still in the modern world. The churches have found that out to their cost. So also have businesses and institutions in every walk of life which have failed to adjust to today’s demands and to attract a new generation of customers or members.
The Twelfth fortnight signals a nationalist exodus from Northern Ireland but what may be overlooked are the numbers of unionists who find other distractions at home and abroad these days.
The better off they are, the more educated they become, the less younger unionists may think of marching on the Twelfth or having anything to do with the celebrations of King William’s victory, no matter how glorious, pious and immortal their parents and grandparents thought of it.
The Orange Order in celebrating the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 has another battle to fight in 2009 to ensure that its columns of marchers do not dwindle away with time and that its annual parades do not lose spectator appeal. Hence the concept of Orangefest with Belfast city centre shops and stores opening for the first time.
Orangemen in rural counties such as Tyrone and Armagh have pioneered the idea of extending the remit of the Twelfth with a wider array of events.
I think those behind the changes should be commended and the Order should be encouraged to walk down this road in future rather than along some of the more contentious routes it still insists on trodding.
Flying back to Belfast the other day, I was thumbing through the easyJet passenger magazine with its listings of European city destinations. Who would have believed even five years ago that the Twelfth would be included in Belfast’s ‘attractions’? It is this year and I hope the inclusion in the airline’s magazine is a foretaste of more peaceful and pleasurable Julys ahead for visitors and locals alike.
The Orange Order has taken a lot of stick in the media over the years and it is still playing catch-up to the Apprentice Boys of Derry who have forged improved community relations with the Maiden City in recent years in relation to the August parade around the ancient walls.
In contrast, the Orangemen’s bogey remains Drumcree. The Order’s leaders should not allow themselves to be obsessed to the point of intransigence over whether they can cross this bridge or march down that road when there is a much greater challenge staring them in the face — namely to make their organisation fit for purpose in the 21st century.
The Twelfth has the potential to be a great tourist brand which could bring additional benefits to the local economy. In that respect, July 13, 2009 is a test for the Orangemen and the community in general.
After today we may know if the Orange Order has turned a corner for the better. Some people may wish away the Twelfth — or St Patrick’s Day — but that will not happen. What we need are imaginative ways and means of enhancing community enjoyment of these historic dates in our calendar.
The Orangefest is a step in the right direction. We need to leave behind the Julys of confrontation and, if we can, perhaps future Twelfths will be promoted in not just one airline’s travel guide but in many other international tourist brochures.
- Text Size
Comments
26 Comments
Dear S Mack, There are families of NI who are non-Catholic and/or 'Protestant,' who are from old old Gaelic or Celtic families, not Cromwell's 'invaders,' not English, weren't 'transplanted.' And there are supposed 'settlers' families who have never raised a hand or a gun for that matter to anyone, are friends/lovers/spouses with whom they wish based on the content of their character, and are respectful of others' religions and communities.
NI 'Protestants' may or may not be part of the OO, may or may not march, or go to Orangefest, may or may not be perfect people, but as long as they are respectful and peaceful should not be threatened. I'm sure you are a well-meaning person at heart, and I don't think you are really proposing to somehow round up and transport people/families out of NI by force.
The better solution is to keep working toward tolerance, nonviolence and peace. Sure, it's not perfect, but O'fest is at least a step in a better direction.
Posted by Michelle | 01.08.09, 05:54 GMT
you are having a laugh orangefest what next tea after sunday service with an invite to the local parish priests lets not be kidded any more about the oo they are and have always been an anti catholic fraternity not allowed to go to any catholic services
a christian brotherhood if they read the scriptures as they say they do one of our lords commandements is love thy neighbour or is that just ther protestant neighbour
we would not let the ku klux klan walk our streets
so why allow this band of bigots to fill our streets with there bigoted bile the say they have been doing it for many many years but for many many years has it been right
Posted by alex | 23.07.09, 15:26 GMT
I see a common theme among these posts;
100% of irish/catholics think the OO is wrong
50% of unionists think the OO is wrong
The other half seem to have a deluded idea the OO and the 12th is on par with St.Paddys.....it's either pure ignorance or stupidity.
A few foreigners even think the OO is wrong
You don't see protesters out on St.Paddys with the slogan - 'Stop Sectarian Marches'. You don't see the irish burning any of the many unionist flags.
Celebrating st.paddys is for every1, not just catholics - although I fully understand why unionists either don't want to or feel uneasy. I know many middle class protestants that love st.paddys day, especially in other countries - they see themselves as fully irish.
The OO has to go, I feel no amount of change will ever give it an intercommunity title. Its very base is anticatholic and perhaps some on this comment page who support the OO know deep down it's time is at an end.
Posted by Common sense | 21.07.09, 21:01 GMT
The Orange Order is not changing. It is trying to hoodwink people by organising things like Orangefest. The basic nature of the organisation is vile triumphalist sectarianism. It can never be a truly inclusive event if it annually celebrates the defeat of one community over the other. You have to witness the repulsive swagger of the marchers, the unmelodic tunes, the manifestations of anti-catholicism when the bands pass Catholic Churches. I am orginally from South Armagh but would never ever go back to the cesspit of Northern Ireland. Both sides disgust me profoundly. I was horrified by the murderous Provisionals and Loyalist terrorists.
Posted by Patrick Murphy | 21.07.09, 18:28 GMT
I live in the US and have been reading several books about Irish history. My understanding is that in the past the Orange Order had close ties with the Ulster Unionist party and was extremely anti-Catholic.
My question is: has this changed in recent years, and if so to what extent?
Posted by Sydney | 21.07.09, 02:47 GMT
In any society citizens should have the right to march but in no society should they have an absolute right to march. The OO want the right to march anywhere at any time and in whatever fashion. They won’t accept that the authorities may need to limit their right sometimes. The London Lord Mayors show or the Notting hill Carnival are major marching events but the organisers accept that the authorities may need to change the date or alter the route. They don’t refuse to cooperate and then bring the country to a stand still. Taxi drivers murdered and children burned to death in their beds. The OO need to accept that they have the same rights anybody else not more!!
Posted by seamas | 18.07.09, 07:46 GMT
@All:
The story in today's BT tells the whole story. The oo will only talk to SF after they apologise for all the orangeman murdered. As long as there is no recognition of evil deeds done by both sides there is no hope for ni and nothing will really change!
Posted by jan | 18.07.09, 00:32 GMT
The Twelfth will never inclusive in its present form. It will die along with the aging Orange Order and the hatreds that have fuelled it for many years. Just as Sinn Fein and the DUP will eventually be pushed aside by real politicians, and NI will take a brave step into the modern world. Only then, when the Twelfth ceases to be related to point scoring and lines in the sand, can it be resuurected as something positive. Like or not, there is an inherent sectarian meaning to the Twelfth, ask any Catholic who grew up in a protestant town, and until that meaning is forgotten, the Twelfth will remain divisive. Only when the meaning is forgotten, can it be ressurrected as something else.
Posted by Gone, gone, gone | 17.07.09, 16:19 GMT
@ Steve: I remember the burning of flags and popes in effigy preceeded the troubles. And remember: british troops had to be brought in to protect the catholics!
Posted by Jan | 17.07.09, 00:02 GMT
Just to be clear the Republics anthem certainly does not say:
"Soldiers are we we fight for victory" The First line is:
Sinne Fianna Fáil, atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Soldiers are we, who's lives are pledged to Ireland.
Hardly a bad line for Irish people to sing. I believed unionists are fond of Ireland too?
In a supposedly civilised country to allow the burning of a neighbouring countries flag is a disgrace.
Posted by Éamonn | 16.07.09, 17:05 GMT
Gerald
Anthems globally are filled with such sentiment. The French (arguably the world's most civilized people)"Marseillaises" speaks of tilling the soil with the blood of the aristocrats.
"Germany Over All" was cynically and deliberately misinterpreted by some to mean assertions of superiority. What was meant in fact was "put Germany first in your life". There are many other examples.
Fancy, I'm "talking " with an Orangeman !!
There's hope for us all yet. England watch out !
slan go foill.
Posted by Evergreen | 16.07.09, 10:00 GMT
In answer to YIP re bigoted songs etc. What about the republic's anthem " Soldiers are we we fight for victory". Who and why are they fighting. Instead of always looking for reasons and perceived grievances for advancing bigotry and hatred why not work towards respect and tolerance. As an Orangeman of many years I have valued Catholic friends where we enjoy each other's company as equals.At the end of the day there is probably more that unites us rather than divisive issues. TALK TO EACH OTHER.
Posted by Gerald. | 15.07.09, 19:33 GMT
The parades are getting smaller, the participants older but unfortunately none the wiser. Fresh faces were hard to spot in the dwindling ranks. Young people want nothing to do with it anymore, they've more interesting things to do and a life to lead. Give it time, the Order is heading for extinction. They say your judged by the company you keep and most lodges are lead by drunk paramilitary thugs with drums and flutes, and that's why very few these days want anything to do with them.
Posted by William | 15.07.09, 12:55 GMT
Its always been the same in this country, i get a laugh from nationalists who say they don't accept the Orange Order - likewise us prods don't accept the RC church or the GAA - when the RC church deals properly with its victims & GAA drop their club names & flying the flag of a foreign country then we'll think about it - this said very much tongue in cheek - "each" side always thinks they're right.
Posted by Stephen | 15.07.09, 11:55 GMT
S Mack - England, you hit the nail smack on the head !!
Posted by Evergreen | 14.07.09, 23:59 GMT
Question - is the Belfast Telegraph supposedly a balanced newspaper?
Or should i assume that it has a strong unionist slant? Presumably this is the paper's direction, and carried out by the Editor etc.
With having such non-balanced / unionist-biased "journalists" in Ed Curran and Gail Walker and a lack of counter-balancing nationalist journalists it is quite clear on a daily basis the ethos of the paper.
I this bais from the Irish News or Newsletter, but thought the BT was neutral / balanced.
Posted by SM | 14.07.09, 21:33 GMT
I think the ball's very much on the OO's court to show it is not sectarian and anti-Catholic and serious about being part of the 21st century. A cartoon orangeman will not do the job, they need to actively distance themselves from bigoted songs, anti-Catholic rhetoric, an obsession with traditional routes and a harking back to times long gone, paramiltary associations and loutish hangers-on.
They need to say it loud and clear and, so far, the slience is deafening. Or is that the drums ?
Posted by Yip | 14.07.09, 15:22 GMT
hmmmmm - your analogy about protestants being the black man cracks me up! Yeah, you were the ones who were marginalised & excluded from government! You were the ones who had to march for civil rights! You should be a comedian. Nationalists will tolerate the OO when the OO tolerates their right not to be intimidated and inconvenienced by blaring flutes, banging drums and loyalist paramilitary symbols outside their homes. I'm all for religious liberty but not at the expense of civil liberty...
Posted by Reality Check | 14.07.09, 12:55 GMT
I think the Orange Order has a long. long way to go before it is accepted by the Catholic community.
Posted by John Caughey | 14.07.09, 12:21 GMT
over half a million people participated in this event, over 50% of the protestant population. Curran should remember there is a difference between the actual state of the order and its supporters and how certain sections of the community might wish it to be. We are not going anywhere and like the segregationists in USA who couldn't stand seeing a black man on their patch, nationalist people will have to get used to equality and practise tolerance here too. Civil and Religious liberty for all.
Posted by hmmmmm | 14.07.09, 11:46 GMT
26 Comments