Post by Wasp on Oct 21, 2010 22:12:58 GMT
Apprentice Boys 'Talk' dispels many myths . .
Published Date: 19 October 2010
By Staff reporter
During three nights last week, a series of government funded talks relating to the role of the Orange Order, the GAA and the Apprentice Boys of Derry were held at three separate venues, Killybegs, Dunkineely and Inver.
Last Thursday night in the Doorin Orange Hall Inver, an audience of over 40 sat enthralled asthey quietly digested the interesting historical talks from Billy Stewart, past President of the Derry ‘No Surrender Club’ and current member of the ‘Apprentice
Boys of Derry’ and Norman Henry on the history and community works of the Orange Order and its role in local communities.
Mr Stewart’s talk featured the 1641 massacres, the Apprentice Boys from its inception at the Siege of Derry in 1688 right up to the present day, and the rise of William of Orange the Third, who was actually a Frenchman. He said the Battle of the Boyne was not about Roman Catholics or the Protestant cause but against the Bourbon Absolutists and for the freedom of Europe, with Ireland chosen as the staging ground.
“Pope Alexander V111 was William’s ally, who had quite a number of Roman Catholics in his ranks, and ironically the army of King James had a lot of Protestant support from Dublin.” These facts drew sighs of confusion as a number of the audience made reference to the fact that obviously they had been taught at school, a different historical verison of that particular period.
“With Derry preparing for the ‘City of Culture’ in over two years time, the society’s ‘Memorial Hall Museum’ is currently working in tandem with the Bogside’s ‘Free Derry Museum’ group on a number of tourism based projects, which no doubt will be in everyone’s interest,” said Mr Stewart.
He retiterated that although the Apprentice Boys are totally Protestant based, a large number of their projects are open to all religious beliefs. “We also work with the Derry business community on city promotions, and indeed the attendances at our Memorial Hall daily dances would be 90% Roman Catholic,” concluded Mr Stewart.
While Mr Stewart’s historical talk appeared quite balanced, certain areas of it drew words of consternation from some members of the audience and they alluded to the fact that there is a ‘divide’ between certain communities and false publication by press and authorities.
Norman Henry’s talk on the Orange Order and its structure, with 1174 Lodges and 125 Districts in this country, excluding Northern Ireland, Monaghan, Donegal and Wicklow featured. “In fact the only Orange Parade in the Republic has been held annually, only in Rossnowlagh ( usually on the Saturday prior to the 12th July). While also, the Order is Protestant based, the Donegal branch is totally non political, and among its many charitable works are fundraising efforts towards cancer research, funding for African missions and other local causes. All we ask is to be allowed to celebrate our culture and our traditions,” said Mr Henry.
Independent Cllr Thomas Pringle who was present said, “The evening was interesting but more work needs to be done and obviously a greater understanding of the Apprentice Boys and the Orange Order, who are exclusive organisations.
We need to get to a position when these groups accepts other religious groupings.”
The final words of the evening should be left to Mountcharles man David Graham, who mentioned the fact that his neighbours who are of a different religious persuasion, are exceptionally kind and on occasions regularly tend his livestock when he attends various parades and meetings. “We need to understand people and ourselves better,” concluded David.
Published Date: 19 October 2010
By Staff reporter
During three nights last week, a series of government funded talks relating to the role of the Orange Order, the GAA and the Apprentice Boys of Derry were held at three separate venues, Killybegs, Dunkineely and Inver.
Last Thursday night in the Doorin Orange Hall Inver, an audience of over 40 sat enthralled asthey quietly digested the interesting historical talks from Billy Stewart, past President of the Derry ‘No Surrender Club’ and current member of the ‘Apprentice
Boys of Derry’ and Norman Henry on the history and community works of the Orange Order and its role in local communities.
Mr Stewart’s talk featured the 1641 massacres, the Apprentice Boys from its inception at the Siege of Derry in 1688 right up to the present day, and the rise of William of Orange the Third, who was actually a Frenchman. He said the Battle of the Boyne was not about Roman Catholics or the Protestant cause but against the Bourbon Absolutists and for the freedom of Europe, with Ireland chosen as the staging ground.
“Pope Alexander V111 was William’s ally, who had quite a number of Roman Catholics in his ranks, and ironically the army of King James had a lot of Protestant support from Dublin.” These facts drew sighs of confusion as a number of the audience made reference to the fact that obviously they had been taught at school, a different historical verison of that particular period.
“With Derry preparing for the ‘City of Culture’ in over two years time, the society’s ‘Memorial Hall Museum’ is currently working in tandem with the Bogside’s ‘Free Derry Museum’ group on a number of tourism based projects, which no doubt will be in everyone’s interest,” said Mr Stewart.
He retiterated that although the Apprentice Boys are totally Protestant based, a large number of their projects are open to all religious beliefs. “We also work with the Derry business community on city promotions, and indeed the attendances at our Memorial Hall daily dances would be 90% Roman Catholic,” concluded Mr Stewart.
While Mr Stewart’s historical talk appeared quite balanced, certain areas of it drew words of consternation from some members of the audience and they alluded to the fact that there is a ‘divide’ between certain communities and false publication by press and authorities.
Norman Henry’s talk on the Orange Order and its structure, with 1174 Lodges and 125 Districts in this country, excluding Northern Ireland, Monaghan, Donegal and Wicklow featured. “In fact the only Orange Parade in the Republic has been held annually, only in Rossnowlagh ( usually on the Saturday prior to the 12th July). While also, the Order is Protestant based, the Donegal branch is totally non political, and among its many charitable works are fundraising efforts towards cancer research, funding for African missions and other local causes. All we ask is to be allowed to celebrate our culture and our traditions,” said Mr Henry.
Independent Cllr Thomas Pringle who was present said, “The evening was interesting but more work needs to be done and obviously a greater understanding of the Apprentice Boys and the Orange Order, who are exclusive organisations.
We need to get to a position when these groups accepts other religious groupings.”
The final words of the evening should be left to Mountcharles man David Graham, who mentioned the fact that his neighbours who are of a different religious persuasion, are exceptionally kind and on occasions regularly tend his livestock when he attends various parades and meetings. “We need to understand people and ourselves better,” concluded David.