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Approximately 25 members of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
attended the ceremony at the Boyne Battlefield, near Drogheda,
on Friday, May 11.
The Republic of Ireland's government is spending 30m Euros
developing the site as a tourist attraction.
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern showed the Northern Ireland First
Minister, Dr Ian Paisley around the site and explained that
the work would be complete next year.
The Grand Master of the Orange Order, Robert Saulters, said
the development of the site was an important acknowledgement
of Orange culture.
"The Battle of the Boyne was a very significant event
both in the terms of Irish, British and European history,"
he said.
"We have been working closely with officials of the
Irish Government throughout the development of the site. We
believe that it will become a major tourist attraction which
will give people a better understanding of our history.
"A lot of work has gone into the site already and when
completed next year it should be a first class attraction.
I would certainly encourage all members of the Orange Order
to visit the battlefield."
The Grand Secretary of the Orange Order, Drew Nelson, said
they had been calling for many years to have the site developed
and he welcomed the fact that it was now taking place.
"This is the flagship project of the Republic of Ireland's
Government towards recognition of British culture and tradition
in the Republic," he said.
"However we still believe that there is discrimination,
sectarianism and intimidation directed towards the Protestant
community in the border counties in the Republic.
"We are aware that two surveys currently being completed
by independent consultants will highlight these issues. We
hope that the development of the battlefield site and the
meeting between Dr Paisley and Bertie Ahern will help to create
the atmosphere which will enable the issues that are of concern
to Protestants to be addressed."
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