Brethren, Sisters, Friends and Special Guests
It gives me pleasure today to welcome President McAleese
to this Orange hall in County Cavan where I have the honour
of being County Grand Master. Before I begin I would like
to take this opportunity to thank the President and her husband
Martin McAleese for the support they have given to date for
the endeavours being undertaken by the Loyal Orange Institution
in the Republic of Ireland.
Halls like this one we are in today are held very dear by
the Orange Family.
Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community,
Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, recognised the important role
that Orange halls provide in society when he announced funding
for Cadolemo Ltd, which has been established by Orange Order
Lodges in Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim and Monaghan, to
support an innovative community-based initiative in the border
region. The funding, over a two year period, has allowed for
the employment of a Development Officer who is and will be
working with the various lodges and halls.
" The importance of this work in helping to build the
capacity of the Orange Family in the Republic of Ireland cannot
be underestimated. The Orange Institution has provided community
facilities such as this one since the late nineteenth century
and the importance of this network of halls and related facilities
throughout Northern Ireland and the border counties of the
Irish Republic cannot be underestimated.
" We are all aware of the important contribution that
the Institution and the wider Orange Family makes to society
- much of this from facilities such as these. This work -
raising substantial funds for local and national charities,
sponsoring adult learning and community based education, providing
venues for youth clubs, community groups, and religious meetings.
" Given the widespread nature of such activity it demonstrates
why when halls are damaged, attacked, destroyed or beyond
use for periods of time, the community activity of its related
hinterland suffers and is curtailed. Ironically, when such
tragedies occur it is a testament to the local community which
rely on these facilities that the buildings are often returned
to their former use as soon as possible. This hall has been
rebuilt after an arson attack and efforts are underway, thanks
to the support of the government to enhance the facilities
in other halls within the border counties.
" Some of the activities include - meetings of the Loyal
Orders, religious groups, youth clubs, senior citizens organisations,
bands, re-enactment societies, cookery clubs, social economy
projects, Ulster-Scots groups, cultural and history societies,
mother and toddler meetings, educational centres and the list
goes on. It is only right that an organisation born from the
people should be at the heart of so much vibrant activity.
The Institution and its facilities are part of, drivers of
and reflective of the vibrant and living cultural heritage
that is the Orange family in both the Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland.
As a responsible stakeholder in society in both the Republic
of Ireland and Northern Ireland the Loyal Orange Institution
wants to play its part in improving community relations. We
are a people proud of our history, our Faith and our cultural
heritage and want to play a part in helping people understand
our tradition and why it remains relevant in the modern World.
Henry Latimer
Grand Master
County Cavan Grand Orange Lodge
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