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A special Orange Lodge is being formed on the green grassy
slopes of the Boyne.
Boyne LOL 1690 is a 'limited purpose' lodge and will attract
members from the other 1200 lodges in the Grand Orange Lodge
of Ireland.
The warrant number 1690 was found to be dormant and with
Grand Lodge approval, it was issued to the new lodge which
will be instituted on the banks of the river on Saturday,
May 30, at 12.30pm.
The Orange Order has worked with authorities in the Drogheda
area to organise a parade to commemorate the historic occasion.
It will start on the southern side of the river, close to
the multi million pound Boyne Battlefield Site, developed
by the Government of the Irish Republic. Orangemen and bands
will parade across the river for a dedication service.
The Boyne Foundation owns four acres of land on the northern
side of the river, at a site used by King William's Army to
observe the Jacobite forces before the battle.
The new lodge will work with the Foundation in its objective
of rebuilding the Boyne Obelisk. The original obelisk was
a massive 170 feet tall and dominated the skyline for miles
around. It was erected in 1736, dedicated to those who died
at the Battle of the Boyne.
The obelisk was blown up in 1923, allegedly using dynamite
removed from an Irish Army camp.
The Deputy Master Elect of the new lodge, Jack Leetch, said:
"The Boyne is hallowed ground as far as the Orange Order
is concerned.
"We are delighted that we have been able to form a lodge
which is literally based on the riverbank. Our main aim is
to rebuild the obelisk which was erected in living memory
of the battle itself. We really think it will enhance the
tourist potential in the area and we have been heartened by
the local reaction.
"It is likely to cost a lot of money but we are determined
to succeed."
Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland Robert
Saulters said:
"The development by the Irish Government of the Boyne
Battlefield Site has been an important recognition of the
Protestant and Orange tradition in Ireland.
"Tourists from all over the world are flocking to the
site and I would certainly encourage everyone to visit it.
"Now that the Orange Order owns a small piece of land
on the other side of the river, I believe that anything we
do there will supplement all the good work already carried
out.
"Rebuilding the obelisk would be a wonderful achievement
and I believe it would certainly attract even more visitors
to the area."
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