LOL 76 LISAVAGUE

Well done lads. Great night for yourselves and the town. Best wishes going forward

A wonderful picture of Dan Winter’s Cottage, taken in the 1920s following renovations carried out by Rev. John Winter.

This image appeared on a postcard sold by J. A. Jackson, Merchant, Loughgall, at the building now known as Sloan’s House/Inn.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has sent the following letter to the Prime Minister, setting out our views on a number of important issues affecting Northern Ireland and its place within the United Kingdom.

Dear Prime Minister,

I write on behalf of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, the largest Unionist lobby group
in Northern Ireland.

Please accept my congratulations on your recent appointment as Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and my best wishes for the many and varied challenges the role brings.

One recent article I read said that you will not be able to please everyone, and while that
is true, we simply seek to inform your agenda to ‘bring back hope’ to the United
Kingdom. As a community we have been betrayed and let down over the years by
numerous Prime Ministers and all governing parties. You have stated that you will be a
leader for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Can we respectfully suggest
that process begins by listening to people’s genuine concerns and by addressing those
issues which weaken the Union.

As a result of Brexit and the subsequent Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland now finds
itself a semi-detached part of the United Kingdom. The Irish Sea Border, and the resulting
disruption to GB-NI trade hinders us playing a full role in the economic growth of the
United Kingdom. Worryingly, your predecessor stated that he believed an all-Ireland
economy was a good thing.

Rather than dismantling the Irish Sea border as promised, the government’s policy has
been to strengthen it. Northern Ireland has a key role to play in strengthening the UK
economy. In order to ensure Northern Ireland citizens enjoy the same rights as their
fellow citizens in Great Britain, the Irish Sea Border needs to be removed and should not
be used as a pawn in any further negotiations with Europe.

As an all-island body, we seek to have good relations with our neighbours in the Republic
of Ireland, however, matters such as outstanding legacy issues hinders such a relationship. For many years, the Republic was a safe haven for those who murdered and
bombed in the UK and beyond - a situation made worse by Dublin’s refusal to extradite
those involved. There remains a reluctance to share information with the UK about the
terrorist campaign or to acknowledge the role of the Irish state throughout those troubled
times.

Our government should seek to support the interests of our veterans from right across the
United Kingdom who served with honour and integrity to protect all our citizens from the
terrorist campaign waged on our nation.
Any future Legacy proposals should uphold the interests of innocent victims and give no
succour to the perpetrators of violence.

The Republic of Ireland must also be challenged about their policing of the Common
Travel Area which is a clear weakness in the security of the United Kingdom’s borders
and provides a ‘back door’ for illegal immigrants and terrorist suspects to enter the United
Kingdom. This is a key concern which urgently needs to be addressed.

Several of your stated political aspirations align with the views of many in the Orange
family - ‘helping high streets and backing local businesses’; supporting and valuing
‘vocational education’ and ‘reindustrialisation’, all resonate with our members.
We hope that representatives from Northern Ireland will be included in the planning of
such policies so that this part of the United Kingdom may benefit fully from their
implementation.

I appreciate that your party’s relationship with the SDLP may have previously informed
your view on the constitutional future of this part of the United Kingdom, and indeed on
the Orange Institution. However, we are keen to discuss a number of matters with your
new Secretary of State and would welcome an early meeting with him to explore how we
can work together to ensure a strong Northern Ireland in a strong United Kingdom.

We also cordially invite you to visit the Museum of Orange Heritage at our headquarters
in Belfast, where you will have an opportunity to learn more about the history and values
of our Institution and its members.
Yours Sincerely,

Most. Wor. Bro. Harold Henning
Grand Master
Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland

https://www.goli.org.uk/post/grand-master-writes-to-new-prime-minister-andy-burnham-mp

You watched the Co Armagh Twelfth parade in Newtownhamilton….why not be part of it next year in the County where the Institution was founded.

The banners, the bands, the colour, the history, the faith, the fellowship and the tradition all come together to make the Twelfth a day unlike any other.

If you stood along the route this year and enjoyed the atmosphere, perhaps it’s time to experience it as a member of the largest community based organisation in the County.

The Orange Institution welcomes those who wish to uphold its principles, preserve our heritage and become part of a tradition that has served communities for generations. Membership offers opportunities for friendship, personal development, community involvement and taking pride in our faith, history and culture.

Don’t just watch the parade—walk in it.

Join your local Orange Lodge today and make next year’s Twelfth one you’ll never forget.

Be part of the tradition. Be part of the fellowship. Be part of the future.

📩 If you’d like to find out more about membership, send us a message or email [email protected] - we’d be delighted to help.