Orange Victims Day 2026 remembers 344 murdered members and ensures narrative not 'rewritten' to suit killers

The event was held at the Museum of Orange Heritage, Schomberg House, East Belfast and was attended by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Junior Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland, Apprentice Boys of Derry, Royal Black Institution, Royal Arch Purple Chapter and the Independent Loyal Orange Institution.

Wreaths were laid at the Memorial Window and a Remembrance Service was conducted by Grand Chaplain Rev Dr Ron Johnstone.

Grand Master Harold Henning said: “The Orange Institution is committed to ensuring the murder of our members is never forgotten and that the legacy of the period known as ‘the Troubles’ is not rewritten to suit the narrative of those who inflicted so much suffering and pain on our community”.

The date chosen for Orange Victims Day holds a special significance.

On 1 September the IRA attacked Tullyvallen Orange Hall, murdering five members of Tullyvallen Guiding Star Temperance LOL 630. It was the largest loss of life inflicted on the Orange Family from a single incident during the terrorist campaign.

The majority of the 344 members who were murdered were serving members of the security forces, though many others were civilians.

Also marking the date, County Armagh Grand Orange Lodge dedicated a new memorial tablet to honour their murdered members, at Sloan’s House in Loughgall.

Fermanagh South Tyrone DUP MLA Deborah Erskine was one of many who marked the date on social media.

Recalling the 344 murders, she said: "Behind every name is a family devastated by Northern Ireland’s barbaric campaign of violence.

"Many were murdered while serving in the security forces, while others were targeted simply because of who they were and the community to which they belonged.

"Today, we remember them all. We think especially of their families and loved ones, who continue to carry the pain and scars of loss.

"There was always an alternative to the bomb and the bullet. The past must never be rewritten. We will remember them."

DUP Clogher Valley Councillor Mark Robinson said the 344 killed - aged 18-86 - made up almost 10% of all Troubles deaths.

"Nearly half of our murdered members were serving, or had served, with the UDR while a quarter were current or former members of the RUC," he said.

"Over 600 children were bereaved as a result of losing a parent who was a member of the Orange Institution.

"In addition to those murdered, many hundreds of our members have suffered life-changing physical, mental and emotional injuries as a direct consequence of the terrorist campaign."

TUV Newry and Armagh Assembly candidate Councillor Keith Ratcliffe said: “At a time when there are growing attempts to rewrite the past it is more important than ever to preserve the memory of those who sacrificed everything for the freedoms we enjoy.”

(1st) Service at Dromore Orange Hall 7.30pm; Service – Rathfriland Square 7pm; Kilkeel Parade & Service – Leaving Mourne Esplanade at 8.00pm; Newry District Service – R L Mitchell Memorial Orange Hall 7.30pm; Holywood District Parade & Service – Spafield car park at 7.30pm. Service at War Memorial.

5 September, Newtownards Orange Hall at 10.30am, followed by parade.

6 September – Parade & Service leaving Bangor Orange Hall at 2pm; Parade and Service leaving Hillsborough Orange Hall at 3.15pm.

8 September – Parade & Service leaving Newcastle Orange Hall at 7pm.

On Sunday, Portadown Orange District LOL 1 will leave Carleton Street at 3pm and make its way to the war memorial for a short act of remembrance.