Surging membership of junior Orange Order seen in parades in Donaghadee and Bangor, says order
A surging membership in junior Orange lodges saw 2,000 children parading in Donaghadee over the weekend – with the number of spectators who came out to watch even more spectacular, a leading Orangeman has said.
Joseph Magill, grand master of the Junior Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, was speaking after the Co Down Junior Grand Orange parade in Donaghadee on Saturday.
A similar sized parade of the Co Armagh Junior Orange Lodge took place in Bangor at the same time.
Mr Magill said that some 2,000 young members of the Orange Order paraded through Donaghadee with 17 bands.
“Co Down has been seeing an increase in numbers of members over the past number of years, and it is still growing year on year. And the parade obviously reflected that as well,” he told the News Letter.
“We were particularly pleased to welcome the three girls' lodges who were on parade from across Co Down down as well.”
He added: “Donaghadee was absolutely packed with spectators. It was really surprising how many were there. It was almost reflective of the crowds that turned out for our centenary celebrations in Lisburn last year.”
The Co Down Young Orange Lodge parade rotates around the different towns of Co Down each year.
“As always, it was a very good day. Everybody enjoyed themselves and there was a lot of entertainment for the boys, members, and girls' lodges,” Mr Magill added.
The parade started at noon at the Commons with a two-hour break for lunch and ended at 4.30pm, at Donaghadee Rugby Club car park.
Speaking about the day, Donaghadee Junior Orange Lodge said: “Where do we start. What a fantastic day for Co Down Junior Orange in our home town. The morning started at our hall when we dedicated our new sashes making us the first junior lodge with sashes in Junior Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.”
The lodge thanked Donaghadee Flutes & Drums band, which presented them with a bass drum in memory of their founding superintendent, Noel Weir.
It was “a beautiful, very thoughtful gesture that was very much appreciated by all” they added.
“It was also a great pleasure to be able to host such a successful day with JLOL 68 Portavogie. And it was brilliant to see so many people around the town supporting the juniors lodges from across Co Down.”
North Down MLA Stephen Dunne congratulated the lodge for hosting an “excellent” parade, “with visitors from across the county taking part".
The Co Armagh Junior Orange Lodge parade in Bangor was only slightly smaller, with around 1,750 participants and 16 bands.
It began at 11.30am at Castle Park and broke for lunch at 12.30 until 3.30pm, finishing at 4.30pm at Castle Park Grounds.
“Again, it was a great day, and a lot of fun for the young people involved. It was only slightly smaller, probably around 1,750 taking part, but again a very good day for everyone who was there,” Mr Magill said.
The Co Armagh parade traditionally takes place in Bangor each year and does not rotate around as much, he added.
“Boys lodges from across the three districts in Co Armagh all took part, as well as a number of girls' lodges,” he added.