Liberal tradition of the Orange Order

PEOPLE who compare the Orange Order to the Ku Klux Klan - as they have done in your correspondence columns recently - are 3,000 miles off course geographically and a million miles politically.

The Orange Order has on all its banners “Civil and Religious Freedom”. They represent Dutch liberalism inherited from the Orange state where the constitution of 1576 had clauses granting religious and economic freedom. Holland was founded on an ideology of liberty, the first global capitalist society, and a haven to all religions, particularly those persecuted in other countries. They founded New York, which fared well under Dutch liberalism.

The order runs fun-filled festivals that are supported by all and financially by our own Department of Foreign Affairs. The Apprentice Boys in Derry organise the Maiden City festival and the Schomberg Society in Kilkeel put on the Reivers festival.

Many bands from the South, as well as from overseas, take part. Orange lodges from the South organise their own festival in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal. A Catholic family provides the field and the gardaí provide security for this family day out. Those who objected to the order’s participation in the St Patrick’s Day parade in Cork should take a look at our flag and ask what does the orange colour stand for.

Stephen Fallon

Barrington Street

Limerick