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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  On Parade

A Study In Toleration

It is interesting to compare and contrast the attitude of people to given situations.

A number of Orange parades have for years been opposed by some who cannot tolerate a faith or culture that is not theirs.

The contrast with what happens in the predominantly Protestant town of Kilkeel could not be more extreme. Each year on St. Patrick's Day (17th March) and 15th August Nationalist Bands parade Kilkeel morning and evening.

Let us consider a few basic facts.

  • It is traditional to have these parades in Kilkeel.

BUT

  • None of the four bands participating in the parade are local.
  • Bands travel from up to four miles to parade Kilkeel before and after their main parade in other towns.
  • A triumphalist and aggressive crowd of "supporters" travel from a wide area to gather in the town centre.
  • These "supporters" have in recent years been involved in violent attacks on the Police and on Protestants trying to go about their normal business.
  • The parade route passes several Churches and is directly through an area that is at least 80% Protestant.
  • A huge security presence is required to police the parade through the town (It is estimated that as many personnel are required to put this parade through Kilkeel as are required to prevent Portadown Orangemen walking home from Church along the Garvaghy Road).
  • The parades disrupt the business and community life of the town for a number of hours.

Despite all the provocation the Protestants of Kilkeel have not reacted. Instead they have shown tolerance and respect for another community.

What a difference that is to Garvaghy Road, Ormeau Road, Bellaghy ....... the list goes on.

A recently established residents group in Kilkeel "Mourne Residents For Justice" spell it out very clearly when they say "The roads of Kilkeel like those in the rest of Ulster do not belong to anyone. Nationalists have a right to use them for their traditional parades. The same however has to be said for Orange parades".

Why do republicans not show the tolerance of the people of Kilkeel? Only those like Brendan McKenna and Gerrard Rice can provide the answer.

Isn't it time more people started to ask the question?

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