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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Orange Standard

South Carolina Visitors Hear Of Twelfth Potential

Article 4 ~ December 2003

Two visitors from South Carolina have been hearing of the potential of cultural tourism involving the Orange tradition in Northern Ireland.

Senior officials from York County's tourism and heritage departments met with Orange Director of Services Dr. David Hume at Schomberg House recently.

Sam Thomas, representing the Historical Commission of York County, is also a historian of statewide renown and author of a number of books on the American Civil War period. He was also a historical adviser for the film The Patriot, which starred Mel Gibson.

Bennish Brown, who is the tourism manager of York County, has already visited Northern Ireland on a number of occasions. This, however, was his first encounter with Orangeism.

Both men were greatly impressed with the facilities and the museum at Schomberg House. Discussions with them centred on the prospect for American tourists visiting the Twelfth festivals as part of a trip to Northern Ireland, as well as the unique research facilities which are available at Schomberg House.

The visitors were also taken to visit Clifton Street Orange Hall, where they were met by the Belfast County Grand Master, Dawson Bailie, and curator Roy Martin, and shown artefacts from Orange history as well as several Lodge rooms. They were also presented with Lodge ties by Clifton Street officials and were highly impressed with the hall.

Dr. David Hume said that the tourist potential of the Twelfth as part of a package for US visitors was stressed.

"We would like to see the Twelfth become a major tourist attraction and this visit saw considerable interest in such a proposal from our American guests," he said.

"There is also the clear possibility of a cultural tourism package for visitors from the US whose ancestors were from Ulster," he added.

The American group were in Northern Ireland as part of a delegation visiting Larne, which is twinned with York County.

The Orange Order's Director of Services was involved with the twinning and is an honorary citizen of the town of Clover in South Carolina. He said that he hoped Orangemen in Larne would be keen to invite residents of York County to visit them next July, when they host the East Antrim Combine demonstration through the town.

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