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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
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Lodge Is At Centre Of County Tyrone Village

Article 5 ~ September 2004

Factfile on Lodge
Name: Killen L.O.L. No. 1272
Founded: 1829
W.M. of Lodge: Leslie Forbes
Location: Killen, County Tyrone

Killen village is situated near Castlederg on the road leading south over Scraghy Mountain towards Fermanagh. A few fields to the west lies Co. Donegal, and an Orange witness has been maintained in the area since at least 1829.

The Lodge was first granted warrant number No. 1488, although this was changed to the present warrant sometime between 1875 and 1881. The Lodge became part of Killen District, joining seven other Lodges, and the first Worshipful Master was Brother Aubrey Caldwell, who held office from 1829 until 1856. Fifteen others have filled the office in the years to date.

There have been many historic dates throughout the history of the Lodge, and one which will long be remembered is the day in 1972 when the I.R.A. tried to blow up the centre of Killen village in a foiled bomb attempt. Wiliam was slightly shaken from his proud spot on the front wall of the hall, but still reigns supreme - a metaphor for the determination of Ulster Protestants to stand firm against terrorism.

Up until 1901 Lodge meetings took place in the home of the Master of the day, but the hall was erected in that year, and, a century later, extensive renovation and extension was carried out. Brother Isaac Smith relates that the event and the visit by the Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Robert Saulters, added another historical and unforgettable milestone to the Lodge history.

The hall not only accomodates the 40 plus membership of Killen L.O.L. No. 1272, but also the Lodge pipe band, R.B.P. No. 682 and Killen women's group, while on the last Friday of June each year the hall is the centre of attention in the village when the annual mini-Twelfth parade takes place.

Brother Bob Meehan, meanwhile, is the oldest member of the Lodge, having served for 70 years, while Brother Trevor McCain is the youngest. Lodge Worshipful Master is Leslie Forbes, with Robert Scott his Deputy Master, Jack Burke, Secretary, Tom Livingston, Treasurer, Isaac Smith, Chaplain and Ivan Clarke, Tyler.

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