Dublin has a rich Orange tradition which continues to flourish
today. Dublin and Wicklow District meet monthly to promote
Protestantism in the city. It has a wide ranging membership
ranging from students to long serving members.
Last month, one new member successfully joined L.O.L. No.
1313 and there are more new candidates to be processed in
the future.
Meeting just outside the city centre, Dublin and Wicklow
has attracted students from Trinity College Dublin and the
other universities. Students on placement from Queen's University
Belfast and University of Ulster have also attended meetings.
Part of the success of Dublin and Wicklow is that it offers
affiliated membership allowing visiting brethren from Northern
Ireland to join.
Also, Orangemen who have moved to Dublin to work have enjoyed
meeting with the Dublin brethren. The number of people living
in Dublin from Northern Ireland and Scotland has increased
in recent years.
Dublin and Wicklow lodge welcomes any Orangemen who are now
living in Dublin to come along to the monthly meetings. Details
of meeting times can be sought from David Hume at "Schomberg
House".
With the number of evangelical churches on the increase,
Dublin and Wicklow hope to attract new members so that Protestantism
can be furthered in Dublin.
The other aspect of Orangeism which is alive and well in
Dublin is the historical. There are a number of historical
sites of interest which witness to the important role Orangeism
has played in Dublin.
The Bank of Ireland, situated beside Trinity College Dublin,
was formerly the Houses of Parliament for Ireland. This is
a key site of interest as it contains two famous pieces of
tapestry depicting the Siege of Londonderry and the Battle
of the Boyne. The work of Thomas Bailie, the two pieces hang
in the House of Lords which is open daily to the public.
Christ Church Cathedral bears testimony to the importance
of Orangeism. King William III after his victory at the Boyne
restored Protestantism at the Cathedral.
He replaced the Roman Catholic service of the Mass with the
Anglican service of the Lord's Supper. He presented the Cathedral
with a new Communion set to help the congregation remember
our Lord's death. This is now on display to the public.
The events of 1690 are also very much evident in St. Patrick's
Cathedral, the National Cathedral. The Lady Chapel, which
was used by Huguenots from 1666-1816, contains a high-backed
chair used by William III on July 6, 1690 when he came to
St. Patrick's to give thanks to God for his victory at the
Boyne. In the North Choir Aisle, there is a memorial to the
Duke of Schomberg, who advised William of Orange to come to
Ireland. The inscription on the black marble was written by
the famous writer Jonathon Swift, who was Dean of the Cathedral.
Finally, in the hustle and bustle of Dawson Street you will
find a Plaque marking the first meeting of the Grand Lodge
of Ireland April 9, 1798.
Dublin and Wicklow hopes not only to highlight the rich heritage
which we have but also to add to it in the future.
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