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Orangemen of Northern Ireland are joining forces with Irish
campaigners in the Republic in a fight to save the green grassy
slopes of the Boyne.
Both the Orange Order and the Independent Orange Order are
uniting again to combat proposals to build a waste incinerator
on the site of King William's famous victory over James II
in 1690. The incinerator plan is also fiercely opposed by
Iocal Irish residents.
As the first step in their campaign, the two Orange orders
have taken their "Battle for the Boyne 2004" to
Paris, headquarters of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee.
In an unprecedented joint written submission they have urged
UNESCO to extend the existing World Heritage Site at nearby
Newgrange to include the battlefield.
Commenting on the campaign, Robert Saulters, Grandmaster
of the Orange Order and George Dawson MLA, Grandmaster of
the Independent Order, said that while the Boyne battlefield
signified the division between Ireland's two traditions, both
sides were now united in their determination to protect the
site from further industrial development and to develop its
tourist potential.
"The Boyne is widely recognised on both sides of the
border as one of the most significant battles in modern European
history", said an Orange Order spokesman. "Apart
from Irish Catholics and Protestants, troops from more than
six other countries fought at the Boyne so it's only fitting
that the battle to save the site from development should have
an international dimension."
In their submission to UNESCO, both Orange Orders also call
on the Irish Government to boost the Boyne's worldwide tourist
potential.
The document submitted to Paris states: "The fact that
the Irish Government has placed a moratorium on its original,
publicly-stated plans to develop an interpretive centre on
the site raises important questions in relation to their commitment
to a unique and healing relationship being developed between
the Orange tradition and the Irish Nation."
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