Non Gamstop CasinoNon Gamstop CasinoNon Gamstop CasinoNon Gamstop CasinosNon Gamstop CasinosNon Gamstop Casinos
Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Press Statements

"Cherish All Of The Children Of The Nation Equally" (except Protestants of course)

17 February 2005

"It is with deep regret that the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has decided to withdraw from an invitation to take part in the forthcoming St Patrick's Day parade in Cork.

Since the invitation became public, representatives of Sinn Fein have mounted a vociferous and misleading media campaign claiming our attendance would be "offensive". As a result, the Orangemen and their families who had planned to go to Cork are no longer confident that their personal safety can be guaranteed by the authorities. We are also mindful that our presence could have become the focus of media attention and protest that might have detracted from the enjoyment of other participants and spectators.

We had been invited to send a small delegation which would have included a number of children to parade alongside Chinese, Filipino and African community groups in an event designed to recognise and celebrate cultural diversity. Those involved were greatly looking forward to their visit to the European Capital of Culture. Our presence would have been both appropriate to the occasion and dignified. It was never our intention to offend anyone.

It has become clear however that Sinn Fein/IRA is determined to use the invitation to the Orange Order as an excuse to try and divert public attention from their current political difficulties.

In doing so, they have once again reverted to mind-boggling hypocrisy. In 1916 the founding fathers of the Irish Republic proclaimed their intention "to cherish all of the children of the nation equally". By their words and actions over recent days, we now know that Sinn Fein - an organisation that frequently claims to support an Ireland of equals built on parity of esteem - has no intention of ever cherishing Ireland's Protestant children.

Last month President Mary McAleese publicly apologised for remarks about Protestants in Northern Ireland teaching their children to hate Roman Catholics. Perhaps the President might be better advised to direct any comments about ethnic prejudice to the members of Sinn Fein and others who have made it unsafe for us to attend the Cork parade.

We are extremely grateful to the festival organisers and the Lord Mayor of Cork for their support and encouragement over our proposed participation in the festival. We share their dismay that the city's reputation for friendliness and hospitality should have been tainted in this way by a handful of cultural fascists."

 

Back to Back ~ Recent ~ Press Home
Ref: 050217-cherish_all_of_the_children_of_the_nation

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
Schomberg House, 368 Cregagh Road, Belfast, BT6 9YE
T: +44 (0) 28 9070 1122 ~ F: +44 (0)28 9040 3700
Buy Online - the best way to buy

© Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland 2002-2006

Site Map

Web Design by www.truska.com