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The fifth annual Orange Heritage Week will take place from 21st – 28th of September.
Traditionally this is one of the highlights in the annual calendar of outreach events, however as we continue the recovery form Covid-19 events continue to take place under certain limitations.
A number of exciting events are planned for Orange Heritage Week.
The Museum of Orange Heritage at Schomberg House will stage a special late-night opening on Thursday, 23rd of September, to allow visitors to view the CentenNIal exhibition - ‘100 Years, 100 Images’ - which has proved very popular over the summer months.
The Museum at Sloan’s House, Loughgall, is also hosting a number of key events.
On Tuesday, 21st of September the Annual Diamond Day Lecture for the Friends of Sloan's House will take place. The speaker this year is Dr Jonathan Mattison, who will address guests on the Centenary of Northern Ireland.
Then on Saturday, 25th of September, Sloan’s House will host The Diamond Seminar. This is a unique all-day international academic conference focusing on Orange History, Heritage, Culture, Memorabilia and Diaspora.
Registration for both events is essential - please ring the museum on 028 3889 2048 to book. Covid-19 restrictions dictate that numbers attending will be limited.
Staying in County Armagh, Portadown Heritage Tours will host a series of events from its base in Carleton Street Orange Hall. This includes a series of talks around ‘The Orange Response to Home Rule – the stories of Portadown Orangemen and Orangewomen’.
A special family fun day will be held at Carleton Street Orange Hall on Saturday, 25th of September, from noon to 3pm.
Further details of the events planned by Portadown Heritage Tours can be found on the group’s Facebook page. Please note booking is essential for some events.
The Orange Heritage Week events are supported by a number of online resources, with a dedicated page on the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland website bringing the Orange Institution’s history, tradition and identity to a digital audience.
The web page, which includes audio and video presentations as well as information on artefacts and exhibitions which feature in the Museum of Orange Heritage, can be accessed by logging on to www.orangeheritage.co.uk/orangeheritageweek
The timing of Orange Heritage Week has historical and cultural relevance, commencing on the anniversary of the formation of the Institution in 1795. It will culminate on Ulster Day, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant by unionists in opposition to Home Rule in 1912.