McNeillstown True Blues ILOL No. 46

Welcome to our site and we hope you learn about us and why we exist. Its also a great way to keep in touch with friends and family across the globe and to promote the message and protect the values we stand for.

The site, like our lodge was created to secure and share our Protestant Faith as found in the Bible, to celebrate and commemorate the history of the Reformation, and Orangeism, and to preserve and promote our rich Ulster Scots culture within a British and Unionist context. 

Our banner symbolizes much of what we stand for and celebrate. Like Regimental Colours it represents the spirit of the  lodge, is an instantly recognisable symbol and rallying point. The colours, images and mottoes all have a deep and historical significance and one which we will explore throughout the site. Just as our banner seeks to represent our lodge, to explain what we are about to those who watch us parade, we hope this site will do the same online. 

 

McNeillstown True Blues Orange Lodge has been marching behind its banner since being formed in 1823. After the formation of the Independent Orange Institution in 1903, McNeillstown along with the entire Portglenone District resigned its warrant and was reconstituted as Independent lodge number 46. 

 

Our VISION for the Future

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Our vision for our lodge and for the site is best defined by the wider Vision of the Independent Orange Institution.

  “The Independent Loyal Orange Institution is energised by, and confidently expresses and promotes, the      Reformed Faith and Heritage, through our Orange Fraternity.

Recognising the diversity of modern society, and maintaining our Independence from outside influence, we  deny    to no-one the rights we expect for ourselves.”

 

MISSION

To actively demonstrate to all through education and example our sincere belief in the:

        Centrality and truth of the Reformed Faith

As a Christian organisation it is the Biblical faith of our fathers which we proudly promote. It is the Basis of our Institution, and forms our practice and response to the challenges of the world around us. The Reformation we believe rediscovered the truths of the Christian faith, and that remains central to our work today. As such we vigorously and actively oppose  the errors of the Church of Rome in line with the position taken in the Westminster Confession of Faith. However we also hope that our message is one of love and hope, consistent with the Gospel and capable of  convicting and convincing those around us.

 Vitality and relevance of our heritage and culture

Orangeism represents a rich and diverse heritage and culture, which makes it an international fraternity. A shared faith and many common bonds of brotherhood allows the central features of our Institution and experience to unite with those of other cultures from other countries. In terms of art and music it is rich and varied, from banners through marching bands to lambeg drums. Traditional music and skills are passed down from generation to generation, showcased at hundreds of  parades and events each year. The Twelfth of July Parades represent the largest cultural festival in Europe.

 Importance of maintaining Civil and Religious Liberty for the benefit of all.

We associate in memory of King William III, and in commemoration of the Glorious Revolution 1688. This even was the foundation of our Great British Constitution, which granted us all many of the rights and liberties we take for granted such as a free press, or basic democratic principles and set this country on the road to becoming the model of Parliamentary Democracy. It was the inspiration for the American Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights and indeed we celebrate the Twelfth of July much like the American Independence Day celebrations.

 

The Slogan of our founding fathers remains as true today as it was in 1903

Protestantism, Not Politics. Principles, Not Party. Measures, Not Men.

 

Mission

The Independent Loyal Orange Institution was formed in 1903 by those who opposed the Orange Order being used for party political ends by unscrupulous politicians.

It has promoted the concept that Orangeism should be free of outside interference and should promote the principles of Protestantism – ALONE.

 

 

We take our name from King William III, Prince of Orange whose victory at the Battle of the Boyne, secured the Glorious Revolution. This ended the arbitrary and absolute rule of James II, whose bigoted Catholic policy threatened to  extinguish civil and religious liberty. Protestants in Ireland had felt this persecution and with good reason feared that it would lead to their extermination. William of Orange is therefore the personification not only of deliverance but also of liberty and freedom. Just as Americans celebrate George Washington and the American War of Independence we  celebrate the Boyne and the Glorious Revolution.

In the site we hope to explore our history and the important principles, for which we stand, but also to look forward to the ever changing role and significance of Orangeism. Like the lodge itself the site will be better and stronger if you join us, contribute and support our work.

Many wrongly believe the Orange Institution is as secret society, that it meets behind closed doors and has much to hide. Nothing could be further from the truth, like facebook or your local bank we have a set of terms and conditions, which reflect our Protestant principles. In order to join we ask that you share those principles and work with us to promote them, in the pages that follow we hope to explain them and why we feel them important and relevant today.

We have always been an open organisation taking to the streets to witness our faith and culture in the most colourful and enjoyable ways. From parades to gospel missions, from our rituals to our outreach the Bible and our Reformed faith is central to all we do.

Drumming at the Hall

The lodge continues in the same townland where it was begun almost 200 years years ago, and we have been at our present location since the new Orange Hall was built in 1910. For many years the Orange Hall was the focal point of not only the lodge but the entire community.

It was a vital resource hosting everything from gospel missions to dances. In the days before motor cars it was often the only source of recreation for many families. Band practices, games nights, music evenings and drumming events all gave life to the hall.

We hope the ongoing renovations which have seen the addition of a new kitchen, meeting room and disabled toilets, as well as an entrance hall, will when finally complete allow the Hall once more to become the venue it once was.

To the Sound of the Drum

After having a flute band for many years, the lodge is very firmly a drumming lodge now. The involvement of the Wilkinson family with the lodge, meant that a lambeg drum was never far away. In recent years lodge members have led the lodge each twelfth and their skill and dedication are a source of pride and enjoyment for all. We have recently helped create a drumming club where this local tradition can be preserved and young people taught both the fife and drum.

Sitting between Portglenone and Rasharkin we are on the border between Ballymena and Ballymoney, on the banks of the River Bann in the County of Antrim which lends a rich Ulster Scots musical tradition to the area. We actively promote the fife and lambeg drum as a central feature of that tradition.

We hope that as you read and learn more about us that you will get involved. Over the next few months as the site develops there will be a range of opportunities to ask questions, to come and participate in events and indeed if you feel what we say makes sense, and what we are doing is worthwhile and you can subscribe to our ethos then to actually join the lodge, either as a full or as an associate member.

The lodge welcomes new members and as an Orange Democracy we believe that each member young or old have a vital role to play. We each have skills and talents, ideas and opinions and at our core the lodge is the perfect place for these to me heard and turned into action.

The best way to learn more if to join our virtual lodge on facebook, where friends can chat, share ideas and events as well as make a real difference. It allows lodge members to keep in touch no matter where they are and what they may be doing. So come join us and like us on facebook as we grow.