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Rev. DD Boyle
Rev David Dorrington Boyle DD
He is regarded as a founder member and clearly a leading light amongst Independent Orangemen, and had it not been for his intervention in Ballymoney it is questionable if the Institution would have taken the numbers it did.
As grand Chaplain he held the highest of offices however by 1908 he appears to have no real connection with the Order. He moved to Newry then east Belfast and served as minister there from 1910 until his death in 1938. Here under Boyle, McQuiston memorial Presbyterian Church eventually became the largest Presbyterian congregation in Ireland, peaking at over 1500 families.
Imperial Grand Lodge Meeting
The officers and members of the Independent Loyal Orange Institution held their annual meeting in the Headquarters Hall Ballymoney on Saturday 9th January 2016 at 2.00pm. The chair was taken by Rt Wor Bro Alan McLean Imperial Grand Master assisted in the Deputy chair by Wor Bro James Anderson . The Lodge was opened, normal business conducted and reports taken.
IGM Wor Bro McLean then thanked the brethren for having him as the IGM for the past five years,something that he enjoyed immensely and intimated that he was not standing for election for a further term. He then Called on Bro Victor McLean PCGM to conduct the election of officers.
The main officers elected being, Imperial Grand Master Rt Wor Bro James Anderson, Deputy Grand Master Wor Bro Mervyn Storey MLA, Chaplain Wor Bro Derek McFarland,Secretary Wor Bro Alexander McFarland and Treasurer Wor Bro Roy Wilson. Following the election Wor Bro Cyril Glass PIGM IGL nstalled the newly elected officers.
Members of McNeillstown ILOL N046 brought fraternal greetings and best wished from the lodge. We would like to pay tribute to the outgoing IGM Alan McClean for his leadership and dedication. It is a hard job heading up an Institution and he is to be commended for the progress and success his tenure in office saw.
Final Business was then conducted and the meeting closed with all retiring to the bottom hall where supper was served. Following supper Rt Wor Bro Anderson spoke briefly thanking those who has supplied and served an excellent supper.
Ballymoney Twelfth Festival
We are looking forward to the Twelfth Festival in Ballymoney in the run up to the twelfth of July, so come join us for a range of events. From history to culture, parades to parties the week has it all. beginning on Monday with a historical bus tour and ending with the big day itself!
Faith will be at the heart of all we do and this year to mark the Institutions association with St Jame’s Presbyterian church we will be having a Twelfth morning service there.
We will keep you posted on the events as they happen.
Imperial Grand Lodge Church Service
To mark this connection on Monday 13th July there will be an Imperial Grand Lodge Church Service in Boyle’s old church – St James’s Presbyterian Church at 11.00am followed by annual Demonstration in Megaw Park, parade to leave Park at 1.00pm for parade of Town followed by platform proceedings, Chair to be taken at 2.30pm. Return Parade will leave Park at approximately 4.15pm for parade Coleraine Road, High St and Main St terminating at Seymour Street.
National Trust; (c) Chirk Castle; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation
District Meeting
Tonight the lodge attended the meeting of Portglenone Independent Loyal Orange District Lodge No. 4, in our neighboring hall Killcoogan. It was a great meeting with plans in place for a range of events this years and even next.
There was a presentation of a framed certificate to mark the District’s participation in a parade of banners which marked the centenary of the signing of the Covenant. The event was a world record for the number of banners on parade, with the District bannerette proudly on display.
Other events to commemorate the Centenary of the Home Rule period were discussed and planned with the next in May this year. Our own Somme preparations are under way for 2016 as we host the Twelfth that year.
We are running a bus to the parade in Belfast on 9th May and hope to see many members on parade as we mark this historic event.
March Past Belfast City Hall
36th Ulster Division march past Belfast City Hall on the 8th May 1915 before heading to England for training and then on to the battle fields of Europe.
In 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, on the Sussex coast of England. This was the first time that many of the men had been outside their native Ireland. Kitchener inspected the Division there on 27 July 1915, and later remarked to Carson “your Division of Ulstermen is the finest I have yet seen”
In October 1915 after several months of preparation in England, men of the 36th Ulster Division sailed across the Channel and began to disembark in France. The soldiers, drawn from all parts of the nine counties of Ulster, had previously trained at Finner Camp in Donegal, Ballykinlar in County Down, and the Clandeboye Estate near Bangor. All were volunteers with an overwhelming majority of them in their late teens and early twenties and, while many perhaps sought adventure and a chance to see some of the world beyond the confines of their own home towns and villages, they believed absolutely that their cause in going to war to free France and Belgium from German oppression and invasion was just and honourable.
Most of the battalions and other divisional units travelled to Belfast on the day preceding the parade. On the morning of the parade the men of 108th Brigade, including the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, travelled by eight trains from Newtownards and Bangor; the last train arrived in Belfast at a little after 8.00am.
The entire Division, numbering nearly 17,000 men, formed up at Malone with 107th Brigade on the right. Beside it were the men of the Divisional Troops—Royal Engineer Field Companies and the Divisional Signal Company, the Cavalry Squadron and Cyclist Company and the men of the Field Ambulances and the Army Service Corps. Next was 108th Brigade and then 109th Brigade on the left, nearest the Malone Road. The Division was inspected by the well respected officer and former MP for North Antrim, Major General Sir Hugh McCalmont KCB, CVO. After the review, the Ulster Division marched through the city centre.
Along the route the streets were decked out with bunting and flags and crowded with local people and the family and friends of those on parade. During the march past at City Hall, which lasted for over one and a half hours, the salute was taken by the General alongside the Mayor. The parade was attended by Sir Edward Carson, who had travelled from London to see it. By 9.00pm 108th Brigade was back at Clandeboye having returned by eight trains to Bangor and Newtownards.
Burns night
The annual celebratory tribute to the life, works and spirit of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796).
Celebrated on, or about, the Bard’s birthday, January 25th, Burns Suppers range from stentoriously formal gatherings of esthetes and scholars to fun family evenings. Most Burns Suppers include the traditional haggis, nips and tatoos with music, poetry and other activities in the spirit of the Bard.
Here is a typical run through and description of what is involved in a Burns Supper:
Piping in the top table
At formal gatherings, it is traditional for the top table guests to be piped in. However, at a smaller and less formal gathering, you can play some Scottish music, traditional bagpipe music or your favourite contemporary Scottish band, and clap along to welcome your guests.
Welcome
The selected Chairman or Speaker acts as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and welcomes the guests – the host of an informal evening usually takes this role. The Chairman introduces the top table and any other speakers and entertainers before reciting the Selkirk Grace:
‘Some hae meat and canna eat, And some would eat that want it, But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit’.
Piping in the haggis
The haggis is the crowning glory of a Burns Supper and, suitably, is piped in to an upstanding audience. Traditionally the chef carries the haggis in on a silver platter behind the piper and is followed by the person who will address the haggis.
The address to the haggis
The appointed speaker gives a dramatic rendition of Burns’ Address to a Haggis with a knife at the ready. After apologising for ‘killing’ the haggis, they then plunge the knife into the haggis and slice it open during the line ‘An’ cut you up wi’ ready slight’’ meaning ‘and cut you up with skill’. The recital ends with the platter being raised above their head whilst saying the triumphant words ‘Gie her a Haggis!’ to rapturous applause.
Toast to the haggis
The speaker then invites the guests to toast the haggis and everyone, including the chef, raises their glasses and shouts ‘The Haggis’ before enjoying a dram. The haggis is then piped back out to be prepared for dinner.
The meal
Spicy haggis, meat or vegetarian, is traditionally served with buttery mashed neeps and tatties and sometimes a whisky cream sauce.
First entertainer
The Chairman introduces the first entertainer who then performs one of Burns’ songs or poems such as A Red, Red Rose or Tam O’ Shanter.
The immortal memory
The main speaker is introduced and gives an enthralling account of Burns’ life. His literary prowess, politics, nationalistic pride in Scotland, faults and humour should all be explored to give the audience an insight into Burns’ life and works in a witty, yet serious way. The speaker concludes with an invitation to join in a heart-felt toast: ‘To the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns’.
Second entertainer
More celebration of Burns with singing or a recital.
Toast to the lassies
A humorous speech written for the evening that gently ridicules the (few) shortcomings of women that aims to amuse both sides of the audience – ‘observations’ therefore should not be too cutting! Despite the initial mockery, the speech ends on a positive note with the speaker asking the men to raise their glasses in a toast ‘to the lassies’.
Third entertainer
More songs, recitals and music.
Reply to the toast to the lassies
The chance for a female speaker to retort with some good-natured jokes of her own, beginning with a sarcastic thanks on behalf of the women present for the previous speaker’s ‘kind’ words, before giving a lively response highlighting the foibles of the male race, using reference to Burns and the women in his life. Again, this speech finishes on a positive note.
Final entertainer
The last entertainer bravely faces a merry crowd for some final songs and readings.
Vote of thanks
A vote of thanks is made to everyone who has made the evening such a roaring success, from the chef and speakers to the guests.
Auld Sang Syne
A Burns Supper traditionally ends with the singing of Burns’ famous song about parting, Auld Lang Syne. Everyone joins hands in a large circle and sings the words together and at the line ‘And here’s a hand’, you cross each of your hands over to rejoin those standing on either side of you.
Just a quick review of how the site is going, we are still in trial phase with a free site but in couple of months figures are looking good thankyou to all our friends a d users !
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 670 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 11 trips to carry that many people.
Watch “Pastor B.Halliday, D.Kennedy UUP, H.Reilly UKIP, …” on YouTube
Pastor B.Halliday, D.Kennedy UUP, H.Reilly UKIP, …: http://youtu.be/OCQDmXyyYq0
Grand Masters Christmas Message 2014
Grand Masters Christmas Message 2014
Date: December 23, 2014 Author:
Brethren and friends, as we approach the end of 2014 we can look back with fond memories at what has been another great year for this Institution. Having attended a variety of successful events and functions, it is evident to me that Independent Orangeism is holding it’s own. There have been a number of highlights and I have chosen to mention three in particular; the first being the official opening of Lisnagaver Ind Orange Hall, in Rasharkin, on the 24th of May. The new hall is a credit to this Institution and I would like to personally commend the Lodge and Band for their efforts in ensuring it’s construction.
The 5th of July was another historic day for this Institution, as for the first time, we took part in the annual 12th demonstration in Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal. Thanks must go to Bro David Mahon, County Grand Master of Donegal, for making us feel most welcome. As a special guest on the platform, I had the honour of bringing greetings from this Institution. The official unfurling of the first ever Imperial Grand Lodge bannerette, on the 8th July, was a significant milestone for the Independent Institution. It was a distinct pleasure, after the unfurling, to parade around the streets of Ballymoney with the new bannerette at the forefront.
2014 was also a year of immense sadness within the Institution, with the loss of a number of brethren and friends. Four of these losses stand out in my mind; two brethren and two friends. Wor Bro WJ McClure PIGM, whose wisdom and uplifting remarks will be sadly missed; Wor Bro Sam Boal PDM, who was never afraid to speak his mind; Mrs Doreen Glass, who was a lifetime supporter of Killycoogan Lodge and band; and Dr Ian Paisley MBE, who faithfully preached the gospel message from our 12th platform for many years.
As an Institution we have taken a stand on a number of issues, including Sunday football in Northern Ireland and the recent controversy surrounding Asher’s Bakery. We fully support plans to legislate for a conscience clause in Northern Ireland, which will protect those with strongly held religious convictions. Furthermore, in February, we presented a cheque of £4000.00 on behalf of the Grand Masters Charity, to the Meningitis Research Foundation.
As we approach the end of another year, we are disappointed that no solution has yet been found in relation to the abolition of the unelected quango, known as the Parades Commission. The Independent Institution, while having no political attachment, is constitutionally Unionist, and as such, we believe that the Union Flag should be flown from all of our main government buildings. This includes councils in the West of the province, who have been denied this essential right for many years.
Christmas is a special time of the year as many families get together for a well earned break. With all the hustle and bustle we must not forget what Christmas is really about. Isaiah ch9v6 says; “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.
Rt Wor Bro Alan McLean IGM
Lodge Wishes our Members and Friends a Merry Christmas
At this time of year as we spend time with family we remember the real reason for the season and the Christian message.
We wish our members, friends and the entire community a happy and peaceful Christmas and a great New Year. We look forward to a busy and sucessful 2015. We remember those who do not enjoy the time of year we do, from our brethern who are still denied their rights and maintain their protest, to the persecuted church across the globe.
McNeillstown True Blues ILOL No. 46 