Sash 'Ban' Stymies Orange Initiative On St Pat's Day

Claims that the best known of Ulster's loyal orders is in negotiations to take part in a St Patrick's Day parade later this year have been refuted.

Orangemen in Co Down have now denied accepting an 'informal invitation' to take part in this year's St Pat's Day march in Downpatrick.

The St Patrick's Orange Lodge received a verbal approach from two Ulster Unionist councillors as mediators but rejected the invitation after no guarantees that members could display their usual flags and regalia were given.

Lodge representatives said it would be "demeaning" if their traditional dress – such as collarettes (a reduced version of the Orange sash) - were not allowed to be worn and noted that it turned down a similar offer last year.

A spokesman for the central body, the Grand Lodge said: "Decisions on taking part in such parades were principally a matter for the local lodges who understood the situation in their area.

"If people wanted Orangemen to take part in parades they must accept their culture and try not to change it.

"It was important that any invitations would not stipulate restrictive conditions which would have the effect of altering the proud traditions of the Orange institution."

Orangemen said they did celebrate March 17 across Northern Ireland, focusing on the saint's role in spreading Christianity.

The Downpatrick parade is one of the biggest - and most inclusive - in NI and attracts tourists from across the world.

However, the larger Belfast St Patrick's Day parade has been criticised in recent year's for its lack of inclusion, with organisers responding by attempting – unsuccessfully – to 'ban' divisive Irish tricolour flags from the event – being powerless to influence republican elements among those attending.

The west Belfast-based Feile an Phobail (People's Festival) has been the driving force behind the organisation of Belfast's St Patrick's Day parade since 1997.

While Belfast City Council attempted to bring together representatives of the nationalist and unionist communities to organise the event in 1999, and again in later years, a claim by the St Patrick's Heritage Association remains that Protestants feel excluded from the existing event.

However, the near 'politics-free' celebrations in Downpatrick were described by them as a good model on which to base a cross-cultural event, although ironically, the Orange regalia 'ban' is implied as part of any prohibition on other 'politicised' material.

(BMcC)