WHILE the sham fight at Scarva next Tuesday will re-create the Battle of the Boyne in a light-hearted manner, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that Monday’s marches are also something of a sham, although in a more serious form.

The 18 Orange Order parades will not quite live up to the claim that they accurately celebrate history, religion and culture.

Let’s take the culture first. Although the order opposed the Irish Language Act, it proudly (if unknowingly) displays our common cultural heritage.

The names on banners and drums in many Orange bands tell the watching faithful where they come from.

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Orange men and women proclaim, for example, that their lodge is located at the wood of the river bend (Cullybackey – Coill na Baice), the flat-topped hill (Keady – An Céide), or the wicker bridge (Kesh – Ceis).

Others announce that their home is at the goats’ bog (Moneygore – Mónaidh Gabhar), the dog’s leap (Limavady – Léim an Mhadaidh), or the yew forest field (Ahoghill – Acadh Eochaille).

If an Irish name is worth painting on a banner or drum, surely the language is worth promoting?

The Orange Order........

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