Eleven year wait for Twelfth

Lurgan District LOL No6 recently launched their plans to mark the event which coincides with the 400th anniversary of the foundation of Lurgan.

The setting for the gathering of the 11 Armagh districts will be Brownlow House, the ancestral home of the town’s founders.

The intention is to bring the Twelfth to the people with the main county parade passing through Mourneview estate.

Leading up to the big day there are plans for various community events from January to July, with celebrations also planned from September to November.

One of those major events includes the biggest outdoor concert ever seen in Lurgan. Brownlow House will be rocking to the music of Queen on Saturday, June 19 courtesy of Flash Harry, led by Lurgan’s own Harry Hamilton.

A Songs of Praise event is also planned for Shankill Parish on July 7.

“Lurgan District aim to make this a family occasion, where brethren can bring the whole family to enjoy the premier day of the orange calendar,” said a spokesperson for Lurgan District.

“The Twelfth used to be a day that the entire Protestant fraternity used to look forward too, and we in Lurgan District want to put the Orange Institution where it belongs, back at the centre of the Protestant community.”

The spokesperson continued: “We want the people of Lurgan to embrace their culture and faith and unanimously join in celebrating our glorious Protestant faith and culture.

“Therefore we intend to bring the Twelfth to the people, our main county parade will pass through the biggest Protestant estate in Lurgan, Mourneview estate, and already the response from the residents there is one of great anticipation and expectation.

“The people have been invigorated and already are making big plans to receive the brethren.

“For us it will be a year long celebration focusing on the Twelfth itself. All the events will be community lead and we plan to have the history of the institution relayed in the various community centres in Lurgan.”