Huge celebration to mark centenary of Ulster Covenant

On Thursday, September 27 Brownlow House will be the venue for a large scale celebration of the historic event.

As part of the celebrations a huge monument will be unveiled at Brownlow House and the evening will finish with a fireworks display.

To kick off the night, a parade, led by people in period dress from 1912, will leave Brownlow House at 7.30pm featuring Orange Brethren from all 11 districts of County Armagh as well as Lower Iveagh West. There will also be some members of the Somme Association on parade.

Upon return to Brownlow House the granddaughter of Lord Craigavon will officially unveiled the new monument, while Rev Geoff Wilson of Shankill Parish will be making the dedication.

The nine-foot high obelisk weighs four tones and is engraved with the words of the Ulster Covenant. It was constructed by a firm from Kilkeel and is valued at £7,000.

After the dedication there will be live music from the Ulster Scotch Experience following by a spectacular firework display.

The Mayor will be in attendance for the event as will various other dignitaries from across Northern Ireland.

According to District Master David Martin both Lord Craigavon James Craig and the Loyal Orange Order played a key role in the organising and the signing of the Covenant in September 1912.

“James Craig was one of the leading figures in the signing of the covenant and the Orange Order had a significant role as well,” he said.

Mr Martin added: “This is a huge event which we’ve been working at for a long, long time. It is to celebrate the centenary of the eve the covenant was signed.

“There will be no political speeches just remembering the covenant. This is an event for all the family and everyone is welcome to attend.”