Orange Order’s David is hot on King William’s trail

Following the trail of King William on his way to victory at the Battle of the Boyne will now be as simple as ABC – courtesy of the latest educational initiative devised by a Rathfriland Orangeman.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Nov 2014, 08:00 BST

David Scott, community education officer with the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, has created an informative poster, using the letters of the alphabet, to illustrate landmarks and key figures associated with the Williamite period over three centuries ago.

The Institution’s educational and outreach resource is aimed primarily at both primary and key stage three school pupils to learn more about a defining period in British and Irish history.

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Fittingly, the unveiling took place recently in Carrickfergus, where King William III landed at the town’s harbour before travelling south to the Boyne to defeat the Jacobite army. The event was also held on the 364th anniversary of the monarch’s birth. Among the attendees at the event were the Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson, and Mayor of Carrickfergus Borough Council, Alderman Charles Johnston; who were joined by school pupils from across the east Antrim area.

Mr Scott, a member of Drumlough LOL 153, said the alphabet poster was an “innovative and exciting concept, bringing history to life”.

He said: “The principal aim of the poster, as well as being a novel and fun teaching resource aid, is to educate and inform young people, and consequently put history in its proper context.

“The poster is specifically designed to complement and support the key stage three progamme, and citizenship learning for life and work. We therefore think it will be a major asset to the educational sector in Northern Ireland and beyond.

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“Orangeism is the custodian of a unique culture and this new resource will greatly assist in demystifying negative perceptions of the Institution, its ethos, and what it stands for; as well as enlightening its audience about a landmark period in our common past.

“We hope the King William trail poster will adorn many classroom walls and we look forward to engaging with schools in relation to it.”

The poster idea follows on from the publication of a new schools’ workbook based on the Williamite Wars, earlier this year.

Related topics:Carrickfergus