DONEGAL’S links to the Orange Order are to be explored in a seminar being held later this month.

The conference, taking place in Loughgall on September 25, will be the first ever to focus solely on Orangeism, its history and its culture.

The Orange Order has long been a controversial part of Irish history but according to seminar convener Quincey Dougan for the most part the movement has been a benign one for both its members and the communities in which it functions.

“To fully understand its motivations and world view, why its activities have manifested in certain ways and indeed its place in the modern world Orangeism has to be looked at holistically in terms of its historiography, ethos, traditions and physical arts. This seminar is an attempt to address the relative absence of that approach by inviting academia to contribute to the discussion in a more focused manner and setting,” Mr Dougan said.

 Among the speakers will be Donegal academic Dr Daragh Curran who will deliver a paper entitled ‘The Survival of the Orange Order in Free State Donegal’.

“Following partition in 1921 Donegal Protestants, abandoned by the northern state, faced an uncertain future in a new Free State under the rule of their republican enemies,” said Dr Curran.

“This precarious position seemed ominous as both Free State and Irregular troops commandeered Protestant property during the Civil War. The intention of this paper is to examine how the Orange Order in Donegal maintained a presence in an arena which promised so little for the Protestant community.”

Further input on Donegal’s relationship with Orangeism will come from Stuart McClean, a prominent Orangeman and community activist.

The day’s events will conclude with a panel discussion looking at the past, present and future of Orangeism in the Republic of Ireland. Panellists will include Chief Executive of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland Iain Carlisle, Stuart McClean, Dr Darragh Curran and Dr Darach MacDonald.

The seminar takes place in Sloan House Museum of Orange History. Given the limited capacity of the conference room it is requested that those wishing to attend contact organisers beforehand. All presentations will be broadcast live on the Sloan House Facebook page.

To get involved contact Quincey Dougan on 00447835624221, emailqdougan01@qub.ac.uk or go to the The Diamond Seminar Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheDiamondSeminar