Cross Border Fact Finding Visit

50 people attended a fact finding visit to Drum, Co Monaghan and Mullaghaboy Orange Hall, Co Cavan on 26th February.

The day started with a visit to Drum Protestant Hall where a very informative presentation was given by Drum Development Association. Drum is the only Protestant village in the Irish Republic. Mervyn Reilly spoke on improvements made to Drum Protestant Hall. The hall was completely renovated without grant aid but with donations, goodwill and hard work from representatives of 5 Orange Lodges. Ruth Stewart spoke on how the Development Association had leased and renovated an old national school in which community childcare is currently provided and three people are employed. Participants on the trip were taken for a tour of this building. The group is called Wee Drummers. Angela Graham spoke about what it was like to be a Protestant living in this area and gave information on the geographics of the area stating that it is a rural community 8 miles from the border with Co. Fermanagh. Barbara Stewart outlined how the Association is also involved in environmental projects and have made improvements to an area adjacent to Drum Lough and created a wildlife garden. Entries are made on an annual basis to the national Tidy Towns competition and a number of awards have been won by Drum.

At Mullaghboy Orange Hall Charley McAdam spoke about the work of the Border Minority Group which covers counties Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim, the local Orange Lodge and Mullaghboy Accordion Band. He also spoke about the relaxed atmostphere towards parading as there is no legal obligation to notify the Garda Siochana of a parade. There are a number of old banners and artifacts on display in the hall which created interest and discussion. It turns out Mullaghboy Accordian Band had purchased accordians from Enagh Accordian Band 40 years ago!