North West Group Study Visit to Co Armagh

James Kee of Bready Ulster Scots Group brought a number of people from Strabane/Londonderry/Donegal area on a study visit to Co Armagh.

The day began at Dan Winter’s Ancestral Home where Hilda Winter gave a history of the formation of the Orange Order.

The group then met with members of County Armagh Community Development (CACD) at Redrock Orange Hall where David McMullen gave a power point presentation on the community relations work of CACD and the training and activities arranged for member groups. Robert Wilson of County Monaghan Community Network (CMCN) talked about how CACD and CMCN have been jointly involved in the Communities Sharing Project and gave examples of the community activities arranged. Lunch was provided by Redrock Development Partnership and Roberta Kennedy (Chairperson) then spoke about the community activities that are held in Redrock Orange Hall.

The next stop was Bessbrook Orange Hall where Trevor Kinnin of the Model Village Community Association gave a history of Bessbrook and how the village was established. He also spoke about the role of the Loyal Orders in the community and the work of the various community associations in the Bessbrook area. A number of the participants expressed an interest in returning to Co Armagh.