Glenarm arch in museum

Grand Lodge director of services, Dr David Hume, pictured with the Glenarm Orange arch which is the largest artefact at the new Museum of Orange Heritage, Belfast. INLT 25-663-CON

The arch has been transferred to the museum to illustrate the story of Orangeism in Ireland and worldwide.

The arch, the property of Glenarm LOL 1121, has been donated to the Grand Orange Lodge museum and is set to be a talking point for visitors and tourists, when the new facility opens later this month.

The arch is being adopted by the lodge nearest to the museum, Cregagh Defenders LOL 1588, who will assist the museum with the upkeep of the installation within the museum complex.

The lodge itself dates back to the 1870s and Orange Order Director of Services, Dr David Hume, said the museum was delighted to have the donation of the arch.

“An Orange arch is a very significant part of the Orange tradition and we are delighted that the newly adopted Cregagh Glen arch has a new home at the museum,” he said.

“During its lifetime on the Antrim Coast, it will have been doubtless viewed by many, but thousands of visitors, including many from overseas, will now be able to view it and have their photographs taken beside it. We are very honoured that the lodge would consider making this gesture to our museum.”

He said the museum hoped to have an annual event around the arch each summer and were pleased that the Cregagh Orange Lodge, which is part of No. 6 District, would be assisting in maintaining the arch.

The parade will end with the official dedication of the arch and handover to the care of the museum.