Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Niamh Smyth says she was delighted to be invited and attend an event on the history of Cavan Orangeism in Loughgall in County Armagh last night.
Commenting Deputy Niamh Smyth said, “As a TD for Cavan- Monaghan and as Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Arts & Heritage, I was delighted to attend this informative event on the history of Cavan Orangeism in Loughgall. It was very apt that the historic venue of Sloan’s House Loughgall County Armagh, the ancestral home of the Orange Order was chosen for this talk.
“The presentation is the latest in a continuing series in the iconic location, covering the history of Orangeism outside the boundaries of Northern Ireland. The Cavan Orange presentation will be followed later in the year by evenings focusing on the Orange heritage of County Limerick and County Leitrim in the 20th Century, with the series having received financial support from Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Council. I want to thank everyone in attendance last night for their wonderful hospitality.”
Deputy Smyth continued, “I want to especially thank Orchard County historian and researcher Quincey Dougan for inviting me and for his wonderful presentation on Cavan, following up his continuing work on the Orange heritage of Leitrim and Monaghan.”
Deputy Smyth concluded, “Quincey described the Cavan Orange story as being rich with people, events and places of immense interest. Remarkably, over the past two centuries Cavan played a central role in the development of Unionism and Orangeism in the entirety of Ireland, and for many years proportionally in terms of population it was the most ‘Orange’ area of Ireland. The Cavan Orange story offers many insights into our history that give valuable lessons for both todays Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. I was delighted to have been there to share in these stories which are such an important piece of our history and culture and preserving same. ”
