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The '''Orange Order''', also known as the '''Orange Institution''', is a Protestant organisation associated primarily with [[Northern Ireland]], although Orange Lodges exist elsewhere in [[Ireland]], and in [[Great Britain]], [[Canada]] and other English-speaking countries.
The '''Orange Order''', also known as the '''Orange Institution''', is a Protestant organisation associated primarily with [[Northern Ireland]], although Orange Lodges exist elsewhere in [[Ireland]], and in [[Great Britain]], [[Canada]] and other English-speaking countries.
The Orange Order is associated politically with [[Ulster Unionism]] and [[Loyalism]]: it sees maintenance of the union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain as essential for protecting [[Protestantism]]; since Northern ireland was founded in 1921 a large proportion of its political and business leaders have been 'Orangemen'. Supporters of Orangeism say that it is a religious organisation seeking only to support Protestantism; opponents claim that it has promoted and upheld sectarian bigotry and the oppression of [[Roman Catholics]].
The Orange Order dates back to the foundation of the Loyal Orange Order in 1795, at a time when Protestant farmers fought with Catholic 'Defenders'.
The Order has around 75,000 members today, organised in 'Lodges'. One way of publicising their cause is through 'Orange Walks' - annual marches on traditional routes, mainly in the so-called 'marching season' which culminates on 12 July with comemmorations of the victory of the Protestant [[William of Orange]] ([[William III]]) over the Catholic [[James II]] at the [[Battle of the Boyne]]. The mebers parade wearing dark suits, bowler hats and carrying furled umbrellas, and wearing also distinctive orange 'collarettes' - v-shaped sashes.
==Further Information==
http://www.grandorangelodge.co.uk/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1422212.stm