Members of Orange lodges in the Republic will attend a reception hosted by the President, Mrs Mc Aleese, at Aras an Uachtarain on July 11th to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
Details of the event are still being finalised, but a spokeswoman for the President confirmed that an exhibition on the historical and cultural significance of Orangeism would be staged by the Ulster Heritage Society in the visitors' centre at the Aras. It is understood the exhibition will take place over four days, beginning on July 7th.
Up to 130 people are being invited to the reception. As well as members of the Orange Order they will include academics and others with a special interest in the Battle of the Boyne. No politicians were being invited, the spokeswoman said. There will be poetry and music, including a cross-community band from Northern Ireland called A Different Drum which plays drums exclusively, including a Lambeg drum.
There are 58 Orange lodges functioning in the Republic, in Monaghan (23), Donegal (18), Cavan (15), Dublin-Wicklow (1) and Leitrim (1). Lodges on both sides of the Border operate under the remit of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.