Sir, - As a resident of Dublin, a citizen of Ireland, and a liberal Catholic, I support the proposed Orange march in Dublin's city centre on May 28th. One of the aims of the Orange Order is to promote civil and religious liberty for all. The Orange tradition is an often paradoxical amalgam of Presbyterian social radicalism and the ultra-conservatism of the Unionist tradition.
While welcoming the open expression of this proud and complex Protestant cultural tradition in Dublin in May, I believe that the Orange Order should re-examine itself in the light of social radicalism, religious and civil liberty and moving forward in the peace process.
Women, Catholics and participants in mixed marriages should ideally all be allowed to join. In such circumstances I would not mind joining the Orange Order myself. - Yours, etc.,
Jennifer Garahy, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.