A touch of Irish and Orange

The Orange Order (or The Loyal Orange Institution), is an international Protestant fraternal order based in Northern Ireland and primarily associated with Ulster Protestants.

Founded in County Armagh in 1795 during a period of Protestant–Catholic sectarian conflict, the fraternity has sworn to maintain the Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland. The Order is best known for its yearly marches, the biggest of which are held on or around 12 July (The Twelfth), a public holiday in Northern Ireland.

Although 1907 was an eventful year for Twillingate’s Orangemen, the local chapter already had a fairly long history. The first LOA member initiated at Twillingate was George Hodder, on 26 September 1871. The Royal Scarlett Chapter of the LOA, later known as The Edward the Seventh No. 3, was instituted at Twillingate on 30 October 1880. At the first meeting eight “Sir Knights” were welcomed, and the minutes were recorded by one Tis Linfield. By the 1930s the Orange Lodge had nearly 400 members. During the Confederation debates of the 1940s the Alexandra Hall was used for political meetings, and housed patients during a hospital fire in 1943.

Today the hall has been given the name “Touton House” and is used for musical performances during the Summer months, particularly that of local favourites The Split Peas. Performing together for over 30 years, the Split Peas cultivate an authentic Newfoundland musical tradition with lively performances regularly throughout the year in Twillingate.