Skip the NI Direct Bar
Skip navigation

McCausland hosts reception for 43rd Imperial Orange Council delegates

Friday, 10 July 2009

Culture Minister, Nelson McCausland today welcomed delegates of worldwide Imperial Orange Councils to Stormont.

Speaking at the reception, Minister McCausland said: “It is an honour to welcome delegates from across the globe to Northern Ireland for the 43rd Triennial Conference.

“One of my main priorities as Culture Minister will be the development and promotion of culture and cultural tourism in Northern Ireland.  I believe there is a great untapped potential right across Northern Ireland and the Twelfth celebrations are central to this.”

The Minister continued: “Great strides have been made in recent years with initiatives such as Belfast Orangefest and Eleventh night festivals which make significant contributions to promoting the Twelfth celebrations as the biggest annual cultural tourism event in Northern Ireland.

“The celebrations are fully inclusive and provide a family friendly festival atmosphere which contributes to improving community relations.

In conclusion the Minister said: “I firmly believe that the Orange and Ulster-Scots cultures have much to offer and in this current climate and we must exploit every opportunity to bring economic benefits to Northern Ireland.”

The Minister also thanked the delegates for coming to Northern Ireland, some of whom travelled vast distances to attend the council meeting.  Visiting delegates come from as far as Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Canada and United States of America and Togo as well as England, Scotland and the Irish Republic.

Notes to Editors

  1. Since 2005 DCAL has funded, through its cultural diversity programme, an outreach programme within the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.    The remit of the programme is to raise awareness of the role the Orange Order within both its own community and the wider community within Northern Ireland.
  2. Funding in 2005/06 included an education officer’s salary costs of £22k; 2006/07 and 2007/08 funding increased to £33k per year to cover salary and project costs; 2008/09 funding increased to £39k to cover education officer’s salary, project costs and admin post.
  3. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office. Tel (028) 9051 5047 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.