The Grand Master of the Orange Order is calling for more support for the annual Twelfth of July parade in Rossknowlagh.
The event, which takes place on the Saturday before the Twelfth each year attracts thousands, with members of over 50 lodges from Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and across Northern Ireland attending, along with a number of international visitors.
On today’s Nine til Noon Show, David Mahon told Greg Hughes that the Rossknowlagh parade is hugely popular and has a reputation for being one of the best Orange Parades on the calendar.
However, he says, apart from some support when President Mary McAleese was in office, they’ve received no funding………
In a statement to Highland Radio, Donegal County Council says no application for funding was received from the organisers of the Rossnowlagh Twelfth Parade, but the event was promoted on the govisitdonegal website as agreed with the event organisers.The council also says several lodges availed of capital funding for refurbishment of orange halls in the 2000s.
Listen to a longer version here –
Council statement in full –
The Council are supportive of all festivals and events that take place in the county, many of which proceed without any Council engagement or funding support. Donegal County Council administers the annual Failte Ireland Regional Festival and Events Funding Programme and applications are invited from festival and event organisers early each year. This year 41 festival and events are being supported under this grant scheme. No application for funding was received from the organisers of the Rossnowlagh Twelfth Parade, however, this event was promoted on the www.govisitdonegal.com as agreed with the event organisers.
Information in relation to supports for festival and event organisers and other community activities is available on www.donegalcoco.ie and on the Councils social media platforms. In addition, the Council Services that manage grant supports for festivals and events would be happy to advise Mr. Mahon on the types and form of supports available should he wish to contact us at 074 91 53900 or info@donegalcoco.ie.
Acknowledging Mr. Mahon’s comments in relation to funding for Orange Halls, Donegal County Council can confirm that it administered capital grant schemes in the 2000’s which were also provided to Orange Halls for refurbishment purposes and which were availed of by several of the Orange Lodges in the county. The Council engaged with Mr. Mahon during that period, in his role as Grand Master.
