Orangeism: The Making of a Tradition

by Kevin Haddick-Flynn

The first definitive history of the Orange Order Events over the past four years centred around the Drumcree Parish Church and the Garvaghy Road have focused world-wide attention on the Orange Order and the Loyal orders in general. Taking its name from the historic figure William of Orange the Orange Order has become, in the eyes of many, synonymous with bigotry and triumphalism. Much of the history of the Order remains untold and unexplored. Now in this major study of the history of Orangeism-the culmination of five years of research-Kevin Haddick-Flynn presents the reader with a comprehensive and definitive account of the Order from its foundation in the 17th century through centuries of growth and conflict and brings us right up to the present day and the turmoil of recent years culminating in the schism in the order in the wake of the murder of the three Quinn brothers in the Summer of 1998. Issues which he examines include the origins of the order, Ireland before and after William, the creation of the first Orange Societies in Ireland, the links between Orangeism and Freemasonry, the growth of the Orange Order outside of Ireland, the role of this "non-political" society in the politics of the state, Orangeism in the 20th Century and there is a particular focus later in the book on the events of the last four years in Northern Ireland. Over the course of thirty chapters he examines every aspect of the order in this first complete examination of this institution of Protestantism and he has produced an unbiased, journalistic account of the Order.

448 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2001

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole, this book is a fairly objective history of Orangeism in Ireland. The main problem that I have with the book is the paucity of references - even though there are endnotes. The sections that deal with the earlier history are stronger, but the author lacked professional distance when it came to the more recent material. The treatment of William Johnston of Ballykilkbeg was especially interesting. Unusually for an evangelical in this era, Johnston was a novelist; he also took good stands against legislation that was incongruous with freedom of association.

Given that the book was published in 1999 when tensions over the Drumcree dispute were at their height, he could be forgiven for presenting the Orange Order in an overly negative light. Many of his criticisms of the organisation in the period were fair and its members should take them on the chin, as many of them later did. One problem with histories relating to Northern Ireland, especially during "The Troubles", is that you would get the impression that both unionists and nationalists were constantly at each other's throats. The reality is that most people got along peacefully with each other and that the violence was carried out and supported by a minority in both communities. Likewise, focusing on contentious parades can give one a skewed outlook, as most parades have passed off peacefully.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good telling of Orange history albeit sometimes skewed by the author's bias. Still as history in common publicantion it is well woth the read.