Orangemen offered use of GAA pavillion
October 24, 2014
An Orange Order in Co. Donegal whose hall was destroyed in an arson attack last month could soon be meeting in the local GAA clubhouse.
An Orange Order in Co. Donegal whose hall was destroyed in an arson attack last month could soon be meeting in the local GAA clubhouse.
Newtown cunningham GAA club wrote to the local Orange lodge afterwards to offer them the use of their facilities while their new hall is being rebuilt.
Lodge treasurer Stewart McClean explained to the BBC: "We received a letter from them offering use of their premises while our own hall's being rebuilt, something we took great support out of.
"We have been inundated with messages of support from the local community, from the parish hall from the local Gaelic club - even some of the local businesses are organising a dance for us to raise funds to help us rebuild again."
Former Donegal football star Brendan Devenney doesn't envisage anyone objecting to the offer.
"There would be no issue at all with that from anybody in Newtowncunningham," he said.
"Growing up as a kid in Newtown, I remember being down in the Orange hall all the time, there used to be fundraisers and bazaars.
"That [GAA] pavillion down there, it's not really seen as some kind of hardcore nationalist GAA place, it's seen as a place for people in the community."
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