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Lodge in St Patrick's Day talks Lodge will not parade on St Pat's
(about 6 hours later)
Talks are taking place which could lead to an Orange lodge take part in this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Downpatrick, it has emerged. An Orange lodge has said it will not be taking part in this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Downpatrick.
The Orange Order's Grand Secretary Drew Nelson said he would have no objections provided no conditions were placed on dress or regalia carried. There had been speculation that St Patrick's LOL 688, Saintfield, would pariticipate in the 17 March event.
Mr Nelson also said local members would "have to be happy". A spokesman for the lodge said: "There had been a verbal approach from two Ulster Unionist councillors.
"They're the best ones to judge if this is something appropriate to participate in," he said. "The lodge has decided not to accept the invitation as it was unclear as to whether or not they could carry their usual flags, banners and standards."
"Is this a genuine invitation or is someone trying to operate by a different agenda in inviting us?" He added that "contrary to some media reports, there have been no negotiations about taking part in the parade".
Festivities take place across the island of Ireland on 17 March to remember St Patrick, a slave turned Christian missionary. The Orange Order's Grand Secretary Drew Nelson said earlier on Friday he would have no objections provided no conditions were placed on dress or regalia carried.
The highlight of the Orange calendar is 12 July, when the organisation commemorates William of Orange's victory over King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. "They (St Patrick's LOL 688) are the best ones to judge if this is something appropriate to participate in," he said.