About Enniskillen District Lodge

One of the projects the District Lodge set itself in the millennium was, looking forward to the future, to provide an Orange Hall in Enniskillen. This will be the first time that the Orange Order in the Enniskillen area will actually have an Orange Hall in Enniskillen that can be called their own.

Up to 30 years ago, Enniskillen's Private Lodges, District Lodge and indeed the County Grand Lodge met in the majestic Orange Hall building at the approach to the Island from the East. Unfortunately, due to the imposition of heavy rates and reduced population on the Island of Enniskillen, the local Lodges were unable to afford the upkeep of this Hall to Health and Safety standards and in addition due to further damage caused by the Enniskillen "Remembrance Day" Bomb it was decided to offer the Hall up for sale.

When this occurred it was discovered that those who had used and maintained the Hall for over 100 years were not the legal owners. It was deemed, by law, to have been built as a Protestant Hall and therefore the three Protestant Churches, along with the County Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge each received a share of the sale.

Enniskillen Lodges, having been left homeless for some 30 years, have resolved to re establish a strong Orange base in the County Town of Fermanagh. A decision was made to purchase the Independent Methodist Church, with a seating capacity of around 300, which no longer met with the needs of this church.

We believe this decision will greatly enhance the Orange Order and assist to become a uniting influence in the wider Protestant community.

This District Lodge, with the backing of County Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge embarked on an ambitious fund raising programme that has now reduced our debt substantially on this project.

We feel the wider Orange fraternity would wish to be associated with us in our efforts to keep the Orange flag flying in this our beloved County Town.

The District Hall was officially opened on 12th April 2002 by Right Worshipful Brother Alfred Lee JP, the deputy Grand Master of Ireland, and dedicated by Worshipful Brother Reverend Raymond Thompson. A successful evening was enjoyed by all those in attendance.

Official opening 12th April 2002
(L to R) Worshipful Brother Reverend Raymond Thompson, Right Worshipful Brother Roy Kells MBE County Fermanagh Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Jim Nixon District Master Enniskillen, Right Worshipful Brother Alfred Lee Deputy Grand master of Ireland, Reverend Geoff Bridle Cleenish and Mullaghdun parishes.