For a Brief introduction into Junior Orangeism click here.

Orange lodges for boys were in existence in Belfast in the latter part of the 19th century. But it is difficult to be accurate about the date of the formation of the first lodge due to the fact that in the early years accurate records were not kept. However, it is certain that there were lodges in existence in the 1880s. The lodges had no corporate existence being in the total care of the senior lodge which sponsored them.

There were many juvenile lodges in the Belfast area prior to the outbreak of the First World War and it was around this time that other lodges became apparent throughout Ulster. In 1918 it was generally agreed that an association of junior or juvenile lodges would be a desirable thing. With the intention of founding such a body a number of brethren of private lodges, with associated junior lodges, met together on the invitation of Bro. Thomas Henderson, the famous Shankill Alderman and for many years M.P. in the old Stormont Parliament, and Bro. Robert Hamilton to explore the ways and means of bringing this about.

This meeting had the desired effect and was responsible for the formation of the Junior Orange Association. As a result of the meeting the first organised parade and excursion under the leadership of these brethren took place in 1919 to Holywood in Co. Down.

Form 1918 to 1925 the Associated functioned as an organisation distinct form the Loyal Orange Order. At the Grand Lodge meeting in 1925 the responsibility of the oversight of the Association was adapted by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland and officially the Junior Orange Association came into being to be amicably controlled by a Junior Executive Committee appointed by the Grand Lodge. Coincidental with this a Belfast County Committee was set up with Bro. Hamilton as Chairman and four District Committees were also formed.

The rapid growth of the Association made it necessary to divide up into District Lodges and in 1930 the Belfast Junior County Lodge formed. The first County Master was Bro. Hugh McMillan and the Deputy Master, Bro. Hugh Armstrong. By 1939 Belfast County had 4,314 members, as against 1,673 in 1932 , and 94 Lodges. Districts in East Down and Loughgall were attached to the Belfast County.

The first Belfast County demonstration was held on Easter Tuesday 1931 and from that date the County Master, Bro. Hugh McMillan, of Duncairn Junior L.O.L. 53, travelled throughout Northern Ireland to explain the necessity of having a junior lodge and this led to the growth of Junior Orangeism in the Thirties.

The second World War of 199-45 wrought havoc with the movement and many lodges were compelled to cease working, but the loyalty of the junior brethren was not lacking and many rallied to the colours. When the War ended some of them became valued members of the Loyal Orange Institution. In memory of those junior brethren who give their lives in the War the movement made a bed in the Ulster Hospital for women and children. This Hospital is now at Dundonald in East Belfast.

Bro. Hugh McMillan, who had guided the Association from 1930, died in 1946, and his successor in office was the Deputy Master, Bro. Hugh Armstrong. Bro. Armstrong (1946-1949), Bro John Hamilton (1949-1950), and Bro. Joseph Wilkinson (1950-1951), as successive County Masters, served the Association so well that it thrived under their guidance.

They had the help and encouragement of many devoted brethren and in 1949 a new District was formed in Ballyclare and it, and Portadown District No.2, was taken in under the care of the Belfast Junior County.

Service

Bro. William McCrea, was elected as County Master in 1951 when Bro. Joseph Wilkinson, after many years of fine service to the Association, was compelled on health grounds to resign the position. Under Bro. McCrea's leadership there was a steady growth in the size and influence of the Association. Shortly after he took office a new District Lodge was set up in Larne to come under the jurisdiction of the Belfast County.

In 1958, the rate of expansion was such that a new Junior County was founded, the Armagh Junior County Lodge. This move necessitated a new grouping of a number of lodges and as a result of this the Junior Districts of Portadown No.2, Mid-Ulster No.3 and Tandragee severed their connection with the Belfast Junior County to become part of Armagh County.

In 1962 Belfast County received a new District, Limavady No.1. It should, perhaps, be pointed out that the Belfast Districts have country lodges attached to them, though the day could easily come when these lodges, convenient to Belfast, will form Districts to cater for their own geographical areas.

Progress continued in the Belfast County in the Sixties and on the sudden death of Bro. William McCrea in October, 1963, Bro. Thomas R. Boyle, Earl of Erne Junior L.O.L. 106, became County Master. Unfortunately, Bro. Boyle prior to his death in 1966 suffered various illnesses but with his sheer determination and love for the Junior movement he served the Belfast County faithfully.

He was succeeded by Bro. William Chesney, of Britannia Junior LOL 32, Sandy Row, who until his death in 1971 endeavoured to extend the work of the County Lodge and became well known to many senior and junior brethren for his great interest in athletics, soccer, and swimming within the Junior movement.

On Wednesday June 23, 1965, Junior Orangeism expanded once again when a further link was added to "the chain" in Ballynahinch Orange Hall, with the information of the Junior County Lodge of Down.

Bro. Ralph Ludlow assumed the office of County Master of Belfast in 1971 and until 1974 experienced perhaps the most difficult years ever for Junior Orangeism. The outbreak of the troubles in Northern Ireland brought problems which never previously existed. During these years progress was difficult and his holding operation at a time of personal illness was appreciated by those associated with the junior movement.

Bro. John McCrea, after a period of 14 years as County Secretary of the Belfast County, became County Master of Belfast in 1974 and served in that office until 1984. Bro. Brownlee who was County Master of Armagh from its formation in 1958 until 1977 was responsible for the steady progress throughout the country with the assistance of Bro. George Proctor who was his deputy during that period.

Saturday May 26, 1973 brought another link in "the chain" with the formation of the County Lodge of Tyrone. This brought the Districts of North, South, and West Tyrone, together under the leadership of Bro. John Hunter as County Master. Londonderry County was formed in 2002 under the leadership of Brother Harold Glendining, a long serving member of Junior Orangism.

Milestone

The formation of Tyrone County Lodge marked a tremendous milestone in the fortunes of the Junior movement, not only for the Tyrone brethren themselves, but also for the whole Junior Association; for it was the dedication and foresight of the Tyrone Officers in getting another County Lodge "off the growing" that made possible the formation of the Junior Grand Lodge of Ireland.

The Junior Grand Lodge of Ireland was formed in Sandy Row Orange Hall, Belfast, on March 29, 1974 when many distinguished brethren from the Orange Institution in England, Scotland, and Ireland were present for this historic event. The formation of the Grand Lodge was pressed by Most Wor. Bro. Capt. Sir George A. Clark, Bart., from the early days when he was Grand Master of the senior movement. And his Grand Secretary, Rt. Wor. Bro. Walter Williams, J.P., was instructed to investigate all the possible means by which this Grand Lodge could be achieved.

Bro. Williams as Chairman/Secretary of the old Junior Orange Executive Committee worked hard to achieve a co-ordination of Junior Orangeism in Northern Ireland. The selection of Bro. Boal as the first Grand Master was an expression of the confidence which the Officers in the four County Lodges had in him. It was also recognition of his hard work in Junior Orangeism for many years and of his leadership skills. Whilst the business side of the Grand Lodge was controlled from the Grand Secretary's office by Bro. Williams and his staff the Junior Grand Lodge required a Secretary to administer its affairs and Bro. John McCrea was appointed to this position.

Bro. Boal continued in his office as Grand Master until 1978 when he decided to make way for his deputy from 1974, Bro. Ralph Ludlow a former County Master of Belfast. In that year Bro. McCrea, following the resignation of Bro. Boal, decided to step down and the position of Secretary was entrusted to his Deputy, Bro. Thomas R. Haire. During his term of office Bro. Boal won the hearts of many officers and junior brethren throughout the Province for his kindness and understanding and together with the Grand Secretary established further links with sisters and brethren in England and Scotland for the advancement of the junior movement.

In 1975 for the first time ever the officers of the Junior movements in England, Ireland, and Scotland got together to endeavour to improve the links between the respective Grand Lodges and exchange ideas and visits. The International Junior Orange Association was established in 1976 and Bro. Boal and Bro. McCrea brought together sisters and brethren form overseas who were present at the Triennial Council Meetings in Belfast. This provided a forum for an exchange of ideas and means of establishing a system of communication.

During the last decade the Junior Grand Lodge has been served in the position of Grand Master by Bro. Ralph Ludlow, Bro. Thomas McCullough (Tandragee), Bro. John McCrea and Bro.Kenneth Wilson, of Armagh. The present Grand Master W.Bro Thomas R. Haire was installed in November 1990.