FOUR Orangemen are travelling to Dublin to challenge the stereo type that their brethren are sectarian bigots dedicated to marching through areas where they are not wanted.
The men will address an Irish Association meeting in Buswell's Hotel on Friday. The group includes Mr Henry Reid, a farmer from Co Tyrone.
Mr Reid said: "We are very much looking forward to explaining what we stand for to a Southern audience. They only know us from the television. They probably see quick flashes of angry clashes between nationalist residents and the order on the Ormeau Road in Belfast or in the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
"They don't know us at all. They never get a chance to meet or see us. We want to show that we don't have horns and the majority of us don't rant and rave. We are decent, sensible down to earth people who want to communicate with others."
Mr Reid said that Orangeism, like republicanism, suffered from a reactionary but vocal minority who were unrepresentative of the movement as a whole.
He accused the media of concentrating on controversial Orange marches. Only 0.3 per cent of parades are difficult. There is no trouble at 99.7 per cent of them. Yet the media never mention the peaceful parades.
Catholics in Northern Ireland often know Orangemen personally. They might socialise or work with them, so they don't fall for the bigot stereotype. But people in the South don't have that opportunity, so they could find the television images misleading."
Mr Reid said he would not be defending the behaviour of some loyalist bands which take part ill Orange marches. "I will not defend the indefensible. Some of their activities are absolutely disgraceful."
"They urinate against doors and cars and they drink far too much. Most often, they are not members of the Orange Order. They are certainly not representative and they don't understand the Orange ethos. They behave more like Rangers supporters than Orangemen. Most Orangemen aren't skinheads with earrings."
Mr Reid said that most Orangemen were hard working and that many members were professional people. "We could not be described as belonging to the category of the unemployed or unemployable. The order contains many college lecturers and even a consultant in the Royal Victoria Hospital. Orangemen tend to be thrifty busybodies, particularly in rural areas. They would not like to be found in the dole office."
The three other Orangemen travelling to Dublin include a student from Co Leitrim, a history teacher from Co Armagh and a Presbyterian minister from Co Antrim. Two of the speakers are members of the Grand Lodge the order's ruling body.
They have the approval of the Grand Lodge to address the meeting in Dublin. "There is no reason why we shouldn't go to Dublin," Mr Reid said. "After all, the Ulster Unionist Party leader, David Trimble, did it earlier this week.
"We hope to explain about the order to our audience and to answer whatever questions they have. But it will be a learning process for us, too. We want to listen to their views and perceptions."
The four speakers will cover the principles behind the order, its membership profile, Orangeism in rural areas, and the "Siege of Drumcree" last summer.