<P> The Loyal Orange Institution , more commonly known as the Orange Order , is a Protestant fraternal order based primarily in Northern Ireland . It also has lodges in the Republic of Ireland , a Grand Orange Lodge in the Scottish Lowlands and other lodges throughout the Commonwealth , as well as in the United States and Togo . The Orange Order was founded in County Armagh in 1795 , during a period of Protestant -- Catholic sectarian conflict , as a Masonic - style fraternity sworn to maintain the Protestant Ascendancy . It is headed by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland , which was established in 1798 . Its name is a tribute to the Dutch - born Protestant king William of Orange , who defeated the army of Catholic king James II in the Williamite -- Jacobite War ( 1688 -- 1691 ) . Its members wear orange sashes and are referred to as Orangemen . The order is best known for its yearly marches , the biggest of which are held on or around 12 July ( ' The Twelfth ' ) . </P>
<P> The Loyal Orange Institution , more commonly known as the Orange Order , is a Protestant fraternal order based primarily in Northern Ireland . It also has lodges in the Republic of Ireland , a Grand Orange Lodge in the Scottish Lowlands and other lodges throughout the Commonwealth , as well as in the United States and Togo . The Orange Order was founded in County Armagh in 1795 , during a period of Protestant -- Catholic sectarian conflict , as a Masonic - style fraternity sworn to maintain the Protestant Ascendancy . It is headed by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland , which was established in 1798 . Its name is a tribute to the Dutch - born Protestant king William of Orange , who defeated the army of Catholic king James II in the Williamite -- Jacobite War ( 1688 -- 1691 ) . Its members wear orange sashes and are referred to as Orangemen . The order is best known for its yearly marches , the biggest of which are held on or around 12 July ( ' The Twelfth ' ) . </P>
member of ireland society founded in 1795 to uphold protestant religion
member of ireland society founded in 1795 to uphold protestant religion
the Orange Order
the Orange Order