MANORCUNNINGHAM TEMPERANCE LOL 1117
Lodge History
Records show that Orange Lodges have existed in the Manorcunningham area
from the early years of the l9th Century. In 1823 L.O.L. No. 1441 was working
the District with Bro. John Davis as Worshipful Master. In 1835 L.O.L. 346
whose W.M. was James Billington Marshall in the District of Lifford was
operating here. Another lodge, which operated in Manorcunningham, was Mondooey
L.O.L. 1866. It ceased to function in the 1860's and the number is now working
in Culmore.
The present lodge in Manorcunningharn L.O.L. 1117 came into existence in
l919 having been started by Bro. Algeo a native of County Fermanagh. It
met in the local Church of Ireland hall. During' the troubles' of the early
1920's the original warrant and minutes were destroyed. The lodge flourished
in spite of many difficulties during 1920's and 1930's under the leadership
of the late Wor. Bro. David Hunter who immigrated to Canada in 1924 and
the late Wor. Bro. R.J. Fleming who was Worshipful Master from 1924 to 1938.
During the Second World War 1939-45 the late Wor. Bro. Herbert Platt and
Wor. Bro. Robert Hamilton carried on the work of the lodge. Many members
of the lodge served in H.M. Forces during the war.
After the war there was a large influx of new members and on 27th June 1951,
Bro. Edward McIntyre, City of Londonderry Grand Master opened the new Orange
Hall. This hall was further extended in 1954. At present the members have
undertaken a scheme for improvement and refurbishment in order to improve
facilities.
The present WM is Bro. Harry McNair and under his leadership the lodge is
making steady progress. Plans are on hand to improve the facilities in the
Orange hall even further.
The lodge is very proud of its pipe band which was formed in 1935, having
replace the orginal flute band which was formed in 1912 by the local Unionist
club. In 1988 the band won the All Ireland grade 4 championship and the
same year won the grade 4A drumming championship at the Cowal games in Scotland.
The band has been competing ever since and has won many trophies.In 2003,
they won 15 trophies which includedthe grade 4B Ulster championship. The
band is under the guidance of Pipe Major Bro. Gordon Carson and Pipe Sergeant
Bro. Robert Wallace and Drum Sergeant Bro. Alan T Laird.