Ballykeel Defenders LOL 417

21/03/2026

19/03/2026

01/03/2026

We're joining up with Ballykeel Defenders LOL 417 to host a Table Quiz in Craigantlet Orange Hall on Friday 20th March at 7.30pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend this fun, family event with ideal team sizes to be between 4-6 people.

Supper will be included in the price of £5 per person and everyone is welcome.

19/12/2025

A very Happy Christmas to all from the WM & Officers & Members of Ballykeel Defenders LOL 417, Holywood.🎄🎅🏼🎁

May God bless you all during this special time as we remember Christ’s birth and enjoy time with family and friends, always remembering those no longer with us.

‘Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.’

09/11/2025

🌹 Remembrance Day 2025 🌹

Today, we remember with pride and gratitude the brave brethren of Ballykeel Defenders LOL 417 who answered their country’s call during the Great War of 1914–1918 and subsequent conflicts.

Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. We honour those who served, were wounded, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We Will Remember Them.”

Lest We Forget🌹

14/10/2025

Barn Dancing is back at Craigantlet on Saturday 18th October. Join us from 7.30pm for a family friendly evening with Doreen & Ronnie guiding you through the steps.

It's just £10 per person and children are free. A light supper will also be served.

Everyone welcome.

01/09/2025

🟠🔵 ORANGE VICTIMS DAY 🟠🔵

Today our Institution pauses for Orange Victims Day to remember the 343 Brethren and 1 Sister who were killed during the ‘Troubles’.

This 1st of September, a date drawn from the worst atrocity to befall our Institution when, in 1975, Five Brethren were murdered at Tullyvallen Orange Hall, we remember our Brethren in Tullyvallen on the 50th Anniversary of that heinous act.

Our Flag at Ballykeel Orange Hall flying poignantly at half mast today in Remembrance.

Revelation 2:10 “Faithful unto death” 📖

22/07/2025

Members of the Orange Institution, our families, friends, supporters and a great many tourists enjoyed a Glorious Twelfth. Major events were held in 18 venues with tens of thousands taking part and many more spectating. Faced with no bad news to report, local print and digital media outlets instead....

10/07/2025

𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 - 𝗗𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 🟠🔵🥁

We are very much looking forward to the Annual Battle of the Boyne, 12th July Celebrations on Saturday, in Dundonald as we parade once again with our good friends Ballykeel Conservative Flute Band.

We will be joined by the other Lodges & Bands from Bangor, Holywood, Newtownards & Upper Ards (Peninsula) Districts.

• Main Parade is due to start at 12:15pm from the main field at Dundonald High School.

• Platform proceedings at 2:30pm with lots of festivities and entertainment within the High School grounds.

• Return Parade at 4:30pm.

It promises to be another great day for everyone to enjoy, with the weather also looking very promising! ☀️😀 Enjoy!

01/07/2025

Battle of the Somme – We Will Remember Them🌹

On this day, the 1st July we pause to remember the thousands of brave soldiers who fought and fell at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War, where courage, sacrifice, and unimaginable loss left a lasting mark on our history.

Today, we honour their memory and reaffirm our promise: We Will Remember Them.

24/06/2025

Funding Opportunity for Bands – Now Open!

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, supported by the Department for Communities, has reopened its Musical Instruments for Bands Scheme.

🎶 Grants of up to £10,000 are available
📅 Deadline: Friday 1st August 2025

This is a fantastic opportunity for marching bands to upgrade or purchase new instruments and continue their musical development.

🔗 Apply now via the Arts Council NI website:
https://artscouncil-ni.org/funding-for-organisations/musical-instruments-for-bands

📣 Spread the word with your Lodge, band members, and the local community – let’s make the most of this valuable support.

22/06/2025

Our 11th July family fun night is back at Craigantlet Orange Hall.

Join us on Friday 11th July from 7pm when we host a Barn Dance and Barbecue. Outside the hall, we'll have a bouncy castle and children's games, and a visit from the ice cream van, before the night is finished off with the lighting of our bonfire.

Entry to the event is £10 per adult, payable at the door, with no charge for children.

We look forward to welcoming everyone from the Craigantlet community back for this annual event.