Speaking at the re-opening, Carla Lockhart said:

“I count it my privilege to be with you here this evening at this very significant and special occasion, the Official Re-Opening and Re-Dedication of Corcrain Orange Hall.

As we all know Orangeism has its roots in the County of Armagh, approximately 5 miles from where we stand tonight.

And it is at events such as this, when we are celebrating the renewal of that Orange presence within our community, that I believe we can take great comfort in the enduring strength of the Orange family, of the Orange heritage, and the very positive role the Loyal Orders play within our community.

From 1795 to 2022. And today, as the guardians of this rich heritage, the onus is on us to ensure that our Orange tradition is maintained. That through the Orange Order, the message of the reformed Protestant faith shines a bright light of hope within this community. That through the Orange Order, our cultural identity flourishes, through positive promotion and by demanding the respect it deserves.

And that is why I am passionate about supporting the refurbishment of Orange Halls. It is why I am delighted that party colleagues, Paul Givan and Edwin Poots, both have brought forward funding support through the Northern Ireland Executive to support rural halls. Along with other groups, that funding has been accessed by Lodges to help transform their halls.

Renewing the physical infrastructure of an organisation is vital to its sustainability and growth, and I know that here at Corcrain Orange Hall, the brethren of Corcrain Purple Rocket LOL 339 will have very bright days ahead in this wonderfully refurbished building.

I wish the Lodge well in the days ahead. “