If there are any Orangemen at tomorrow's unveiling of a special plaque commemorating their founding in Dawson Street in Dublin, they will be hard to spot. Because of all the rowing the Dublin and Wicklow Lodge, prime movers in the original march plan, is not only boycotting the now-much-smaller event, but has asked the Grand Lodge in Belfast not to send a representative. Head office has agreed. One of the more amusing rows over the whole business came to Quidnunc's attention this week.
At a meeting of that select group, the Bar Council, a proposal was made that the council should support the Orange march. All hell broke loose as barristers of a nationalist persuasion laid into barristers of a unionist bent as only members of their profession can. The former were furious, the latter pleased. After the melee had gone on for some time the proposer rose to his feet to address the gathering. Then the situation was reversed - nationalists laughed and unionists growled. He had asked them did they know the date: April 1st.
