Ó Cuív grants €250,000 to promote Orange Order

Another symbolic milestone in the peace process will be reached tomorrow when the grandson of one of Ireland's most iconic republicans will announce the State's first substantial grant to the Orange Order

Éamon Ó Cuív, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has given approval for funding of almost €250,000 to a company that has been set up by Orange lodges based along the Border

Ó Cuív is a grandson of Éamon de Valera, considered by some to be the father of modern Irish republicanism

The gesture is being portrayed as a sign of the growing maturity of political relationships on the island as well as of the increased acceptance of other traditions

Éamon de Valera

born in the New York Nursery and Child's Hospital in New York City in 1882

Vivion de Valera, a Spanish-Cuban settler and sculpto

served three times as Irish head of government

rincipal author of the Constitution

a teacher of mathematics

as President

serving two terms