For a Brief introduction into Junior Orangeism click here.

The McCrea Memorial Trust was formed in May 1964 to perpetuate the memory of Right Worthy Brother William McCrea, a former County Master with the Belfast Junior Orange County Lodge.

Our premises at 84 Warren Road, Ballywllllam, Donaghadee was officially opened on 17 September 1966. We are situated in 1.25 acres of ground on the A2 between Groomsport and Donaghadee overlooking the beautiful County Down coast.

The Trust provides holiday accommodation primarily for members of the Junior Orange Association with outside youth organisations being considered for vacant/unused weeks or weekends. We provide accommodation for 32 persons in three bedrooms with ten bunk beds in each and one bedroom with two single beds.

We have five Trustees with the day to day management delegated to a Committee representative of Senior Officers from the Junior Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland and its County and District Lodges. This Committee elect from its members a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Each of these offices are held for a four year period before re-election.

We are financed by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland which levy all its members ten pence per year, a £2 levy on each Junior Orange Lodge and subscriptions from various sources including Offerings from Church Services, personal subscriptions, GAYE, Flag Days etc. In addition the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast have an additional levy on their members which is most appreciated as do some District Lodges within the County of Down.

How can you help?
You can help by sending a Lodge/personal donation; by joining at your workplace the Give As You Earn Scheme (tax free); by donating all or part of the Offering at an Orange Church Service to us or by leaving the Trust a legacy/bequest.

How to Maximise Your Charitable Donations:
COVENANTS - To be valid a Covenant must be for a minimum of four fixed annual amounts the payment of which can be spread over 12 months so long as the total equals the agreed annual amount.

GIFT AID - A taxpayer can contribute a minimum amount of £250 per year to a Charity and the Charity can recover the tax. The advantage of this method of contributing is that there is no long term commitment. There is a form [R190 (SD)1 which the donor obtains from Inland Revenue and passes to the Charity.

GIVE AS YOU EARN - This is operated by a number of employers where a contributor agrees to have an amount of money deducted from the payroll each month and forwarded to a charity. Again this is tax free.

Any donations should be made payable to McCrea Memorial Trust and forwarded to The Treasurer, McCrea Memorial Trust, 84 Warren Road, Ballywilliam, Donaghadee, BT21 OPQ.