Grand Royal Arch Purple Chapter of Ireland

The Royal Arch Purple InstitutionThe Royal Arch Purple Institution (or ‘RAP’) is an appendant body to the Orange Order. It was given permission to use the word ‘Royal’ by King Ernest Augustus of Hanover (Duke of Cumberland). Branches of the Royal Arch Purple Order are referred to as ‘Chapters’ (rather than ‘Lodges’). Generally speaking, these Chapters exist solely in order to confer a single degree – namely the Royal Arch Purple Degree. It is sometimes jokingly referred to as ‘The Ride on the Goat’. Almost every single Orange Lodge in Ireland has a Royal Arch Purple Chapter attached to it. The Royal Arch Purple Institution of Ireland is an autonimous, self-governing body that operates under its own ‘Grand Chapter’.