Suspected fragment of human skull discovered in Belfast Orange Hall

A fragment of a suspected human skull has been discovered in an Orange Hall in Belfast.

Part of a historic skullcap is believed to have been found in a former storage room at Clifton Street Orange Hall in the city’s north during a clean-up on Thursday.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed it was notified of the discovery of an “apparent human skull” in the area on Thursday afternoon.

A PSNI spokesman said: “The skull appears to be human remains. This is not being treated as suspicious at this time.”

Orange Hall is working to organize old records and make them more accessible to those researching family history.

Both the Orange Order and the Royal Black Preceptory are known to have a series of secret rituals, known as degrees, which members participate in.

It is believed that the bones may have been displayed in one of these rituals in the past.

However, a member of the orders stressed to the PA news agency that such practices no longer happen and have not happened for some time.

DUP councillor Brian Kingston told PA: “I have spoken to the chairman of the Hall Management Committee and the museum curator at the Belfast Orange Hall, Clifton Street.

“As part of the preparation of a historical library for the hall, items in an old storeroom were being examined.

“Those who were doing this work found a wooden box which, when opened, contained a human skull and two other bones.

“These are very old items as this warehouse has not been used for over 50 years.

“These bones would likely have been used many, many decades ago as artifacts for display purposes, but such bone items are not used in modern times.”

Mr Kingston said that on behalf of the Hall Management Committee he reported the discovery to the PSNI.

He said officers visited the site on Thursday night and were satisfied it was a historic item.

“Once the police formally confirm that these bones are of no interest to them, arrangements will be made to bury them in a Christian ceremony,” he said.