The Twelfth – the reason for the season
The Twelfth……just why do we continue to mark this date?
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The Bonfire Tradition
The Bonfire and Beacon tradition has become synonymous with Protestant celebrations during the Twelfth fortnight in Ulster. Until recently the Eleventh Night bonfire, that glowed in the night sky across the country, were organized on an ad-hoc, but nevertheless, annual basis. They were primarily held to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne, the centre-piece of…
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Why do the Apprentice Boys parade at Easter?
I’m sure you know why the Apprentice Boys of Derry (ABOD) parade in December (To mark the Closing of the Gates) and in August (to mark the Relief of Derry). But why do they parade on Easter Monday?? Well it’s not actually Easter itself that they’re commemorating, but that public holiday conveniently falls closely to…
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The Death of King William III – 8th March 1702
Today marks the death of King William III (although taking into account the change to the calendars it’s actually 19th March!). But I thought you might be interested in a few lines about his passing. Hope you enjoy!
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The Comber Letter
On it’s own, the Comber Letter could have been taken as a hoax. But when considered in the context of other events at the time, it took a much more sinister turn. If you want to read a little more of this background you can find it here “Protestant Fears in 1688”. In the First…
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Protestant Fears in 1688
Following the death of his brother Charles II, James II became King of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1685. James had one great objective in regard to Ireland and that was to convert it to Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholics benefited, and many obtained considerable estates. The country exhibited a gloomy scene of oppression and dejection,…
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The Battle of Newtownbutler 1689
The Battle of Newtownbutler is one of the forgotten fights of the Irish Jacobite Wars.
Fought before either the Boyne or Aughrim, Newtownbutler was relevant, not because of its size, but because it represented a turning point in the war.
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Happy Birthday William of Orange!!!
William Henry III, (Willem Hendrik in Dutch) Prince of Orange was born on 4th November 1650. A Dutchman by birth, part of the House of Orange, he would later reign as King of England, Scotland and Ireland until his death in 1702. William’s reign came at a precarious time in Europe when religious divide dominated…
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On The Green Grassy Slopes of the Boyne
Some folks sing of mountains and valleysWhere the wild flowers abundantly growAnd some of the wave-crested billowsThat dash ‘neath the waters belowBut I’m going to speak of a riverAnd I hope in the chorus you’ll joinOf the deeds that were done by King WilliamOn the green grassy slopes of the Boyne Chorus:On the green grassy…
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The Breaking of the Boom
“28TH OF JULY, 1689! A day to be remembered with thanksgiving by the besieged in Derry as long as they live; for on this day we were delivered from famine and slavery.”
