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Battle of the Diamond

Loughgall, 21st September 1795

Nestled in the townland of Grainge O`Neilland of County Armagh is the crossroads known as the Diamond. For a number of years leading up to 1795 there was agrarian and political conflict between Protestants and Roman Catholics. This eventually culminated on the 21st September 1795 in a skirmish now known as the Battle of the Diamond.

For three days before the 21st September, encounters between the Defenders (Roman Catholics) and Protestants were becoming more frequent. This came to a head when about 300 Defenders occupied Faughart Hill overlooking Dan Winter`s cottage on the Diamond Crossroads. The Defenders attacked his homestead setting fire to the thatch, forcing Dan Winter and his family to retreat to the Diamond Hill at the rear of the cottage. Here he was joined by many of his friends and neighbours to defend their position.

A stalemate ensued for some hours, allowing Dan Winter and his followers to strengthen their position. The Defenders, unwisely, deciding on a frontal attack up the steep hill, were met by a volley of musket fire. This concentrated assault caused the Defenders to break ranks, which in turn led to a disordered retreat down the steep slope, allowing Dan Winter and his small band of Protestants to charge at the fleeing Defenders ensuring the rout was complete.

"The person who commanded the Defenders was known as Captain McGarry, from White Cross, near Armagh. There were about 300, mostly strangers. Quigley did not appear, but he was the person that conducted them there. McGarry and about 16 people were killed. I afterwards heard there were many more. So ended the Diamond fight, which was in Ruddock`s Grange, about one mile from my house, and these are the facts which cannot be contradicted."

In the evening of the same day, Dan Winter and his followers which included James Wilson and James Sloan, formed a hand-clasped circle at the burned out remains of the cottage and the embryo of the Orange Order was formed.