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Pride of Ballynafeigh L.O.L. 837 This lodge was originally part of Derriaghy District, County Antrim, which comprised thirteen lodges. Although there is evidence to suggest that the District Lodge itself was formed in 1798, the earliest reference one can find to L.O.L. 837 as part of that District is in 1856, when they took the title of Mosside L.O.L. 837. At some later stage the warrant became dormant, but again the records show that it was renewed to Pro. tan Phillips on 1 June 1882, still as part of No. 10 District Derriaghy. Subsequently the warrant again became dormant, for the lodge next appears in the records under its present title as part of No. 10 District Ballynafeigh, where their first meeting was held in the hall on 23 March, 1950 with Worshipful Master Thomas Grant presiding. The lodge banner having been badly damaged on 12 July, 1951, a new one was dedicated in the Orange Hall and unfurled by Mrs. Maynard Sinclair. Also present was Lady Smyles who husband, like that of Mrs. Maynard Sinclair, was a Member of Parliament at Westminster, and both of these gentlemen were tragically lost in the sinking of the Princess Victoria. The banner then unfurled was to last for fourteen years, after which a thirdone was unfurled and dedicated at the Park Avenue Hotel on 22 June 1965. On the reverse of this banner was the portrait of the late Pro, Alfred Downey, who was a tireless worker on behalf of both lodge and District, particularly in his fund raising efforts in support of the Orange cause in the Milltown and Edendcrry areas. On the front of the banner was depicted Dan Winter's cottage, a subject which merits further elaboration in view of its historical significance. The French writer de Latocnaye described an encounter with a group of Orangemen in the time of Dan Winter in his book "A Frenchman's Walk Through Ireland 1796-1797': 'On the way to Armagh I passed through a superb country, there is a charming valley, and well wooded near Tandraget. Between this town and Armagh I met a company of Orangemen, as they ave called, wearing Orange Cockades, and some of them having ties the same colour. The peasantry seemed very much afraid of them.' Dan Winter's Cottage was the actual birthplace of the Orange Order in Ireland and the scene of the emergence of what we would recognise today as the 'private lodge' for the first time in the United Kingdom. Prior to September 1795, there had been some sporadic violence between groups of Protestants and Roman Catholics in the Loughgall area of Armagh, which culminated on a September's day with the convergence of Roman Catholics from Armagh and the surrounding counties on Faughart Hill, Loughgall. with the intention of capturing the Diamond Hill opposite, which could then have been used as a strong military position to drive out the Protestant population from the surrounding area. Their objective was known in advance, and the local 'Peep O'Day' Boys, together with Protestant friends fromTyrone, joined battle for control of the hill, with the result that the rebels were routed. On the same evening, at Dan Winter's Cottage, situated nearby, those same loyalists, though few in number, formed a circle by handclasp and swore their unending allegiance to their faith whatever the circumstances, and it was from the Tyrone men present that the first Orange Lodge in ireland, still known as Dyan L.O.L. No. 1, was formed on that fateful day in 1795. It was fitting that among the notables at the unfurling of the banner showing the building so dear to the hearts of Ulster Orangemen, was the great great grandson of Dan Winter himself. Special mention must be made of such dedicated brethren associated with thelodge as W. Bro. Thomas Grant, past master of the lodge, past Deputy District Master of the District Lodge, District Master of the R.A.P.C. No. 10 District, past Chairman of the City of Belfast Loyal Orange Widows Fund, and current Chairman of the Hall Management C.ommittee, for many years and even yet unceasing in his efforts to promote Orangeism and all else connected with it. One cannot forget either names like Bro. Fred Ferguson. now deceased, or Bro. Herbert Hughes, both very loyal servants over the years. Special tribute must also be paid to the close relationship which has existed for a considerable time between the members of this lodge and the ladies of No. 5 Ladies District, also domiciled in the hall, and No. 7 Royal Black Chapter District. Today the lodge is the strongest in Ballynafeigh District, consisting as it does mainly of young members drawn largely from South Belfast, Newtownbreda and the Mealough areas. Close ties are still maintained between the lodge and the original District at Derriaghy. The lodge has a great reputation, and deservedly so, for they show an unfailing generosity in supporting worthwhile causes. On the social scene, it is again a very active lodge, involved in many events, now mainly socials and dances, although in past years when these were more fashionable, theircoach tours to such venues as Donagal, Co. Londonderry, and County Louth, were very well supported. |
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