| DISCRIPTION | TYPE |
INFO
|
| HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF THE DIAMOND - LISTEN |
 |
3
MINUTES 44 SECONDS
|
| BATTLE SONG - LISTEN |
|
24
SECONDS
|
Background
To Battle Reenactment
Dan Winter's House was placed on the list
of buildings of Special Architectural / Historical Interest by the D.O.E.
during 1995.
A grant was applied for, to help with the restoration and thatching of this historical house. A cultural committee was formed to over-see the extra funding needed also to assist with the work to be carried out.
Clearance
work began at the rear of house during 1998. In November of 1999 the builders
commenced to repair the main structure of the
house. The thatcher began to thatch the roof in July of 2000, and on the
21st
of September 2000 the finished house was decicated by Rev.William Bingham,B.A.
B.D. County Grand Chaplain, County Armagh Grand Lodge.
Re-opening
Of Dan Winter's Cottage
The re-opening key was presented by M.W.Bro. Robert Saulters,Grand Master,Grand
Orange Lodge of Ireland, who also gave the address. Also taking part were,
Rev.
David Hilliard,B.Th. Rector of Tartaraghan and Diamond.
The evening dedication service was well attended by visiting Orangemen, Orangewomen and Junior Orange . The sun shone beautifully for the open-air service in the farmyard, everyone enjoyed tea later in the Diamond Memorial Orange Hall,and also around the large open fire in the historic house,this made all the organising worth while.
Battle
Reenactment
It was decided at one of the cultural committee meetings to have an afternoon's
entertainment for everyone, as a way of saying Thank you, to all who had
supported our project of restoration. As a result the re-enactment of
the Battle of The Diamond took place on Saturday 23rd of September 2000.
An Orange parade was organised starting at Redmonds Corner to the Battlefield,light refreshments and musical enterment was enjoyed before the re-enactment took place.
The
sun shone on that afternoon when the Defenders came down from Faughert
Hill, crossed the marsh drain in front of Dan Winter's
House. They made their way up the field and attacked the cottage at the
cross roads (model in field) setting the thatch on fire.
The
Protestants,who had been firing from the Diamond hill, made their way
down the hill to the Battle-field where fighting took place between the
two factions.The Defenders were defeated ,when Col.
Blacker came along with his men on horseback the Defenders were being
put out of the Diamond.
We
must not forget Peggy Richardson who carried powder shot in her petticoats
for the men on the Diamond Hill, word had gone out
that their supply of ammunition was getting low.
When
the Battle was fought and won in the valley between the two hills the
men rejoiced in the field,while the five men, Wilson, Winter, Sloan, Sinclair
and Irwin made their way down to Dan Winter's farmyard home to have their
discussion on the forming of their new
organisation in peace and quiet. This we now know as the Orange
Order.
The day ended with everyone joining with crossed hands in a prayer circle on the original battle field, this was a moving experence.
The Oranges Lodges then paraded back to their respective buses and cars,the afternoon was enjoyed by all.
A video of the dedication and the re-enactment can be purchased at Dan Winter's House.
