Banntastic programme 2016

Ballymena

Portglenone

22 JUNE – 14 JULY 2016 PORTGLENONE

nt de 4 n e ep t No. d n e I istric n o en ge D l g rt n Po Ora

Plan to BE AT BANNTASTIC 2016 Wed 22nd June FESTIVAL LAUNCH – Braid Centre, Ballymena 1pm. 8pm. Origins of the Orange Seminar, Ind. Orange Order HQ Ballymoney Speakers – Mervyn Storey MLA Dep. IGM Dr. James Wilson Thur 23rd June Banners on Bann exhibition – Drumraw Ind. (10) – 5pm with Banner Workshop and Talk

by Billy McCaughern, local artist 7.30 pm Fri 24th June Exhibition on Lodge History 4.00pm – 7 pm then, Ulster Scots Evening ,BBQ and Family Fun Evening from 8pm at Killycoogan Ind. Orange Hall Sat 25th June ARMED FORCES DAY – Commemorating the Somme Exhibition and Open day hosted by Bushside Ind Flute Band, with music and refreshments BANDS ON BANN – Milltown Band Parade, Portglenone 8pm Sun 26th June Somme Commemorative Service Bushside Ind Orange Hall 3pm Mon 27th June Community Art Workshop Arch workshop – Portglenone OH – 5pm Decorating the Village 9PM Arch Raising - Portglenone Tues 28th June Historical Talk & Exhibition Knights of Malta – The ‘Scotch Black’, Ind. Orange HQ. Ballymoney – 8pm, Speakers inc. Tom Ferguson Thurs 30th June EXHIBITION FROM THE BANN TO THE SOMME, and Great War Great Memories Event 5 pm followed by Sounds of the Somme Evening & Somme Vigil 8pm Music by Rising Stour 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church Halls, Portglenone Fri 1st July Somme Memorial Event Act of Remembrance 7.30am followed by breakfast then Covenant Connections Conference 10 am – 3 pm 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church Halls Somme Parade – 8pm with Post Parade Exhibition & Talk - Protestant Hall, Ballymena Sat 2nd July War Walk & Breakfast – 3rd Portglenone Presbyterian Church Festival in the Forest – Poppy Picnic music by Rising Stour Bands on Bann – Killycoogan Ind Accordion Band Parade, Family Fun, and BBQ EXHIBITION - FROM THE BANN TO THE SOMME, held throughout the day in the village Sun 3rd July Somme Centenary Drumhead Service & Parade – 3pm Portglenone Mon 4th July Drumming Summer School running daily at McNeillstown Ind Orange Hall Bread n Jam Session Beacon ‘n Butties – Knights of Malta Beacon Event at Killcoogan Ind Orange Hall - 8pm music by Diana Culbertson and Blazing Bellows Tues 5th July Bread n Jam Session – Fun at Finvoy Keers Memorial Hall, Finvoy 8pm Wed 6th July Ulster Scots Language Summer School, for two days ILOL Headquarters Ballymoney.

Hosted by Anne Morrison-Smith, with Carnduff Competition and Entertainment Thurs 7th July Vintage in the Village – Portglenone Town Square 8pm Fri 8th July Drums along the River – Portglenone Village Square Sat 9th July Big Breakfast – ILOL Headquarters Ballymoney 9am entertainment by the Hounds of Ulster, hosted by Anne Morrison Smith Ulster Scots Gospel Concert - 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church Hall 8pm music by Low Country Boys Sun 10th July Boyne thanksgiving service ILOL County Grand Lodge of England, Liverpool 12.00 and locally Garryduff ILOL 15 Church Parade 2.45 pm to Garryduff Presbyterian Church at 3.30 pm.

Mon 11th July Ulster Scots Ceildh 1st Portglenone Church Hall 7.30 – 11.30pm music from Diana Culbertson and Blazing Bellows, with dancing led by Allister Scott Ceildh Band Traditional Eleventh Night Bonfire – Ahoghill lighting 12 midnight Tues 12th July Traditional Twelfth Celebrations – Assembly Field from 11.00am with Main Parade 1.00pm to Demonstration Field, Clady Road. Lambeg Tattoo- Mayboy Fife & Drum, Children’s Entertainment and Inflatables, Food refreshments and stalls and Somme Centenary area Return Parade - 4.30pm Wed 13th July Bus Trip to Scarva

Details correct when going to print, but slight changes may occur. To confirm details on all events please check www.banntastic.co.uk

Thanks for Being at BANNTASTIC 2016 This summer the Banks of the Bann is hosting an Ulster Scots spectacular, a festival of celebrations and commemoration showcasing the very best of local talent. The organisers of BANNTASTIC Twelfth Festival 2016, would like to welcome you to the area, and to our events, and hope you enjoy all that has been planned.

BANNTASTIC 2016 is

“A flagship festival which maximises the Twelfth celebrations; showcases the local Ulster Scots community and culture while educating, engaging and entertaining the public.”

It is ten years since the idea of developing the traditional events around the Twelfth of July was agreed by Portglenone Independent Orange District No. 4. The parades, bonfires and annual celebrations were used as a platform to promote the rich Ulster Scots culture, music and language associated with it.

Each year we have highlighted historical or cultural aspects which we see as a great way to explain to and include others in what we believe are important national events. This year it is the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Her Majesty’s Ninetieth Birthday Celebrations and Armed Forces Day which are being highlighted.

The Somme Anniversary is being marked by the launch of a special Commemorative badge and the presentation of new District Colours, as well as a series of Exhibitions and our Covenant Connections Conference.

Armed Forces Day gives us a chance to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces family: from current serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. Through our War Correspondence Post Cards to a special Drumhead Service and Parade we will recognise the contribution that the Armed Forces make and have made to the nation.

Finally many of our events will be part of wider national programs such as the Queen’s Birthday Celebrations, where we will give thanks for her reign and highlight its high points. So come and join us and join the rest of the nation as we celebrate, and commemorate together.

So why not check out our website www.banntastic.co.uk, and plan to BE AT BANTASTIC 2016. Follow us on facebook or twitter as we enjoy the range of artists and speakers – but remember the most important participant is you so plan to come and make it YOUR festival.

Hosting this year’s Twelfth, and the Banntastic Twelfth Festival is Portglenone Independent Orange District No.4, whose vision and hard work have made this all possible.

This year the District took some bold decisions to develop the festival and encompass a range of national celebrations, giving them a very distinctive Orange and Ulster Scots feel. We hope you enjoy the experience, learn more about the faith, culture and practice of this most unique Institution, and that if you like what you see you will consider joining us or at least joining in as we commemorate, and celebrate.

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WHO ARE THE

?

S T N E D N INDEPE Firstly we are just like you, part of the community, members of the church, workers, farmers, students. Men and women who choose to express their faith and culture through Orangeism. We feel that the events of the Glorious Revolution 1688 and the subsequent victory at the Boyne in 1690 protects our Protestant faith, underpins our British Constitution, and promotes our culture. Just as Americans celebrate the Fourth of July we mark a day which we feel is of importance even today.

Orangeism is interwoven into the fabric of this area, expressed in the colour and pageantry of the parades, and the sound and skill of the music marched to. These parades, and much of the culture which has developed around them are inspired by the military origins of the Orange Order with the first Lodge formed here in Portglenone in 1798. It was a “Marching Warrant” issued to Sergeant Cooksley of The Royal Regiment of Irish Artillery stationed here as part of the response to the United Irishmen’s Rebellion of 1798. The warrant travelled with the Regiment to India before returning to the Bann Valley where it remains as Milltown True Blues L.O.L. No. 205. That proud military tradition continues today as we mark the Williamite defence of the area at the Battle of Portglenone 1689 during the Bann Valley campaign, and then that other river which ran red with the blood of so many sons of Ulster – the Somme. Our new District Logo focuses on the first battle, while the Somme is commemorated in a specially struck badge available to buy during the festival.

Orangeism grew and flourished in the Bann Valley, with many lodges springing up. Times were not easy with bans on parades and sectarian attacks on members and their property but that old spirit remained firm. With democratic electoral reforms in the later 1800s, many Orangemen earnestly desired the same spirit of democracy to take hold of the Orange Order, but sadly it was not the case. Landed and business interests appeared more prominent than Protestant and popular principles. The issue of abuse at Roman Catholic institutions and the need for government inspections of Convents and laundries to protect those in them fired popular and media imagination. Many felt MPs elected by Orange votes did little to represent their interests and in 1902 a leading evangelical Protestant Thomas Henry Sloan was elected in South Belfast on a wave of popular Orange support.

When he was expelled for challenging the leadership, many lodges joined him becoming the Independent Orange Institution. The entire Portglenone District met and agreed to hand in their warrants and join this new Order, and while some wavered and returned that Independent District No.4 remains today.

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t n e d n e p e d n I The

ORANGE VISION

Today we are small but sure of where we are going, our Vision is clear.

“The Independent Loyal Orange Institution is energised by, and confidently expresses and promotes, the Reformed Faith and Heritage, through our Orange Fraternity.

Recognising the diversity of modern society, and maintaining our Independence from outside influence, we deny to no-one the rights we expect for ourselves.”

Our MISSION is “To actively demonstrate to all through education and example our sincere belief in the: Centrality and truth of the Reformed Faith, Vitality and relevance of our heritage and culture, Importance of maintaining Civil and Religious Liberty for the benefit of all.”

These modern words are in line with the sentiments and principles of our founding fathers who coined a set of mottos which remain with us today.

Protestantism, Not Politics. Principles, Not Party. Measures, Not Men. 5

Message from the

Imperial Grand Master As I embark on my first 12th as Imperial Grand Master in Portglenone my mind is cast back some Sixty years to this venue. It was my very first 12th July; I can remember going there with my father and Garryduff No 15 in a bus from Garryduff. Portglenone holds many memories for me on the 12th; I think it was here that I purchased my first football, so Portglenone holds many firsts for me.

The last time we paraded the town for our demonstration we had the most fantastic weather with ‘’wall to wall sunshine’’ here’s hoping that this year will be similar and that shirt sleeve order will be the dress of the day.

I know that the Portglenone District has been working very hard for the Twelfth this year and also for the months leading up to the day when many events have been organised under the banner of Banntastic Twelfth Festival.

Brethren, Sisters and everyone, these are fantastic events and what’s even better they are all free so come on, one and all get along and support the efforts of the Portglenone Brethren. Banntastic events are where you want to be from Mid-June to 14th July, be on the lookout in the press, Facebook and the ILOL website for details.

Let’s show the people that although we are a small organisation we can like our country’s football team punch above or weight and put on a good performance.

Finally Brethren, Sister, bandsmen and bandsgirls can I take this opportunity on behalf of Grand Lodge wish you all well for the 12th and looking forward seeing you all in Portglenone putting you best foot forward, let’s make it a Glorious One.

James Anderson Imperial Grand Master

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Twelfth Celebrations The culmination of our Festival will be the Glorious Twelfth, a day of celebrations and commemorations as we mark historical, cultural, religious and constitutional events.

Eleventh Bonfire Fun Day A beacon lighting and family alternative to the traditional Eleventh Bonfires, or a good way to prepare for the main Bonfires. Come enjoy a picnic, BBQ and childrens entertainment.

Twelfth Parades & Field

A Day of parades, music and pagentry.

From the opening of lodges and feeder parades into the village in the morning, Portglenone will come alive to the colour and music synonymous with Orangeism.

We invite the entire community to watch, and join us in the Field to learn more about why this day is special.

Family Funday & Funfair

Our different areas and stages allow us to provide a range of activities for all ages and tastes. The childrens funfair, a food village and the main platform all work together to give a real day out.

TUESDAY 12TH JULY Portglenone Independent Orange District No. 4 and the order of the day is now 11.00am 1.00pm

2.00pm 2.30pm 3.00pm 4.30pm

Parade assembles at field Townhill Road,Pportglenone Parade leaves Assembly Field Route - Townhill Road, Main Street, over the Bann Bridge to Demonstration Field Clady Road.

Ulster Scots Entertainment, Fun Fair and Family Fun Lambeg Drum Tattoo Platform Party, Resolutions and Speeches Parade Returns, route reversed 7

BATTLE OF

E N O N E L G T POR As we commemorate the Centenary of the Somme we remember the battle which happened along the banks of our own River Bann. While small in comparison it did represent the same spirit of courage, tenacity and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds that has come to define the fighting men of Ulster. Another interesting twist of history linking the two battles is that it was an ancestor of Major-General Sir Oliver Stewart Wood Nugent KCB DSO, the controversial Commanding Officer of the 36th Ulster Division, who led the Jacobite attack across the Bann. Colonel William Nugent son of the Earl of West Meath, secured boats and crossed the river in sufficient numbers to create a beachhead on the Co. Londonderry side.

It is such an important yet forgotten battle that as a District we have decided to research it and work to promote its recognition as a battle field, and site of historical interest. To that end we have adopted the Battle of Portglenone 1689, as our badge, and we are proud to be the custodians of such a courageous and conspicuous event. Indeed we are one of only a few parades which takes place on an authentic Williamite Battlefield. As we parade we are literally walking in the footsteps of our forbearers. Often the Orange is accused of triumphalism, of coat-trailing and causing offense, well we are proud of our history and we make no apology for it. However we can surely not be accused of triumphalism when we commemorate a battle which we technically lost! While our research has placed the Battle of Portglenone in its context and we realise that just as the first day of the Somme cannot be regarded as a victory, but in the long run it was crucial. We do not celebrate one side’s victory over another, we celebrate the triumph of freedom and democracy which the wars in which these respective battles featured eventually secured. We do not glorify war but commemorate the brave men who fought and died for a cause which we still espouse today.

The scene opens with the Break of Dromore March 14, 1689, where those loyal to King William attempted to halt the advance of the large professional Jacobite army into Ulster. The Protestant Associations of Ulster were county based bodies of men, led by the local gentry and aristocracy who had declared for the Prince of Orange.

They were a body of volunteers, farmhands and workers led by officers dismissed by James due to their Protestant faith.

Sir Arthur Rawdon whose fighting spirit and defiance had gained him the sobriquet “Cock of the North” led a few thousand men in arms, and made Coleraine their centre of operations. Lord Blaney marched from the city of 8

Armagh, with, seven troops of horse and eight companies of foot, having beaten and escaped from a pursuing Jacobite force of twelve hundred men at Artrea Bridge, where he killed one hundred and fifty of them, driving many others into the river.

The Bann Valley Campaign 1689

In that wet spring of 1689 the two forces faced each other across the River Bann as the Williamites defence bought valuable time to prepare the defences of Londonderry.

The Bannvalley Campaign of 1689 had begun in earnest on 11 February as the Protestant Forces went on the offensive taking Toome Castle and securing an important strategic crossing point.

The objective was to hold the line of the Bann, with Colonel Clotworthy Skeffington of Antrim was in command, based at Bellaghy and Castledawson he dispatched officers to hold vulnerable points along the Bann. Colonel Canning held Magherafelt. Toome was entrusted to Colonel Houston, with Newferry, controlled by one of the heroes of Derry Major John Michelburn. Colonel Edmonston, the Laird of Duntreth, was ordered to secure and defend the pass of Portglenone. Sir John McGill’s regiment was sent to Kilrea, where care had been taken to sink most of the boats and cots on the Bann. Sir Tristram Beresford’s regiment, with Colonel Francis Hamilton’s detachments to the number of three thousand men, were left to defend Coleraine. The Protestants at Fagivie, modern Agivy under the command of Captain Blair, beat back some of the Irish who had crossed the river there.

Opposing them was a large professional army under

the Jacobite commander Lieutenant General Richard Hamilton a traitor who when dispatched by William III to request Tyrconnell’s surrender, instead turned sides joining the Jacobites. Under him Colonel O’Neill marched on Coleraine with two thousand men. Unbeknown to the Williamites there was a second Jacobite Army sweeping North on the west side of the Lough Neigh. This made the defence of the Bann untenable in the longer term and the objective became to hold the enemy up and to retire in order to Londonderry thus setting the scene for the famous siege. However had things turned out differently we may way be celebrating the siege of Coleraine today.

On 24th March Colonel Gustavus Hamilton called a council of war at Coleraine, and considered their options including retiring into the walled city Londonderry.

However Coleraine was itself attacked on 27th March, by the Jacobite General Hamilton. They advanced within fifty yards of the works under the shelter of some hedges and ditches, on the blind gate side and raised two batteries, of cannon to breach the walls. Captain Hugh McGill silenced the guns with a shot from the wall which killed their gunner with a musket shot.

Battle of Portglenone

Portglenone saw the most prolonged and important battle of the entire Bann Valley Campaign of 1689, lasting over two days and with ferocious hand to hand fighting. The river was held at Portglenone by Colonel Edmonston, of Redhall Ballycarry who on 29th March begin to dig in. He was reinforced by men from Adair’s Regiment and together they broke the bridge down.

However Portglenone was a difficult area to secure since the Williamite defences were on the Londonderry side of the river it left the village and its castle on the Antrim side undefended.

While creating impressive trenches and earth works, the weather and the boggy ground made for difficult conditions, not unlike the mud of Flanders in later trench warfare. Indeed Edmonstone himself aged 51 contracted fever in the trenches and later died at Culmore Fort, Londonderry. The conditions were compounded by a lack of supplies which did not reach the men until 5th April after Colonel Edmonston, wrote to Rawdon warning that his men were almost starved with hunger there. Late

on the night of 5th, Sir Arthur went to Portglenone, and found all well there; Edmonston had entrenched his men so well, that they were out of the range of both great and small shot, and he had destroyed a considerable part of the bridge. The enemy was, however, very active, and there was a continual fire kept up on both sides. Twenty of the enemy were killed the next day, and that part of Portglenone in possession of the Irish, on the Antrim side of the river, was set on fire by red hot iron bullets, which drove them all out of it.

At two o’clock in the morning of the seventh, intelligence reports came to the Protestant army at Coleraine that Lord Galmoy, Colonel Gordon O’Neill, and Colonel Mac Mahon, had advanced to Dungannon with three thousand men. Their intention was to execute a pincer movement with the intention of cutting of the garrison at Moneymore. The same letter desired that Sir. Arthur Rawdon should hasten back to Moneymore, and he was a mile or two on his return with Major Baker, Captain Hugh McGill, and Captain Dunbar, when he heard that the Irish, had crossed the river. On the preceding night under covering fire a party had procured five or six ‘great boats’ perhaps hidden by local Catholic Jacobite supporters, had passed by the guards kept on the river side by Colonel Skeffington, were then advanced within a mile of Colonel Edmonston’s trenches.

Riders were sent to Portglenone by Sir Arthur to warn of the Jacobites approach to Colonel Edmonston. The first engagement of the Battle of Portglenone involved a company of Edmonstons regiment, quartered in some country houses near the river. They advanced to the river edge and attempted to repulse the enemy and continued firing until their ammunition was spent. With boats the Jacobites could land men within half a mile of the Williamite trenches, and with repeated trips across the river ferried over a considerable force of 200 under Colonel Nugent.

In the vanguard of the Jacobite assault were crack professional troops, two or three companies of their grenadiers advanced first through the bog of Glenone 9

towards Colonel Edmonston’s trenches, in which he had only one hundred and twenty men. The professional Jacobite Army was joined by local Catholic raparees, and advanced through the bog to try and outflank the Wiliamite positions. Edmonston led sixty men out of the trenches to line a ditch on the side of the bog towards the enemy, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw with the other half to guard the trenches.

He there vigorously opposed the Irish, whose numbers every moment increasing, at last over powered him, and obliged him to fall back. A Jacobite officer’s account of the battle records “two hundred foot, and having trajected the river Bann in boats, with thirty or forty of them, beat the guards of the rebels from the pass, notwithstanding their hard firing upon them in the passage.

The brave defence allowed time for Rawdon and Captain Dunbar to reach the trenches, greeted by a volley of shot from the Irish. Nugent dispatched 100 grenadiers to line the hedges on the way to that only pass by which the Williamites could fall back, and to secure that position from a body of Protestants whom they saw advancing towards it. The aim was to encircle and kills Edmonston’s men in their entrenched positions.

Seeing this a party of five companies of foot, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Whitney, rushed to the assistance of Colonel Edmonston, and the troops now effectively cut off. Whitney commanded three young captains to lead on the men, but when he saw the strength of the enemy be retracted his orders, and commanded the men to face about and retire.

He doubtless feared that the well positioned Jacobite Grenadiers in positions behind hedges and under cover would cut down his men before they reached Edmonston.

His revised orders were obeyed by all but Captain James McGill, who, ashamed of so base a retreat, went on towards the pass. Sir Arthur Rawdon and Captain Dunbar came to the pass at the same time, and having no other way to escape, charged forward through a hail of gunfire as all the shot poured in upon them from the hedges. They linked up Captain James McGill, and resolved to charge the enemy again, when they perceived another party of Irish had positioned

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themselves to the rear, and in a few minutes Captain McGill was shot of his horse.

In the ferocious hand to hand fighting a captain of the Irish grenadiers came up and run his sword through the body of the fallen and wounded officer, and another of the savages dashed out his brains with a musket.

The sacrifice of McGill bought enough time for Sir Arthur Rawdon to get over the pass, and for Major Baker and Captain Hugh McGill to halt Lieutenant-Colonel Whitney’s retreat, and to rally the men to counter attack. We can only imagine the pain of Captain Hugh as he cut his way through the Jacobites to rescue his younger brother, only to find him dead on the field of battle. This desperate counter-attack seems to have surprised and pushed the Jacobites back as Edmonston and Shaw also got to their assistance, by different ways. The line was held for a time due to the valiant efforts of those brave few, but with the soldiers having little or no ammunition or match left, and the number of Jacobites pouring over the Bann the situation was desperate.

Intelligence reports arriving of Lord Galmoy’s approach to Moneymore, meant the position no matter how hard they fought was untenable. It was resolved that Edmonston and Whitney should retire with their regiments to Coleraine, that Sir Arthur Rawdon and his own regiment of dragoons, with Colonel Skeffington’s and Colonel Canning’s regiments of foot should retire towards Londonderry.

The loss at Portglenone, was considerable to the Protestants at this critical time, with roughly 150 men killed on both sides. The Williamites also lost a number of valuable officers, with Captain Henley, wounded taken prisoner and treated terribly by the Jacobites, Captain James McGill, a rising star and brave young officer killed in action Colonel Edmonston dying at Culmore Fort a week afterwards, of a disease caught in the trenches at Portglenone, in a season unusually cold and wet, and Sir Arthur Rawdon, who was so injured in his health by the fatigue he suffered on this occasion, that he was obliged to retire from the army.

Fair faa ye tae Banntastic 2016 This simmer the Banks o tha Bann Ir houlin an Ulster Scots Shenanigans. A festival o celebrations an commemoration showin tha best o oor local talent. BANNTASTIC 12th Fest 2016. Frae 22nd o June tae tha 14th o July wull see Portglenone an the local airt forbye play host tae a hale lock o events frae parades tae Art exhibitions, acoustic cafes an big ootdorr carrants.

A flagship festival that maximises the 12th celebrations, showcases the local Ulster Scots community an culture es weel es edjicatin, engagin an entertainin the fowk.

It wus 10 years ago thit tha thocht o daevelopin tha traditional events rooney the 12th wus aged bae Portglenone Independent Orange District No.4.

Tha parades bonefires an ither celebrations wur used es a platform tae promote tha guid Ulster Scots culture music an leid connected tae it. Ivery year wae hae highlichted historical Ir cultural aspects thit wae see es a quor wye tae include ithers in whit wae baelieve tae bae impoartant netional events.

This year it’s tha centenary o tha Battle o tha Somme, Hir Majesty’s 9th burthday an Airmed Forces day thit’ll bae highlichted. Tha Somme aniversary is gantae bae marked wae tha launch o a special commemorative badge an a presentation o new District colours. Forbye this thur’ĺl bae a lock o exhibitions an oor Covenant Connections Conference.

Airmed Forces day gies iz a chance tae show support fur tha men an weemin wha mak up tha Airmed Forces femily frae troops servin tha day tae veterans an cadets.

Through oor waar correspondence postcairds tae a special Drumhead service an parade we’el recognise tha contribution tha Airmed Forces mak an hae made tae tha nation.

Last but naw least, moanie o oor events wull bae pairt o bigger netional programmes such es tha Queens burthday celebrations whur we’el gie thanks fur hir reign an highlicht tha best points. Sae why dint yae come alang an join iz an ither fowk o oor nation es wae aal celebrate an commemoray thagither.

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Thomas Carnduff A figure which encapsulates so much of what Banntastic is about is the poet and playwright Thomas Carnduff. Were he alive today we believe he would be to the fore in what we are doing. An Independent Orangeman, veteran of the Great War, Ulster Scots writer and cultural icon he still an inspiration to us.

Thomas Carnduff, the ‘Shipyard Poet’ of Belfast, as born at 13 Kensington Street, off Sandy Row, Belfast, on 30 January 1886.

Educated at the Royal Hibernian School and Royal Military College, Dublin until the death of his father, at 14 when he was forced to return to Belfast and experienced firsthand the harsh life of working class Belfast which shaped his strong socialist views.

Receiving six shillings a week for pulling a flax handcart from mill to mill, he worked until one day, pulling a full load up Albert Street, he literally collapsed. His experience at the hands of mill owners doubtless made Carnduff an avid supporter of Tom Sloan when he took the South Belfast seat as the popular working class Protestant candidate.

When Sloan was expelled for the Orange Order, Carnduff became an enthusiastic founder member of the Independent Orange Order.

A member of Dr. Kane Memorial Lodge I.L.O.L. No. 7 he eventually became Worshipful Master.

Carnduff epitomised the spirit of early Independent Orangeism, in Belfast with a mix of working class awareness, dedication to democracy and social justice and that unique independent spirit of though and deed. While working in the Belfast Steam Print Company from 1906 to 1914 he read widely and educated himself. Like many Independents he opposed Home Rule but found it difficult to simply fall into line with the opposition mounted by the Ulster Unionist leadership of Carson and Craig. Instead he joined the Young Citizen Volunteers at the time of the Home Rule Crisis, which was originally apolitical and retained its independence and identity even after becoming part of the UVF. The YCV was the brainchild of Fred T. Geddes, a prominent figure in the Belfast Citizens Association, and Irish Temperance League which worked closely with T.H. Sloan MP. The inaugural meeting of the YCV was held in Belfast City Hall on 10 September 1912, just prior to the signing of the Solemn League and Covenant; on the committee was Major Fred Crawford, the famous UVF Gunrunner and the president was Robert James McMordie, Lord Mayor of Belfast.

The constitution of the YCVs stated that members should not take part in any political meeting or demonstration. The organisation’s objectives were stated as being nonsectarian and non political and its objectives and ethos fitted well with that of the Independent Orange Order, and many of its members joined the YCV. Carnduff joined Cliftonville Company and provides one of the best accounts of the organisation.

He states “The drill instructors were all ex-soldiers. I joined up with the Cliftonville Company. Most of the officers were still on the reserve of the regular army. A fife-and-drum and bugle band was formed. We paid for, and were issued out with

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uniform: silver grey cloth with dark blue facings and silver regimental badges displaying a three-leafed shamrock with the [Red] Hand of Ulster embossed on the centre. We were soon licked into shape, similar to a British territorial infantry battalion of today. Lt-Colonel Chichester, an Irish Guards reserve officer, took over command,..”

However the threat of Home Rule prompted unity,with much soul searching within the organisation and even resignations and protests from founders such as Geddes, the YCVs applied for membership of the UVF and on the 17 May 1914 became a battalion of the Belfast Regiment.

Carnduff doubtless faced a dilemma, since the YCV like the ILOI was founded on non-political grounds, and the idea of falling under the control of landed and upper class control would have offered a real challenge. He however like many Independent Orangemen chose to sign the covenant, and to join the UVF. He explains his practical reasons Some eight hundred volunteers paraded in St George’s Market where Colonel Chichester proposed we join forces with the UVF, threatening to resign on the spot if the majority refused. The vote was practically unanimous and the Young Citizens ceased to be an independent force.

The Larne Gun-Running Carnduff was mobilised on the evening of Friday 24 April 1914 and summoned to report at Ormiston House, Chichester’s home, and previously the home of Edward Harland and then Lord Pirrie.

A cordon of volunteers was placed round the grounds and patrols sent out along the roads to intercept any inquisitive policeman and cut the telephone wires in the district. Eventually a lorry arrived and rifles and ammunition were soon transferred to the cellars of the house.

Carnduff proudly describes the YCV on parade and described the scenes in Belfast

His first published work was dedicated to ‘my comrades of the shipyards and the days and nights of toil we spent together’. The introduction states: The shipyard verses come from the heart of a man who has been through it, and, for the truth that is in them, should make an appeal to shipyard workers all over the world.

MEN OF BELFAST

All his life he had written poetry, and in 1936 he formed the Young Ulster Literary Society and was a member of the Irish Pen Club. He wrote for several newspapers, including the Bell and published books of poems, one of which was Songs from

From the night of moving shadows To the sound of the shipyard horn.

We hail thee Queen of the Northland We who are Belfast born.

The Young Citizen battalion, being the most advanced in military training, was ordered out on a route march through the central thoroughfares of the city. We were to parade fully armed with rifles and bayonets, as well as a machine gun detachment. The city was full of rumours on the morning of the route march.

There were whispers that operations on a warlike scale would commence that day.

Soon enough the Great War did beckon and by September 1914 members of the YCV began enlisting, becoming the 14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles.

On 3 October 1914 the battalion had a strength of 17 officers and 1,038 other ranks. Carnduff joined the Royal Engineers and saw service at Ypres and Messines, not returning until 1919, where he returned to work in Workman, Clark and Co. until 1935. During this time he saw service in the Ulster Special Constabulary, the beloved ‘B-Specials’ who defended Ulster in the dark days of the 1920s against IRA insurgency and Southern Irish aggression.

The Great War Depression of 1930s and his own unemployment saw him put pen to paper to express the plight of the ordinary man. His poetry is collected as Songs from the Shipyard and other Poems (1924); and Song of an Out of Work (1932), which were posthumously republished as Poverty Street and Other Poems (1993).

O city of sound and motion!

O city of endless stir!

From the dawn of a misty morning To the fall of the evening air.

Hark to the ring of the anvil!

Hark to the song of the loom!

And the siren-call of the steamers Passing the harbour boom.

The spiral curve of the smoke-cloud Weaving a hazy screen The rattle of horse and vehicle In one un-ending stream.

the Shipyard and Other Poems published in 1924. He wrote many plays: The First Warrant (1930); Workers (1932); Traitors (1934); Castlereagh (1935); Birth of a Giant (1937); The Stars Foretell (1938) and Murder at Stranmillis.

Some of these were performed in the Abbey Theatre, Dublin and the Empire Theatre, Belfast; The Birth of a Giant was a play written for radio. His later years were spent working as a caretaker in the Linen Hall Library, where his portrait now hangs.

We gaze from the Cavehill’s summit The pride in our eyes aglow As we look on a slumberless city.

That stretches her arms below The dull read glow of the sunset Fades in a purple haze And the gloom of a darkened valley Is bright with a thousand rays.

THOMAS CARNDUFF (1886 - 1956)

Thomas Carnduff died on 17 April 1956 leaving behind a legacy that is unique in Ulster literary circles. He was a complex character, whose Independent Orangism belonged to a pre-partition era. He was individualistic and an icon of working class talent and authenticity. He is buried in Carnmoney Old Cemetery, Co. Antrim.

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ARMED FORCES DAY

We will be marking Armed Forces Day during the Festival with a Flag Raising, and we ask the entire community to take a moment out of the festival fun to reflect on those who serve so tirelessly and selflessly to keep us all safe. Take a moment and salute them, and pause to reflect on those who cannot be home to enjoy the Festival, or the Twelfth as we hope and pray they return safely to us.

To highlight Armed Forces Day we have encouraged local Civic Society and the Community to consider the service and Sacrifice of our Armed Forces, and to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces family: from current serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets.

Our events will compliment the larger regional events which many of your have enjoyed, offering a more local intimate way of honouring our men and women in uniform. The events are woven into the fabric of the

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festival just as we believe the Armed Forces are woven into the fabric of our local community, and will allow us all to recognise the contribution that the Armed Forces (serving personnel, veterans and cadets) make and have made to the nation Through our support we hope to leave the Armed Forces and veterans feeling that they are valued and enjoy the respect and support of both the government and the nation, and give the public a sense that their support is both necessary and appreciated by the Armed Forces.

Our practical work like the Postcards from Home Project will help publicise the range of support available to the whole Armed Forces Community (Service personnel, their families, widows and veterans) who need it. It will also help us to think of ways of supporting them when they are serving away from home as we reflect on the support troops in the trenches took from home.

BANNTASTIC DOING OUR BIT War Correspondence – Postcards from Home

As we ask people to remember the Armed Forces today we are launching a ‘Postcards from Home Project’, to get ordinary people to write to our boys serving abroad, with words of encouragement and support. Many will not be home for our Festival, will be missing the Twelfth or summer holidays with their children, so just as the letters from home brought comfort to the men of 1916 stuck in muddy Flanders trenches, postcards, emails, selfies and gifts will help our boys stationed abroad.

Civic and Community Recognition of our Armed Forces

Salute our Forces

As well as Flag Raising, we are asking you all to take a moment out of the festival fun to salute the Armed Forces, #SaluteOurForces is a simple way for anyone to pay tribute to the British Armed Forces community for their hard work, dedication and efforts to and keep us safe in the UK and across the globe. Last year, celebrities, members of the public and businesses all got involved.

This year we are promoting the #saluteourforces initiative which we have married with the Somme Commemoration for us as we develop the theme “Over a Century of Service and Sacrifice”. Our logo puts the old Tommy’s tin hat from the First World War alongside the modern helmet of the army today. As look back and commemorate the sacrifice of the Somme we also remember those who laid down their lives in the Armed Forces and Security Forces to defeat terrorism in our recent Troubles and remember the fine work being done today, by our men and women in uniform across the globe.

Taking our theme of ‘Over a Century of Service and Sacrifice’ we are giving civic society and the community an opportunity to stop and reflect and show their gratitude and support to the Armed Forces, in more intimate, meaningful and longer lasting initiatives.

This was symbolised in our launch as the Royal Irish Regiment were represented in the person of Captain R. Mallon 2 R IRISH, who was guest of honour at the Mayor’s Reception. He had a chance to reflect and spoke on his time and affection for Ballymena since it was his home for some time as he trained at St. Patricks Barracks.

He was shown the Freedom of the Borough Award, and many items of significance which mark a long association between the Regiment and the Borough. This is we believe what Armed Forces Day is all about, embedding the Armed Forces into our communities and restoring relationships with community based organisations.

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N N A B E H T M O FR

E M M O S E H TO T July holds a special place in the memory of many families across Northern Ireland, as they remember the loss at the Somme. For many young Ulstermen the road to Flanders began years before in the lanes and streets of their native Ulster. We have taken FROM THE BANN TO THE SOMME, as out theme in commemorating the Centenary of the Somme, as we trace those men’s journey.

Those two Rivers had great significance for those men, one represented home and all they left behind but more importantly all that was dear to them and what they believed they were fighting for. Like generations before them who had fought and held the line of the Bann, in 1916 the men of the Bann Valley once more found themselves spilling their blood into the waters of another river – The Somme.

In this the Centenary of the Somme we hope to trace their journey, understand what motivated them and see a little of the horrors of war they experienced as we try to walk in their footsteps. Our journey begins with the signing of Ulster’s Solemn League and Covenant, during the Home Rule Crisis of 1912 – 1914.

Our Covenant Connections Conference will explore the concept of ‘Covenant’ in the personal faith, practice, psyche and politics of the Ulster Scots. Our first steps are taken just as our conference is located in the War Memorial Church Halls of First Portglenone Presbyterian Church where so many local men signed the Ulster Covenant in 1912. For many that day they were signing their lives away in defense of what they believed.

Their journey took them into the Ulster Volunteer Force, which at the outbreak of the Great War was given to Kitchener as part of his volunteer army, becoming the famous 36th Ulster Division. Many men from the Bann Valley joined seeing service in various theatres of war, many never returned. Our second programme is research into the men who served and those who did not return, as we hope to find out more anout them and mark their sacrifice in a fitting way.

We have launched an appeal to Find the Forgotten Faces of those brave men who left the banks of the Bann and never returned. So we ask that families have a look for old pictures, papers, and personal effects or artifacts and bring them along as we try to put a face and a story to the names carved in stone.

Those brave sons of Ulster formed the 36th Ulster Division and marched to death and immortal glory at the Somme on 1 July 1916. We have commissioned a commemorative community art installation combining the very best traditions of Ulster craftsmanship and artistic skill as a means of remembering those who fell.

So join us as we unite with the nation to Remember in a series of events from 30 June – 3 July. As a District Lodge we have also commissioned a commemorative badge marking the Centenary of the Somme, which we intend to become a medal to round off our year of events. The District has also commissioned a new set of colours the ‘Somme Standards’, which will be dedicated at our annual Somme Commemorative Drumhead Service.

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Somme Centenary Joining the nation to remember the Somme, with a Vigil on the eve of the battle, a time of reflection marking the moment men went‚ ‘over the top’ and memorial events such as an honour walk.

Somme Centenary Drumhead Service Covenant Connections

A Seminar to examine the Covenant in the Ulster Scots faith, ethos and experience with the legacy of the Somme examined.

Drumhead Service marking the Sacrifice of the Somme The Annual Orange District Sunday Parades and Services take on added relevance as they mark the men of Bannside who fell at the Somme.

Bands on the Bann

Killycoogan Independent Accordian Band Annual Parade The annual band parade will involve family fun and a fancy dress parade for children.

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FROM THE BANN

Portglenone Independe Remembers Ou

THOSE MEN FROM PORTGLENONE AND DIST ADAMS, William James, 9554, Sergeant, 1st Royal Irish Rifles, was KIA on 2nd December 1917 by a trench mortar. He was born and lived in Portglenone and enlisted in Ballymena.

BARBER, John James, 2357, Private, 1st/7th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, died on 13 June 1915 at Gallipoli. Aged 32 he was the husband of Mrs. Rose Ann Barber, of Tyanee, Portglenone. He is marked on the Helles Memorial, near Sedd el Bahr, Turkey BROWN, William, 7905, Rifleman, 16th Royal Irish Rifles, was KIA on July 1, 1916.

He is buried in Hamel Military Cemetery, Somme. He was born in Portglenone and enlisted in Ballymena. His wife and daughter at Culnafay, Portglenone.

CARLETON, Robert, 23217, Private died on 30 April 1917 of his wounds. Aged 47 , he was the son of Mrs Margaret Carleton. Robert was born about 1870 in Tamlaght, Co. Londonderry he was living in Portglenone and a member of Lislea Purple Marksmen L.O.L. 161. He enlisted in Kilrea and served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was severely wounded near Wulvergem on the Belgium side of the France-Belgium border, and taken to No 53 Casualty Clearing Station in France but died of his wounds and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in Nord in France.

CLARK (Clarke) William 31310, Private, 2 Royal Scots, KIA on September 26th, 1917. Named Tyne Cot. Aged 20, enlisted and lived Glasgow. Son of George and Margaret, Garvaghy, Portglenone.

Commemorated 1st Portglenone Presbyterian, Church.

CLENAGHAN, J., 216243, Gunner died on 3 July 1918. Aged 35, he was the husband of Mary Clenaghan, of Aughnahoy, Portglenone, Co. Antrim. He enlisted in Sterling, Scotland most likely while working over there and served with the Royal Garrison Artillery, most likely in a coastal battery. He is buried in Port Glasgow Cemetery, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

COULTER, Alexander, 3473, Private, 2nd Irish Guards, KIA on July 21st, 1917. Buried Canada Farm Cemetery. Of Tullynahinnion/ Drumraw, Cullybackey. Commemorated 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church DAWSON, Samuel, 14860, Private, 11th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, KIA on 1st July 1916. Born Portglenone, enlisted Belfast, lived Glasgow. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.

EWING, William, 19138, Private, was killed in action 0n 07 June 1917. Aged 24 he was the the son of Robert and Martha Ann Ewing. While born in the Shankill in Belfast about 1893 he is believed to have some connection with Portglenone. This may be family connections since his parents were living and working in Conchillas, Colonia, Uruguay, South America. He enlisted in Belfast, and was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action, and has no known grave but is commemorated on panel 22 of the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

FINNEGAN, James, 3754, Private was killed in action on Wednesday 20th November 1918. Aged 29, he was the son of John and Catherine Finnegan of Innisrush, Portglenone. James was born in Bangor or Holywood, County Down about 1889. Private James Finnegan was serving with ‘B’ Company, 2nd Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry when he died and is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport.

GORDON, Robert James, 26091, Rifleman, 4th Bn, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, was killed in action in Belgium on the 7th June 1917. He was the son of Mrs. T Gordon, Lislea, Portglenone and he listed his brother in law, a Mr J T Kyle, Waipukurau, New Zealand, as his next of kin. He was a farm labourer and had left New Zealand on 25th September 1916 with the 11th Reinforcements 2nd Battalion, F Company aboard the troopship Devon. He is remembered on the Messine Ridge (NZ) Memorial.

GOURLEY, Samuel Mooney , Clyde 3/2177, Able Seaman, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.S. “Viknor.” He died on the 13th January 1915. (HMS Viknor was an armed merchant cruiser of 10th Cruiser Squadron and was under the command of E O Ballantyne. Her crew, 22 Officers and 273 Men, were all lost when she struck a mine off Tory Island. 25 men, of whom Gourley was probably one, came from the Newfoundland Division of Royal Navy Reserves. He was aged 21 and was the son of James Gourley, Portglenone. He is commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

GREER, Joseph, S/13953, Lance Corporal, 1st Gordon Highlanders, died of wounds on 5th June 1918. Aged 23 and the son of M. Greer, Sprucebank, Portglenone. Buried Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport.

KILPATRICK, William, 53433 (NA says 33433), Driver, 76 Bty. Royal Field Artillery, died on the 31st July 1916. Aged 27, he enlisted in Newcastle Upon Tyne and was the son of William and Jane Kerr of Tullynahinion, Portglenone. He is buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq.

He is commemorated in 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church.

N TO THE SOMME

ent Orange District No. 4, ur Glorious Dead

TRICT WHO PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE LAW, William, 19767, Private, 6th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was KIA on the 17th October 1918. Aged 41, he was the son of James Law of Gortaheron, Portglenone. His wife Nancy resided at Killycoogan, Portglenone. He is buried in Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France and commemorated in 3rd Portglenone Presbyterian Church.

LOUGHLIN, Archie, 23643, Private was killed in action on 07 June 1917. He was the son Robert and Mary Laughlin, of Lislea, Portglenone, Co. Londonderry. He doubtless enlisted in Kilrea and served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

He is buried in Irish House Cemetery, WestVlaanderen, Belgium .

McANALLY/McNALLY, 6/2795, Lance Corporal, 6th Connaught Rangers, died of wounds in Bellahoustin Military Hospital, Glasgow. Aged 34, he was born, enlisted and lived in Ballymena. His wife Sarah lived at Railway Place, Ballymena and his parents, John and Margaret McAnally, lived in Cullybackey. He is buried in St. Mary’s (Aughnahoy) Cemetery, Ahoghill Road, Portglenone McCARTNEY, Andrew, 12733, Private, 8th Welsh Regiment, died on the 30th September 1915. Aged 50, he was born in Ballymena. He was the son of Robert McCartney, Townhill, Portglenone and the husband of Maggie Ross McCartney. He is buried Alexandria (Chatby) Military & War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

McCLEAN, Alexander, 18/727, Rifleman, 11th Royal Irish Rifles, was KIA on the 29th May 1917. Aged 19, he was the third son of Hugh and Ann McClean, Bracknamuckley, Portglenone. He is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, Heuelland, Belgium and commemorated in 3rd Portglenone Presbyterian Church.

McGALL (DCM), James, 3/10823, Private, Durham Light Infantry (Depot), died on the 1st November 1918. Aged 35, he was the son of Johnston and Lizzie McGall, Portglenone. He enlisted in Gateshead and his wife Sarah Jane lived at Portglenone. He is buried in Heworth Churchyard, Durham.

RAINEY, J G, 290563, Private, 1/8th Scottish Rifles (Cameronians), died on the 29th July 1918. He was aged 27 and the son of John and Hannah Rainey, Aughnahoy, Portglenone. He is buried Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire, France

McMASTER, William, 939, Rifleman, 9th Royal Irish Rifles. was KIA on the 7th August 1917. Aged 20. He was born in Portglenone and enlisted in Ballymena.

He was the youngest son of William and Mary Jane, McMaster, Cullybackey. He is commemorated on the Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate) and in Cullybackey UF Church.

SMYTH, John, 41205, Private, 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers (formerly 1435 North Irish Horse), died of wounds on the1st December 1917. He was born in Tamlaght O’Crilly, Co. Londonderry and was living in Portadown, but he was the son of John Smyth, Sprucebank, Portglenone. He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

MEWHINNEY (Mawhinnie), William James, 15841, Private, 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers, was KIA on the 29th September 1915. He was born at Ballynafie, Portglenone. He is commemorated on the Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate).

SPENCE, Alexander Reverend, Padre 36th Dept. Army Chaplains, died of wounds as POW on the 31st March 1918. His father, was Alexander Spence of Brookfield, Portglenone. He is buried Roye New British Cemetery, Somme. He is commemorated in Ahoghill Church of Ireland.

O’NEILL, Luke, 22128, Private, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, was KIA on the 12th October 1916. Aged 22, he was the son of Roderick and Mary Ann O’Neill, Gortgole, Portglenone. He enlisted in Coatsbridge and lived at Rasharkin. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial

STEWART, James, 1488, Rifleman, 8th Royal Irish Rifles, was KIA 7th June 1917.

He is buried Wulverghen Lindenhoek Military Cemetery. He was aged 22 and was born in Portglenone. He was the son of James and late Nancy Stewart and he lived in Cullybackey.

PATTON, Archibald, 18689, Rifleman, 1st Bn., 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, was KIA on the 12th October 1917. He was aged 33 and had embarked on the 26th July 1916 with the 9th Reinforcements 2nd Battalion, F Company. He was the son of John and Sarah Patton of Tyanee, Portglenone. He is buried Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Ypres.

He is commemorated in 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church.

WATT, Robert John, 19818, Rifleman, 11th Royal Irish Rifles, died on the 29th February 1916. He was killed by shrapnel while in billets behind the lines. He was aged 30 and the son of Agnes Watt. He was the husband of Elizabeth Ann Watt, Portglenone, Co. Antrim, and a cousin of Mrs Johnston McGall, Fair Hill Lane, Ballymena. He is buried in Mesnil Ridge Cemetery, Somme.

Central to the story of the Great War is the notion of covenant. The Unionist leadership in their opposition to Home Rule decided upon the idea of an Ulster Covenant. It was envisaged as a means of uniting a people, of mobilising opposition and of binding them together to stand against a common threat. Craig set about organising a campaign whose climax would be the signing of this document.

Preliminary meetings started in Enniskillen and ended on the eve of Ulster Day in the Ulster Hall.

At this emotional meeting, Craig pulled a masterstroke by procuring the ‘Boyne Standard’ from Colonel Wallace. In the deep sense of history and emotion that was prevalent Carson unfurled the flag and holding it aloft he said “…may this flag ever float over a people that can coast of civil and religious liberty…” The time was ripe, the campaign had reached a crescendo and the people of Ulster were ready to pledge themselves body and soul to the union.

On the 28th September 1912, Ulster Day, Craig Organised a nationwide signed of the covenant, as 400,000 signed in Belfast alone. Evident was the conviction and resolve of Unionists.

Many of our festival events are being held in the Church Halls of First Portglenone Presbyterian Church, one of the original signing places of the Covenant. Churches threw themselves wholeheartedly into the campaign seeing the Ulster Covenant of 1912 in a lineage back through history to a Scriptural Basis. Our Covenant Connections Conference seeks to trace that lineage, and to discover the significance and the symbolism of the concept of ‘Covenant’ in the Ulster Scots psyche and practice.

Our journey begins with the Word of God, as he institutes the very concept of ‘covenant’.

Its development is in large part to Scottish Presbyterianism as it saw a way of putting Scripture into practice. Today modern Unionist though is still deeply influenced by the same democratic contractual ideas which bind those who govern with the people. Our journey ends most fittingly with the recent Armed Forces Covenant as we see a grateful nation binding itself to help those in the Armed Forces.

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The Last Covenanting Army The Ulster-Scots story of the Ulster Volunteer Force In September 1912, nearly half a million Ulster men and women signed the Solemn League and Covenant, pledging to resist the imposition of Home Rule by “all means which may be found necessary.” While Liberal politicians in London and Nationalists in Dublin scoffed at Ulster Day and doubted Ulster’s resolve, the Unionists themselves were in earnest. Mindful of the words of the 17th Century philosopher Thomas Hobbes, that “Covenants without swords are but words”, they set about raising a force, the Ulster Volunteers, to make good on their Covenant. One hundred years ago this month, the UVF was born. It was the last Covenanting army.

troops under the Marquess of Montrose to inflict severe defeats on Covenanters throughout the west of Scotland, until they were defeated by Leslie in 1645.

When the Ulster Volunteers began drilling, equipping and in due course arming during 19134, they were embarked on a course which saw them following in the footsteps of the Covenanters.

Like the Covenanting armies of the 17th Century, every member of the Ulster Volunteer Force had signed the Ulster Covenant. They had done so in a spirit of reverence, with every signing of the Covenant on Ulster Day being preceded by a religious service. Ministers across Ulster

By adopting the Solemn League and Covenant to resist Home Rule, Ulster loyalists had embraced a potent element of their Ulster-Scots heritage. The text of the Covenant was based on the Scottish National Covenant of 1638; and its title was taken from the Solemn League and Covenant signed between Scots Covenanters and English Puritans in 1642. However, the Covenant was not the only element of Ulster’s response that was inspired by their Scots forebears.

Faced with attempts by King Charles I to subjugate Presbyterianism and bring it into line with the Church of England, with himself at its head, Scots Presbyterians banded together in 1638 to sign the Scottish National Covenant. The Scots raised an army of 20,000 Covenanters who defeated the forces of the King in the Bishops Wars in 1639 and 1640; and caused a crisis in the Stuart monarchy which helped to precipitate the English Civil War. Following the 1641 Rebellion, an army of Covenanters under General Munro was sent to Ulster to protect the Scottish settlers. It was the Presbyterian army chaplains of Munro’s army who established the first Presbytery at Carrickfergus in 1642 and rode out to establish many of the Presbyterian congregations around Belfast Lough.

After the alliance with Cromwell, a Covenanter army under the command of Alexander Leslie marched south into England and played a decisive role in the defeat of Charles I at the Battle of Marston Moor. While they were occupied in England however, a force of Irish troops under the Earl of Antrim landed on the west coast of Scotland Ulster Volunteer Force Bayonet Platoon and joined forces with Royalist

that Ulster Day was, “no occasion for demonstration, but for dedication to a high purpose.”

In common with their Covenanting forebears, the role of clergy went far beyond preaching. Many Ulster ministers followed in the example of men like Rev. Richard Cameron, the Lion of the Covenanters, when they became leaders in the Ulster Volunteer Force.

From the outset in 1913, ministers were to the fore, especially in rural areas. In County Armagh, the original organisers of the local UVF Regiment included Rev. McEndoo and Rev. Whan of Tandragee; and Rev. Mayes of Crossmaglen. In County Fermanagh, the Adjutant of the Fermanagh UVF Regiment was Rev. Stack of Aghadrumsee, Clones.

Clergymen played a particularly e Forc r ntee Volu er Ulst strong role in County Tyrone, where e edg ing cutt s use officer several ministers served as field telephone company commanders. In the 1st (North Tyrone) Battalion, C Company, (Baronscourt) was commanded by Rev. FM Hamilton; while D Company, (Barravay) was led by Rev. W Kelly. In the 3rd (South Tyrone) Battalion, E Company (Aughnacloy) was commanded by Rev. G French; while Rev. C King Irwin took command of H Company (Brantry and Dyan). In 1914, the renowned Ulster-Scots poet, Rev. WF Marshall, was actively involved in the distribution of arms and ammunition to local UVF formations.

proclaimed the righteousness of the Covenant at meetings and services in the run-up to Ulster Day and on the day itself, drawing parallels with the Old Testament Covenant between God and the children of Israel, as well as the more recent Scottish Covenants.

On Ulster Day itself, observers, like the correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, noted an atmosphere charged with religious devotion: “The more strictly political objectives of the Covenant derive all their strength and stability from this religious character.” The Belfast Newsletter declared

Continued on Pages 8 & 9

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The Last Covenanting A Continued from page 7 Fully aware of the Liberal government’s willingness to override the Constitution, Ulstermen were drilling and acquiring military skills even before the signing of the Ulster Covenant. County Tyrone Orangemen led the way and soon Orange leaders all over Ulster were following their example. Such was the measure of their commitment that after a hard day’s toil in the fields or factories, men walked for miles to attend parades and drills. Social distinctions were forgotten. Gentry cheerfully obeyed orders from their tenants and company directors from their employees. While some derided these military preparations, a senior British officer noted that there reigned in Ulster “a stern and disciplined atmosphere and a serious spirit of unity and organisation”.

All over Ulster men were drilling yet there was no overall command or structure. In January 1913, the Ulster Unionist Council decided that the volunteers should be united into a single body to be known as the Ulster Volunteer Force.

Recruitment would be limited to 100,000 men who had signed the Covenant. In urging Unionists to enrol, Carson recognised the importance of organisation and unity: “Victory comes to those who are organised and united. Those who are unorganised cannot help and may hinder our efforts.”

An organisation similar to that of the recently organised Territorial Army was created. An efficient headquarters staff was set up which benefited enormously from the expertise of Captain Wilfrid Spender, the youngest staff officer in the British Army who threw up a promising career to identify himself more closely with Ulster’s cause. On the recommendation of Lord Roberts of Kandahar, the most distinguished soldier alive, Lieut. General Sir George Richardson, himself a distinguished soldier, was appointed to command the Volunteers. An impressive array of specialist units which would have been the envy of many a contemporary professional army was established: the Special Services Sections; the Medical Corps; the Nursing Corps; and the Signalling and Despatch Riders Corps.

It was not only the men of Ulster who responded magnificently to the call. Women came forward not only as nurses but as signallers, motor-cycle despatch riders and ambulance drivers. At UVF Headquarters a small group was engaged in intelligence work which included deciphering intercepted police messages.

The mobilisation of an entire community made it evident for all to see that Ulstermen had not been bluffing when they had pledged themselves to “using all means which may be found necessary” to defeat the imposition of Dublin rule.* Like their 17th Century forefathers they would not allow control of their lives and liberties to be transferred into the hands of their hereditary enemies by a corrupt Liberal government. Ulster would fight and Ulster would be right.

Just as in the political sphere, many Ulster-Scots played prominent roles in the organisation and activities of the Ulster Volunteer Force. They came from all walks of life; from landed

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“Victory comes to those who are organised and united. Those who are unorganised cannot help and may hinder our efforts.”

Plantation families to the Belfast industrial and mercantile elite; from managers and foremen to the men and women on the shopfloor.

The training of 100,000 men required access to large areas of land; and the landed gentry were quick to make this available. Baronscourt was used as a venue to train the UVF, courtesy of the Duke of Abercorn. Killyleagh Castle, also in the hands of the descendents of Sir James Hamilton since the early 1600s, was also used.

In County Fermanagh, members of leading Plantation era families became leading members of the UVF. The commander of the Fermanagh Regiment was Major the Viscount Crichton, eldest son of the Earl of Erne, whose seat is Crom Castle, Newtownbutler. The 1st (North Fermanagh) Battalion, was commanded by Major C.C. D’Arcy Irvine, of Castle Irvine, Irvinestown. Both men’s families came over from Scotland during the Plantation of Ulster.

Many prominent Belfast businessmen, with strong Ulster-Scots heritage, also played leading roles within the UVF. In North Belfast, linen barons William Ewart and George Andrews commanded the 1st and 2nd Battalions respectively (Ewart used his business address in Bedford Street, headquarters of William Ewart and Sons, the biggest linen firm in the world). The 6th Battalion was commanded by BWD Montgomery, the man who had suggested the Ulster Covenant in the first place.

In the East of the city, the 3rd Battalion was commanded by CW Henderson, of Norwood Tower, Strandtown, of the family who owned the Belfast.

Both Henderson and Ewart belonged to St. Mark’s Dundela. Incredibly, the secretary to the Select Vestry at St Marks, HV Coates, was also commander of the 6th (East Belfast) Battalion.

Both partners of the leading Belfast shipbuilding firm of Workman and Clark were close supporters of the UVF. George S. Clark was chairman of the Ulster Unionist Council committee which raised the money to arm the Volunteers. Frank Workman’s only son, Edward, was a member of the East Belfast 6th Battalion. Educated at Charterhouse and Cambridge, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 6th Royal Irish Rifles and killed in action in January 1916.

Throughout Ulster, the UVF benefited from the experience of many commanders who were experienced soldiers. A division of three regiments in County Antrim was commanded by General Sir William Adair. The 1st Battalion of the North Antrim Regiment was commanded by Brigadier General George Young DSO; while the 2nd Battalion was commanded by Colonel Lyle DSO. Young lived at Galgorm Castle and was a member of the family which owned Braidwater Mill, the largest employer in Ballymena.

TOP: Lord Carson reviewing the Volunteers BOTTOM: The YCV on parade

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NUA UARY 19 2013

Army A The Young Citizen Volunteers The formation of the YCV, which took place on 10th September 1912, was not officially linked to the anti-Home Rule campaign.

Instead, it was an expression of pride in the achievements and prospects of Belfast, in 1912 the envy of the industrialised world.

In 1899, the Belfast Newsletter had observed, “We in Belfast are proud of our city and its many activities. We are in the very front of the race of civic development and industrial progress and we have a laudable ambition to keep there and make our mark as it were.”

At the beginning of the 20th Century Belfast was part of a British industrial complex which stretched from Lancashire to Lanarkshire. By 1914 Belfast could boast “the greatest shipyard, rope works, tobacco factory, linen mill, dry dock and tea machinery works in the world.” Many of these achievements had been made possible by the genius of the Ulster-Scots.

Belfast was the eighth largest city in the UK. In 1801, its population had been just 19,000; but by 1901 it had risen to just under 350,000; and was reckoned to be the fastest growing city in the country. Above all others, the new City Hall, completed in 1906, demonstrated the affluence, confidence and ambition of the city.

The formation of the YCV was the brainchild of Fred T. Geddes, a prominent member of the Belfast Citizens Association. In 1912 he was one of two joint-secretaries of the Belfast Citizens Association for the Clifton and Duncairn wards in North Belfast. He was also a member of the Central Presbyterian Association, an organisation based in Church House in Fisherwick Place which provided a mix of recreational, sporting, social and religious activities for young people. Geddes set out his proposal for a Young Citizens Volunteer Corps in letters in the Northern Whig and Belfast Newsletter on 6th May 1912.

The proposal elicited a supportive letter in the Belfast Newsletter and Northern Whig the following day from Rev. WS Kerr, Rector of St. Paul’s in York Street, who would go on to become the first Bishop of Down and Dromore. It was also warmly endorsed by Rev. TW Davidson, Minister of Lynn Memorial Methodist Church on the Oldpark Road.

Rev. Kerr wrote, “There is room for the instruction to the young men of the city in the principles of civic administration, in information as to the industries and progress of the city, the history of its representative citizens and the duties of citizenship etc.”

Such was the positive response to Geddes’ suggestion that the Lord Mayor, RJ McMordie, convened a meeting in his parlour in the City Hall on 6th June 1912 to discuss the idea.

Numerous prominent businessmen from the city attended; a glance at their surnames and knowledge of later history revealing several prominent Ulster-Scots at the gathering. Those present included Major Fred Crawford; Major

Fred Cunningham; Lt. Col. WEC McCammond JP; W. Joseph Stokes; GW Ferguson JP; EJ Elliott; JE Dawson; EM Reid and JD Williamson JP. The YCV was formally launched by the Lord Mayor at City Hall on 10th September; and the following day, the Northern Whig reported, “The Young Citizen Volunteer movement had a splendid send off last night...In most countries all citizens are trained in the use of arms and in a moment of danger they are able to respond to the call of duty. However anxious our people may be to fight for the flag, they are not trained to do so. This is a source of constant peril to the nation. Every health man should be able to take his part in defending his country. If the Young Citizen Volunteer movement succeeds – and it deserves to succeed – the national gain will be considerable.”

A Volunteer Executive was established to oversee the organisation. Its membership list reads like a Who’s Who? of Belfast society, again including many prominent Ulster-Scots, including Thomas Sinclair; BWD Montgomery; Fred Crawford; George Clark (Workman & Clark, Shipbuilders); J Milne Barbour (William Barbour Linen Thread Company, Hilden); and James Mackie (James Mackie and Sons Iron Foundry, Belfast). Frank Workman, Clark’s partner in the shipyard, was Honorary Treasurer of the YCV and financed the organisation out of his own pocket.

The close association with the city continued throughout the YCV’s existence. In October 1912, Belfast Corporation sanctioned the use of St. George’s Market in May Street as a drill hall for the Belfast Battalion on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The Municipal Technical Institute (The Tech) in College Square

The YCV was formally launched by the Lord Mayor at City Hall on 10th September; and the following day, the Northern Whig reported, “The Young Citizen Volunteer movement had a splendid send off last night... was also used as a venue for educational lectures on citizenship and the history of Belfast.

The YCV consisted of eight companies and was commanded by Lt. Col. Chichester, a descendent of Sir Arthur Chichester, the founder of Belfast. His second in command was Major KerrSmylie, chairman of the Northern Whig and Unionist MP for North Antrim; who was in turn supported by Captain Harry Mulholland, a member of the Mulholland family who owned the York Street Flax Spinning Company, the largest spinning mill in the world.

Although established as a separate organisation, the YCV cooperated closely with the Ulster Volunteer Force from the outset, participating in a review of the Belfast UVF at Balmoral in September 1913. In March 1914, on a proposal from their commanding officer, the YCV voted en masse to become part of the UVF.

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BATTLE OF THE

6 1 9 1 E M M O S July holds a special place in the memory of many families across Northern Ireland, as they remember the loss at the Somme. For many young Ulstermen the road to Flanders began years before in the lanes and streets of their native Ulster.

They followed Carson’s call and after signing the Solemn League and Covenant on Ulster Day Saturday 28th September 1912, joined the ranks of the Ulster Volunteer Force. As the Crisis continued events in Ulster were overtaken by those on the Continent as the World lurched towards the Great War. Those brave sons of Ulster formed the 36th Ulster Division and marched to death and immortal glory at the Somme on 1 July 1916. Today in many homes across Ulster two treasured possessions hang , they are two documents which tell a story of duty and sacrifice. They are linked by blood as many who signed the Covenant later literally gave their lives at the Somme and the document to the right was sent to their families upon their death.

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Captain W ilfred Spe nder of th HQ staff after the e Ulster D B ivision’s a quoted in ttle of th e Somme the press was as “I am not an Ulsterm saying; an but ye as I follow sterday, t ed their a he 1st. Ju mazing a rather be ly, ttack, I fe an Ulsterm lt that I wou an than a world....Th ld nything e e Ulster D lse in the ivision ha men who s lost more att than half for the Em acked and, in doin the g so, has s pire which acrificed it has treate much der self ided Ulste d them no r Voluntee ne too we equals an ll. T rF y in histor y. Their de orce has won a nam he helped th votion, wh e which ea ich no dou British Em dvance elsewhere, b t has deserved pire. It is d th ue to the that their memory o e gratitude of the beloved P f these bra rovince [s ic] shall b ve fellows e fairly tre ated.�

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Ulster Scots Music and Dance The Festival will provide a range of concerts and performances of the best local and national Ulster Scots acts.

Ulster Scots Ceidilh

Ulster Scots Ceidilh featuring local artists, poets and much more, with fun for all the family.

Music and Dancing and rising some stour.

Ulster Scots Gospel Concert

Ulster Scots inspired Gospel music, either traditional old time gospel, or modern folk and worship based groups.

We wish to thank our main funders the Ulster Scots Agency for having the faith in us to support us as we moved to become a major festival, it has been a big step for us all. Our aim is to provide a program of events which engages and inspires the interest of the local communities by promoting positive Protestantism, traditional Orangeism, and a living Ulster Scots culture and community.

The purpose of our festival is to provide people with opportunities to experience and learn about UlsterScots culture, heritage and language.

It works to develop an existing cultural tradition, namely the Twelfth of July Commemorations which is interwoven with Ulster Scots music and culture, and to structure a series of events that add value, and follow a vision which creates an exciting new fusion of the old and new. This will open up the cultural aspects to a wider audience and ensure community development, cohesion and safety.

Those within the Orange Community get 26

Bread & Jam

Ulster Scots & Gospel Acoustic Sessions Faith and Food – a Flavour of Ulster Scots where we encourage churches, lodges or local cafes and restaurants to open their doors and host an acoustic cafe style event.

Summer Schools & Workshops

The Festival aims to get people involved not just as audiences but also as participants, with taster sessions and classes

to learn and experience and to embrace and champion their rich Ulster Scots culture, while the entire community get an insight and understanding of positive Protestantism and the tradition of Orange celebrations in a welcoming inclusive festival based experience. This will promote reconciliation through education, and engagement.

The experience will be a progressive one with audiences developed to become participants and encouraged to become activists. This will be done through involvement and immersion in the music and culture and history.

Taster sessions, workshops and summer schools will ensure that audiences do not simply sit and watch or stand and listen but get involved and immerse themselves in the experience.

Education is a key theme and both the background as well and the practical aspects of the music and events will be to the fore. It will also focus on local links both to Ulster Scots but also wider aspects of the themes such as the Great War, or Orangeism. The objectives

will be to get audiences to join local Ulster Scots groups or form their own.

As such the vision for the festival goes beyond that of others locally and the potential for Ulster Scots consolidation or development in the area is high.

So now you have heard the theory come and help us put it into practice, which means you getting involved and being more than just audiences. While we hope you will enjoy the events we also hope they will engage and educate you enough that you wish to move from being not just spectators, but supporters, not merely audience members but activists.

Many of our stakeholder groups such as Portglenone Independent District No.4, or the Knights of Malta, or the many band or groups which have featured all are in need of members. Just as Kitchener issued his challenge to the men of his generation we challenge you. We need you to come along to the Festival and then in the weeks and months after to come and join us.

There have been so many highpoints of 2016 it is hard to choose, and as a Festival we have tried to incorporate as many as possible into our programme. From supporting Northern Ireland on their incredible journey to the Euros, we all ‘dared to dream’ and many of our members took the time to be in France to support the Green and White Army.

For those who preferred a less energetic celebration the Queen’s Ninetieth Birthday Celebrations proved perfect. We would like to take this chance to wish her happy birthday, many happy returns and echo the words of our national anthem when we say “God save our gracious Queen!

Long live our noble Queen! God Save the Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the Queen.”

She has dedicated her life to the nation and we wish to show our gratitude for all she has done and as she visits our province many of us have had the opportunity to see her. We owe not only loyalty but a real sense of gratitude for the stability and sense she instils into our nation.

As Prime Ministers and Governments come and go she have remained a permanent feature of national life.

So we wish as a Festival to wish her well and invite you to many of our events where her life and reign will be celebrated.

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War Poems My Boy Jack, by Rudyard Kipling “Have you news of my boy Jack?”

Not this tide.

“When d’you think that he’ll come back?”

Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.

“Has anyone else had word of him?”

Not this tide.

For what is sunk will hardly swim, Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.

“Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?”

None this tide, Nor any tide, Except he did not shame his kind — Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.

Then hold your head up all the more, This tide, And every tide; Because he was the son you bore, And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!

A Tribute to the Fallen by J. McIlhatton The fields of France were green and peaceful Once they lay all drenched with gore While standing by the graves and crosses Where brave young men fell by the score

Remember the Somme by James McIlhatton

In my mind I saw a woman

Far, far away in a ruined French village

By her lover’s side

A wounded volunteer lay breathing his last

She prayed to God her Heavenly Father

His friends and comrades gathered round him As he recounted some memories of the past

For to be their strength and guide Then I saw a grey-haired father

“If you go home to Ulster, say I fell fighting Neath the harp and the crown and red white and blue I fought like a warrior for my people and country

Said I “Dear man it’s useless searching

Just like a good Ulster soldier should do”

I hope to Heaven your son has gone

They laid him to rest in the land of the stranger Where the rattle of gunfire disturbs not his sleep While all his kindred away back in Ulster Weeps for this Ulster soldier away o’er the deep.

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Searching for his only son

Though he fell in the field of battle To his country he was true Fought for England’s hope and glory Neath the flag Red, White and Blue

The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke If I should die, think only this of me: That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is forever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England’s, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres, There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted; They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known As the stars are known to the Night; As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain; As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain.

Messines. June 17th, 1917 A Memory, by Thomas Carnduff It seems but yesterday since we, With flashing eye and naked sword Uncowed by hell’s artillery Kept faith with country and with God. ‘’Twas June, arid nature stood revealed In all its beauty, yet we knew Tomorrow’s sun would surely yield The meadowed fields a crimson hue.

We thought of home - the hills of Down Seemed far away, and yet we saw With dreamy eyes Slieve Donard’s crown Erect above the clouds of war.

Beyond Messines our vision swept O’er white-foamed sea and golden strand And silently teach spirit kept A tryst beneath the Crimson Hand.

‘Ypres’ by Thomas Carnduff

Tis sunset and the crimson glow Spreads like a flaming fan Across the sky, white clouds flow Transparent in its span Light breezes, scented with North Sea spray Breathe murmurs of remorse And leafless shell-scarred branches sway Above each mangled corpse The ancient towers of Ypres loom grim Athwart the crimson sky They silhouette their gaunt dark ruin As if in mute reply Below the ramparts lies the plain As far as eye can see Its beauty scarred with gory stain Of Man’s artillery. ’Neath Zillebeke’s green fossilled lake pale ghostly faces gleam/And round its slimy bottom rake The embers of their dream’

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NORTH ANTRIM DUP - Serving you ALL the time, not just at election time.

Mervyn Storey MLA, Paul Frew MLA, Philip Logan MLA & Ian Paisley MP Offices at: 3 Market St, Ballymoney BT53 6EA T: 02827669753 E: mervynstoreymla@gmail.com 9-11 Church St, Ballymena, BT43 6DD T: 028 25641421 E: paul.frew@mla.niassembly.gov.uk / info@ianpaisleymp.co.uk 3 Fenaghy Road, Galgorm BT42 1DA

WISHING THE INDEPENDENT ORANGE BRETHREN AND ALL THEIR SUPPORTERS A GLORIOUS TWELFTH

Riada Credit Union Ltd 10, Edward Street, Ballymoney, T: 028 27667552

(manned during opening hours)

OPENING HOURS, EVERY FRIDAY 7.00PM—9.00PM.

North Antrim UUP Constituency Office: 13-15 Queen Street, Ballymena, BT42 2BB

028 2565 9595 @RobinSwannUUP

Robin Swann MLA North Antrim UUP Advice Centre

Robin Swann MLA

9

TOWNHILL RD

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7 6 A42

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Portglenone 1

1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church, Main Street

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Community Centre & Marina

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Portglenone Primary School, Cullybackey Road

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Site of the Battle of Portglenone

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3rd Portglenone Presbyterian Church, Townhill Road

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Portglenone Orange Hall, Main Street

Killycoogan and McNeillstown Ind. Orange Halls, Blackstone Road

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Church of Ireland Parochial Hall, Main Street

6 Market Square, Main Street

10 Drumraw, Ind. Orange Hall, Garvaghy Road

Portglenone Independent Orange District No.4, welcome you to their BANNTASTIC TWELTH FESTIVAL 2016.

We hope you and your family will enjoy the very best of Ulster Scots and Orange Culture, History and Spirit during this week. The festival emphasises community safety and we have worked hard to ensure that it is a safe, welcoming and enjoyable festival for all.

How To Find Out More

If you would like to find out more about the Banntastic Twelfth Festival contact members of Portglenone Independent Orange District No.4., or contact us via social media or by email banntasticfestival@gmail.com

KINDLY SPONSORED BY -

How to find us

Portglenone is found on the banks of the Bann between the towns of Ballymena, Ballymoney, and Magherafelt. It remains one of the main crossing points of the Lower Bann.

From Belfast it can be reached via the M2, then through Randalstown or Ballymena A26 then A42.

For further details or tourist information contact the Tourist Office The Braid, Ballymena Town Hall, Museum & Arts Centre, 1-29 Bridge Street Email: tourist.information@ballymena.gov.uk Tel: (028) 2563 5900