TULLYHAPPY TEMPERANCE L.O.L. No. 59

The warrant of this Lodge was first issued on 1st May, 1819. In the first Minute Book of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland L.O.L. 59 is noted but no information is given. The Register of Warrants dated 1825/29 shows the Lodge to be working in Markethill District with the Worshipful Master being Samuel Vint. The 1855 Register advises that the Lodge is actually meeting in Kilcarron in Markethill District. The Worshipful Master is by then a Wm. Vint. In 1875 the Lodge continued to meet in Markethill District with William Cairns as Worshipful Master.

Minute Books are available from September 1919 and it is noted that in the early days, meetings of the Lodge were held in a barn at Keadybeg, Mountnorris. It is recorded that Bro. W. J. Lockhart presented a Bible to the Lodge, on 14th September 1928, on behalf of Mountnorris Presbyterian Church; the Lodge had the Bible bound.

Around this time, a suggestion was mooted that the Lodge should transfer from Markethill District to Bessbrook District, that village being a lot closer. There were protracted discussions with the District Lodge, following the vote being taken to transfer; these went on until 1936, when it was agreed to remain in Markethill District.

A new banner was unfurled on Saturday, 2nd July 1930, and in August 1934, it was decided to build a new Orange Hall, the old one being beyond repair. Three Brethren were elected to approach a Mr. R. Cairns for ground to build the Hall on, and possibly a subscription. Funds were obtained and the Hall built, being named the W. & D. Cairns Memorial Orange Hall. The Hall was opened on Saturday, 16th October 1937, by Mr. Wm. J. Richardson, and dedicated by Rev. Wm. Martin, Mullaghglass.

At one time, the Lodge had a Pipe Band, but during the 1940’s their Flute Band, which unfortunately was not going well, led the Lodge. At 12th parades and Church services, the Lodge used Mullaghglass and Ballygorman Bands.

During early 1953, it was decided to form a new accordion band, to be called Tullyhappy Coronation. The new band instruments were dedicated on Friday, 22nd June 1953. Uniforms were obtained, these being dedicated on Friday, 20th May 1955; Chairman for the proceedings was Bro. Sir Norman Stronge.

The Lodge decided to purchase a new banner in 1959. The unfurling ceremony took place on the first Friday in June of 1960, again Sir Norman Stronge doing the honour.

With the advent of the present troubles, the Lodge did not escape being affected. The Hall was burnt in 1971, and on 5th January 1976, Bro. Robert Freeburn, along with ten workmates, was murdered by terrorists at Kingsmills, as they returned home from work in Glenanne factory. Rev. A. E. Crawford, Bessbrook, dedicated a plaque in the Hall, to his memory, on 5th May 1978.

On 16th May 1980, new band uniforms were dedicated by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro. Rev. Martin Smyth. Unfortunately, the band folded in 1988, and although it re-formed in 1989 to take part in the 12th and 13th parades, it folded again. Efforts are now being made to restart it in time for the 2006 ‘12th’ demonstration in Richhill.

The Lodge, and indeed the Band, has had a chequered history, and with God’s help and guidance, will approach the future in a prosperous condition.

KILBRACKS BIBLE AND CROWN DEFENDERS L.O.L. No. 119

Kilbracks L.O.L. No. 119 is possibly one of the few Lodges within the District which has records available dating back to the year 1800. This Warrant number is included in the 1798 minute book of Grand Lodge. Lodge records show L.O.L. No. 119 to be working in Markethill with sixty-three members, with the Worshipful Master, Brother Robert Aughaltree and the Deputy Master Brother James Cleeland.

At a meeting held on 12th February 1802, nineteen brethren were present and it was resolved that the Lodge would meet at 5 o’clock every second Friday in the month. Fines were to be imposed for non-attendance — Worshipful Master 10d. (5p), Deputy Master 6½d., ordinary members 3½d., arriving late 3½d.

The minute books from the years around 1834 show the Lodge to be meeting in a house in the townland of Lattery. An Orange Ball was held on 14th February 1834, in the Worshipful Master’s house, Brother William Johnstone.

The Lodge over the years had many by-laws made, and detailed below are those implemented for the ‘12th’ July, 1841:—

1) Member not attending ‘12th’ before 11.30 a.m. to be fined 6d. or 12d. at least.

2)       Member getting drunk to be fined one shilling.

3)       Member quarrelling in Lodge room on ‘12th’ to be expelled for one year.

4)       Visiting member on the ‘12th’ would pay two shillings 6d., for his exchange, with a line or a certificate.”

The 1856 Minute Book records the Lodge meeting at a house in Corhammock, with Brother Benjamin Parr, Worshipful Master and Brother David Scarr, Deputy Master. By 1876, the Lodge had moved to Kilbracks, with Brother William Agnew Worshipful Master and Brother James Hutton, Deputy Master.

In 1882 Brother James Feenan was Worshipful Master, and Brother James Taylor was Deputy Master. For the ‘12th’ July, 1885 the following liquid refreshments were ordered:— 1 gallon whiskey — sixteen shillings; 2 bottles sherry wine — four shillings; ½ pint of malt — one shilling and two pence — paid to R. Hampton on 13th July, 1885.

On 28th May 1910, Brother Thomas Cummings and Brother Robert Gordon were noted in the minutes as preparing to emigrate. Brother Samuel Gwynne was Worshipful Master at this time.

In the late 1920’s the Lodge decided to build a new Orange Hall; this was officially opened on the last Saturday in June 1930. The District requested all local Lodges to be present. Incidentally, the Hall cost £103.6s.6d., materials being supplied by Joseph Adams, Hardware Merchant, Markethill.

A new Lodge banner was purchased in 1939, costing £42.1.s. 10 ½d. and around this time, the Lodge had its own flute band; Brother William H. Anderson was Worshipful Master and Brother T. McWhirter was Deputy Master.

The Anderson and Marshall families have always had a long association with the Lodge. Indeed Brother Edward Marshall was Worshipful Master for twenty-three years. In 1972 a new banner was unfurled by Mrs. Jane Marshall, the Worshipful Master’s wife, and dedicated by Brother Rev. Dr. Scott of Ahorey Presbyterian Church.

On occasions in past years, the Lodge has carried Lambeg Drums at ‘12th’ parades, and more recently, the Kilbracks Bible and Crown Defenders Junior L.O.L. No. 75 has accompanied the Lodge on parade; the Junior Lodge is under the jurisdiction of the District Lodge. A Junior Lodge had been formed in Kilbracks taking the same title in December 1933, but had become dormant before the Second World War, in 1937; this Junior Lodge was revived in 1986.

Kilbracks Orange Hall is located off the Mowhan Road, and to mark the new Millennium and the Hall's 70th anniversary; the District Lodge planted a bed of Orange Lilies in the grounds.

KILCLUNEY TEMPERANCE VOLUNTEERS L.O.L. No. 132

The Lodge, under Warrant No. 936, was founded by the Rector of the Abbey Church, Cladymilltown Road, Townland of Kilcluney — Rev. Hutchings; the title was “Kilclooney Temperance Volunteers”. It was in the 1920’s that the Warrant No. 936 was surrendered in order to obtain a lower one No. 132, which had belonged to another Lodge in Markethill District, and which had gone dormant some time previously.

In 1798, No. 132 had been meeting in the Maze District of Co. Down but on 29 September 1823 the Warrant was transferred to a Lodge in Markethill District with David Edwards as Worshipful Master.

The 1856 Register shows the Lodge to be working at Mullurg, Marlacoo with D. Edwards as Worshipful Master. By 1875 the Worshipful Master was John Black and this remains the case of 1891.

Meetings in the early days were held in the Abbey Church Hall, the present Orange Hall being built in the early 1930’s. The foundation stones came from the Worshipful Master at the time, Bro. Thomas Johnston of Carricklane, and were drawn by horse and cart.

The new Hall was opened on the third Saturday in June, 1934. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, a lot of the Lodge records and history have been lost, but it is known that down the years Kilcluney Orange Hall was often used for Gospel Missions.

The Lodge has had four banners during this Century. A blue banner was obtained in the early 1900’s and this is still in the Lodge possession. A second banner was purchased in 1928, a third during the years after the Second World War, and the present one in 1969.

A member of the Lodge, Bro. Bob Walker, was among those murdered in the Kingsmills Massacre, in January 1976, when Republican terrorists ambushed a bus carrying workers home from Glenanne Factory; a memorial tablet was subsequently erected in the Orange Hall.

Electric was installed in the Hall in 1979, gas lights having been used up to then. Around this time also, toilets were added and the kitchen fitted out. In recent years, further improvements have been undertaken, and it is the intention to have the Hall re-dedicated this year.

The Lodge has its own band, Kilcluney Volunteers Flute Band, which has won many trophies at band parades, etc. The band has also been a fertile recruiting base for the Lodge, and this was evident in the 1980’s, leading to the Lodge reaching its current numerical strength.

One member of note was Bro. Andrew H. Clarke of Lisnaget, who wrote Orange songs and ballads. The poem tells of Kilcluney Lodge in the early 1900’s, and mentions the Blue Banner; note the spelling of Kilcluney and the previous warrant number. Bro. Clarke was Lodge Secretary, at this time.

GLENANNE CROWN PRINCE L.O.L. No. 133

Our story begins in the year A.D. 1874 when on 6th July an Orange Warrant was issued to Bro. Joseph Maxwell Worshipful Master L.O.L. 133 under which he could hold Orange Lodge meetings at Glen Anne in the County of Armagh.

In those days few if any Lodges owned a hall, so meetings were held in the home of one of the members; it was no different in the case of this Lodge, as they held their Lodge meetings in the barn at the home of Andrew Patterson, their meeting place therefore became known locally as “Pattersons Barn”, incidentally the building is still in use by the Patterson family.

The building now used as an Orange Hall was constructed in 1859 for use as a school with dwelling house attached, on ground which at that time was part of the Gosford Estate.

Unfortunately the records from 1874 until 1911, a gap of 37 years are missing, but it would appear that the Lodge was able to rent the building for use as a hail around the turn of the century.

In the year 1911 the membership of the Lodge was 39 and has varied very little until the present day; the dues per member per month were 6 old pence (2½p) — how the value of money has decreased.

The minute for June 19th, 1919, states that the new banner would be unfurled for ‘12th’ July demonstration, no other details are given.

In the year 1921 the Lodge decided to purchase the property from the trustees of Gosford Estate.

In lighter vein — in December 1926 the Lodge decided to purchase small collarettes for use in the Lodge room; the reason given was that members always arrived for meetings minus their regalia — why this temporary lapse of memory should occur amongst so many once every month was never discovered.

Another banner was again unfurled on July 12th, 1949 and a new bannerette on 30th May, 1959 to celebrate the centenary of the Orange Hall, built in 1859.

The present banner was unfurled on the morning of July 12th, 1978.

In November 1988 a fire destroyed the residence attached to the hail and badly damaged the hall kitchen. After some deliberation it was decided to clear the site of the burned building and erect a new hall. No time was lost in getting this project under way, and the new hail was officially opened on Easter Monday, 1st April, 1991.

It must be recorded and is worthy of recognition that many of the brethren served in the Armed Forces of the Crown during World War I and World War II and continue to serve during the present troubles.

LATTERY PURPLE HEROES L.O.L. No. 222

This warrant was operating in the year 1798. It was held by the Armagh Regiment, the Worshipful Master being a Sergeant McDowell and the Lodge had a membership of 107. In 1823 the warrant was renewed to Markethill District, the Worshipful Master being Robert Black.

The Register of 1856 shows that the Lodge was meeting at Lattery about one and a-half miles from Markethill, the Worshipful Master being Matthew Black. In 1875 the Worshipful Master was James Black and this is confirmed in the 1891 Register.

A new banner was purchased on 22nd June 1907 from William Bridgett of Great Victoria Street, Belfast at a cost of £17 7s 0d. (Incidentally, Bro. Bridgett was a native of the Markethill area).

Lattery Lodge moved around quite a lot. From its original place of meeting at Lattery it moved to the town of Markethill, holding its meeting for a period in the District Hall, then moving to Kilcluney Orange Hall during the war years of 1939 to 1945, moving again to the late Bro. John Clarke’s rooms at Main Street, Markethill. During this period the Worshipful Master was the late Bro. Robert Millar who was a leading figure in Markethill Royal Black District Chapter No. 3, also County Grand Treasurer of County Armagh Grand Black Chapter. He was also a member of Tandragee Rural District Council, a Justice of the Peace and a very staunch Presbyterian, worshipping regularly at the local Church.

The late Bro. Millar passed on during 1943 and in his will he bequeathed to the Lodge a dwelling at Mallagh’s Terrace for use as an Orange Hall.

This was used for a few years then sold off, the Lodge moving back to the District Hall at Main Street. In 1961 the District Lodge proposed disposing of their Hall and Lattery Lodge purchased the same on the provision that the District hold their quarterly meetings in the said premises.  During the late 1990's the Lodge sold the Hall to Mid-Armagh Community Association (An Ulster-Scot Group).

A banner was purchased by the Lodge in June 1931 at a cost of £27 1 5s 0d. The present banner depicting the Landing of William at Carrickfergus and on the reverse side the Martyrdom of Latimer and Ridley, was unfurled on 8th July 1993. The Lodge has had the services of Markethill Pipe Band since the late 1930’s (on 12th July and other parades). Previously 222 was accompanied by Lambeg Drums and indeed on several occasions a fifer was employed.

The Lodge sustained the death of Brother Mervyn Robinson, at the hands of the I.R.A., on 27th April 1981.

MOUNTNORRIS TRUE BLUES L.O.L. No. 346

The warrant now held by the above lodge firstly belonged to a lodge in the 3rd Battalion Bredalbane Regiment with seventy members, and the Worshipful Master was Robert Whitten. By 1825/29 the warrant was working in Manor Cunningham, Co. Donegal, where it remained until 1888 when it is noted that no return was made to Grand Lodge that year. It was re-issued on 1st June 1892 to Bro. James Beattie for a lodge in Markethill District. Mountnorris obtained the warrant on 11th June, 1906; issued to Bro. William John Scarr.

Unfortunately records of L.O.L. 346 only go back to August 1933, when Bro. Hugh Collins was Worshipful Master and Bro. James Wallace Deputy Master. The deeds of the Hall were obtained in 1933 and the land on which the Hall is built was given by Bro. William John Scarr of Killycarron, Loughgilly, Co. Armagh.

A Junior Lodge was formed on 21St April, 1936, and the members were initiated by Bro. Samuel Megaw from Tannagh, Killylea, Co. Armagh and the Worshipful Master of L.O.L. 346 Bro. Hugh Collins. The number of this junior lodge was 107.

The Senior Lodge was accompanied by the Brigade Band from Armagh on 12th July, 1935 who were paid £5. 15.0 for their services. The Hall was used for dancing classes run by Bros. A. McMullen, G. Quinn and J. Black during 1940 and also the Coronation celebrations in the village of Mountnorris in 1953.

As no ‘12th’ demonstrations were held during the war years the lodge met each 12th and held a social evening.

The first demonstration held after the war was in July 1945, six years from the last parade. It was held in Markethill in Bro. G. Allen’s field where Bro. Sir Norman Stronge, Deputy Grand Master of Ireland, gave a short address.

The decision to purchase a new banner was made at a lodge meeting on Friday, 4th January, 1946 and each lodge member gave £1.0.0. towards the cost. The new banner was eventually ordered in July 1948 with T. J. Robinson of Portadown and on the front was to be King William III on horseback plus ‘In Glorious and Immortal Memory’ printed and the ‘Secret of England’s Greatness’ on the back. The unfurling of the new banner was held on 11 June 1949 at 4 p.m. in Mountnorris and the bands which attended were Belleeks, Ballygorman, Tullyhappy and Mountnorris. Sister D. McNabb M.P. unfurled the new banner and also present was Bro. G. Parr, Deputy District Master.

Mountnorris Flute Band started up again in April, 1946, and accompanied the Lodge on 12th July 1946 to the demonstration in Markethill. Bro. Isaac Chambers from Loughgilly led the band and a Mr. Fred Denny from Poyntzpass taught. He cycled to each practice night regardless of the weather and a whip round was made to pay him which sometimes only amounted to 1/6 or 2 shillings. The venue in 1946 was Gosford Demesne and Tandragee District also paraded; Markethill District went to Tandragee on 12th July, 1947. The Hall was wired for electricity in March 1949 and in July/August 1951 a kitchen was added.

While the present Primary School in Mountnorris was being built the Orange Hall was used as classrooms by the Co. Armagh Education Committee.

There was a Royal Black Preceptory and an Apprentice Boys Club meeting in the Orange Hall around this time. This Apprentice Boys Club was the first branch of the Campsie Club formed in Ulster around 1954 and the main office bearers from the City of Londonderry came to Mountnorris to present the warrant. This Club terminated after 5-6 years, W. Elliott was President and Sam Whiteside from Irish Row, Glenanne, Vice President.

At present the John Hunter Memorial Accordion Band accompany the Lodge each 12th July and use the hall on practice nights. It acquired this name in memory of the late Bro. John Hunter who was a tireless worker in the Lodge for many years. Women's L.O.L. No. 24 also meets in the hail.

On 22nd June 1990, a special evening was held in Mountnorris to celebrate the Centenary of the Hall being built and the Tercentenary of the Order. A parade of Brethren, Sisters and bands took place through the village to a field above the hall where the guest speaker was Rt. Worshipful Bro. N. Hood, Co. Grand Master. A silver birch tree was also planted in the grounds of the Hall, and a plaque unveiled in the Hall to mark the occasion, by Worshipful Bro. Hood.

During 1995 their Hall was burnt by terrorists and the new Hall, situated at the top of the village Main Street, was opened on 17th June 2000.

BALLYLANE TRUE BLUES L.O.L. No. 479

As in all Lodges, Minute Books can be hard to locate and even when found, often contain little information. Lodge Secretaries did not feel inclined to give away too much of what was happening in the Lodges. Ballylane LOL No. 479 is no exception, in this regard.

Warrant No. 479 is noted in the first minute book of Grand Lodge, but no information is given. In the Register of Warrants dated 1825/29 it is noted that the Lodge is meeting in the Castledawson District of Co. Londonderry. The Rev. J. Graham reported on 30th January 1854 that the Lodge was Dormant and LOL 510 in Markethill District supposedly surrendered their warrant to obtain a lower number. In actual fact the Castledawson warrant was not Dormant and a duplication existed. The 1856 Register advises that LOL 479, Markethill District, was meeting at Ballylane with the Worshipful Master being a James Bell. In the 1875 Register no mention is made of the Markethill Lodge merely the one in Co. Londonderry which we also note became Dormant in 1888. The next mention of LOL 479, Markethill, is an insert that returns were received from this Lodge in 1897.

From our research the first Minute Book available begins on 1st October 1926. In the ‘Chair’ was Bro. James Black, with Bro. Robert Morrow in the Vice-Chair. The Chaplain was Bro. Joseph Adams, the Secretary Bro. David Hyde and the Treasurer, Bro. William Cordner. Forty-two names were on the Lodge roll, somewhat similar to today.

A new banner purchased from A. M. Purce of Randalstown, was unfurled by Bro. William Cordner on 12th July, 1927. During 1928-29 repairs were carried out to the Orange Hall, money to do same being raised by means of socials and a heavy subscription.

This period saw many Orange Halls in the area re-opened after renovations. On the last Saturday of June 1930, Kilbracks new Orange Hall was opened. A letter was received from the District stating that if a Lodge did not attend, it would be fined.

During the early 1930’s, the Lodge attended several hall re-openings led by Markethill Pipe Band. From 12th July 1934, and subsequent years, the Lodge was led by fife and drum. During those years, the Lodge held a party or social evening each 5th November; then, as now, the catering was in the hands of the Anderson family.

During the war, the Lodge met each ‘12th’ evening, and had dinner together. In 1940, a request was received from a Captain Whiteside for use of the Hall for the Local Defence Volunteer force; the rental agreed was £1. Meetings were infrequent during the war years, and attendance was poor.

1950 saw an extension and repairs carried out to the Orange Hall. In 1955, Bro. Joseph Adams was presented with a collarette and Past Master’s Jewel; he had been a Lodge member for almost 60 years.

On 1st August 1958, it was agreed to impose a minimum levy of £2 per member to purchase a new banner. It was decided to depict “The Secret of England’s Greatness” and “King William III” on same. The unfurling took place on 3rd July 1959, being performed by Mrs. Anderson, and dedicated by Bro. Rev. R. Mcllveen, Lodge Chaplain.

The Lodge was represented at the signing of the Covenant celebrations in Belfast on 29th September, 1962. A Bible was presented for Lodge use, by Bro. Billy Townsend on 4th June, 1960, in memory of Bro. Joe Adams.

The first drumming match, to be held by the Lodge, was in 1971, and organized by Bro. Ernest Sterritt; proceeds amounted to £20.

Lodge membership has continued to fluctuate during the 1980s and in some respects, the Lodge has lagged behind others; for example, electricity was only installed in the Hall in 1986, previously, gas lighting was used. In 1988, the members took the step of changing the night of meeting from the first Friday in the month, to the first Monday. On the 12th July, 1988, the Lodge carried Lambeg Drums again, after a break of some 13 years.

In June 1989, the Lodge presented the Chaplain, Bro. Rev. William Bingham, with an inscribed Bible, following his licensing by the Presbyterian Church. In 1990, the Lodge was devastated by the murder, outside Armagh, of Bro. David Sterritt, an RUC member. Bro. Sterritt was an enthusiastic and committed Orangeman and the members feel his loss deeply. This brief account of the Lodge history is dedicated to his memory.

The Lodge unfurled a new Banner in 2000, to mark the new Millennium.

BELLEEK BIBLE AND CROWN DEFENDERS L.O.L. No. 528

For the history of the Warrant number, prior to 1892, Grand Lodge records indicate it to be working in Dublin in 1825/29. The original lodge Warrant was No. 620; this was later surrendered for the present one No. 528. The 1856 Register confirms that No. 528 is working in Belleek with John Mitchell the Worshipful Master. In 1875, John Forde was Worshipful Master, and this is confirmed in the 1891 Register.

Lodge records are available from 1892, when the Worshipful Master was Bro. Wm. G. McKnight; dues were 3d per month. The meeting on 1st September 1892.

In 1894, each member paid 1 shilling to seal and repair the Lodge room. In 1900, the Lodge purchased a Union Flag to be put on the spire of Belleek Parish Church; the member who erected the flag received a pint of whiskey! At this time, the Worshipful Master received a subscription of 1 shilling for attending a District Lodge meeting.

During the meeting in August 1918, each member was levied 5 shillings for the purchase of a new flag; it is not clear what type of flag, but it is assumed that it would have been a Lodge flag, the forerunner of the banners of today. During the war years, the Lodge held quarterly meetings only.

A banner was purchased in late 1918, and it was decided that the name of the Lodge should be “Belleek Arch Purple Marksmen.” In June 1919, it was decided to hold an anniversary Church Service on the second Sunday of June each year.

At this time, plans were laid for the building of a new hall for the Lodge, a Mr. Aiken having given a site in August 1919. The hall was opened on 6th November, 1926, and the keys of the old premises were to be handed to the Clergy of Ballymoyer Parish Church.

In January 1924, it was decided to form a flute band, the services of a band-teacher were obtained, and the band was formed on 5th May, 1924.

The inside of the hail was painted in June 1938, the cost being the princely sum of £2. 10s.0d. During the Second World War, members serving in the Forces were exempt from paying dues. The current seal of the Lodge was purchased on 3rd May, 1948.

A new banner was purchased from Robinson’s of Portadown on 3rd November, 1952, and it was decided to change the Lodge title to “Belleek Bible and Crown Defenders”. The Banner was unfurled on 27th June, 1953.

In that same year, it was proposed to change the band from flute to pipe, but after further deliberation, it was decided to form an accordion band. The first accordions were bought in November 1954, costing £35 each.

Gas lights were installed in the Hall in January 1956, at a cost of £20. Renovations were then carried out in 1961 and a kitchen added; the Hall was re-opened on 1st June 1962. Another banner was unfurled on 10th June, 1965, and in August 1967, electricity was installed in the Hall.

During the troubles, the hail has been attacked three times by Republican terrorists. On 4th August 1970, structural damage was caused to the front gable wall by a bomb. The second attack on 7th December, 1971, caused more widespread damage. Repairs were carried out on both occasions and Brethren guarded the Hall to allow meetings to proceed. Before the Hall could be re-opened, the IRA struck again in 1974, causing major structural damage.

Meetings were held in Glenanne Orange Hall after that, and in November 1977, it was decided to build a new Hall, at a cost of £25,000. Eventually, the cost rose to £45,000, which was considered too high, and the decision was taken to repair the existing property. The repair work cost £21,552, and the Hall, complete with extension, was re-opened in June 1980, by Most Worshipful Bro. Rev. Martin Smyth, Grand Master.  This Lodge has suffered more than any other within the District at the hands of terrorists, when in 1995, the Hall was once again destroyed.  However, the members were determined not to be moved and a new Hall was opened on 27th June 1998.

One of the Lodge members, Bro. Robert Lockhart, a Police Reservist, was murdered on 17th April 1979, by the IRA.

The Lodge continues to flourish, in territory that could be considered hostile. On 18th April 1988, members decided to form a bond of friendship with “Sons and Daughters of William” L.O.L. No. 64, Perth, Western Australia and in 1990, the Lodge was visited by Bro. Bob Hunter, of that Lodge.

LURGAROSS ORANGE HEROES L.O.L. No. 620

Sadly records and Minutes Books for Lurgaross have been mislaid over the years, and minutes can only be found from 1936. However, after some research I can give a brief history of the Lodge.

The Lodge started life on the 15th September, 1828 and held the number L.O.L. 1237. The Warrant, (which is still in the possession of a Lodge member), was issued to Thomas McKinney of Ballylane, and the Lodge was known as “Ballylane Orange Heroes.” Again as there are no documents one must rely on stories and nostalgic reminisces passed down from father to son, but by all accounts Thomas McKinney seemed to have been somewhat of a character. He enforced a bye-law for example that all Lodge members must wear a pair of buff coloured moleskin trousers, and he led the Lodge to demonstrations on horseback. The Lodge apparently sat at his house, and until recent times the compass and square enhanced the look of the garden gate.

In 1873 the Lodge took out a new number and warrant which was a common practice at the time. The new Lodge number was L.O.L. 620 which had been previously held by Belleek, also of Markethill District, and who had acquired their new number 528. The new warrant was issued on 2nd December, 1873 and was signed by the then County Grand Master, Rt. Wor. Bro. Winfield Verner. (It may be of interest to note that although the Grand Lodge had dissolved itself after the Cumberland Plot, certain counties namely Armagh and Down continued to issue warrants and this is the reason there are so many duplicate numbers; L.O.L. 620 had a duplicate number in Saintfield, Co. Down).

For some reason in the early years of 620 the Lodge did not seem to have a home of its own and enjoyed the hospitality of various halls and houses for their meetings. They met for some time in Mountnorris Orange Hall, Lemmon’s house and other (probably members) homes in the Glenanne area. The last of these being Sydney Russell’s barn at Loughgilly before the move to the new hall at Lurgaross in 1936. During the nomadic years the Lodge acquired the rather ‘tongue-in-cheek’ title of “The Hounds,” an obvious reference to the number of times the Lodge had been hounded from one meeting place to another.

However, in 1936 under the guidance of the then Worshipful Master Bob Bell the new hail was opened and the Lodge’s wandering days had ended. This was obviously a new breath of life to the Lodge and numbers started to rise. Indeed as a result we have six 50 year members in the Lodge all recruited about this time.

The Lodge seemed to have ran many socials and dances in the post war years, and would appear to have become somewhat of a social centre for the area. It would have been about this time that the hall was affectionately known as “Tin Town,” a reference to the corrugated iron construction of the hail at the time. An annual picnic seems also to have been a favourite event. This was held in June or July to various fields and venues, and would appear to have been a very popular outing for both young and old.

Lurgaross, was always known as a drumming Lodge and no-one can remember them having a Band to lead them on the "12th".  However, for a few years just after the Second World War, the services of two pipers were used. This was a common practice for Lodges at the time. Again, Lambeg Drums made an appearance, leading the Lodge on the "12th" since 1985, after an absence of about 20 years.

In 1986, due mainly to necessity, the Lodge undertook an extensive renovation of the Hall. The Hall is now more comfortable and secure than the old tin structure, but many of the original details have been left and the Hall has not lost any of its character.

On a sadder note the Lodge has not been spared the torment of terrorism and in late 1982 had two of its members murdered by the IRA. The first was Bro Tommy Cochrane, a Part-time Sergeant in the UDR, who was abducted on 22nd October and found shot dead in South Armagh on 27th October. A memorial Banner to his memory was unfurled in 1983 and depicts his portrait and the UDR crest.  On 16th. November 1982, whilst performing duty at the security barriers in Newry Street, Markethill, Bro Snowden Corkey, a member of the RUC Reserve, was shot dead along with another colleague.  Both these members are remembered on a memorial plaque in the Hall, which was unveiled on 10th June 1989 by the widows of Tommy and Snowden.

REDROCK PURPLE STAR HEROES L.O.L. No. 788

This Warrant was first issued to a Lodge in County Monaghan in 1818, but was re-issued to a Lodge in Markethill District on 29th September, 1823, with John Milligan of Cavanagrove, Worshipful Master. The early meetings of the Lodge were held in John Milligan’s house and the Lodge assumed the title Cavanagrove L.O.L.

A Newspaper Report on 12th. July 1835 parade, reports as follows - “By break of day, the inhabitants of the surrounding neighbourhood were to be seen moving in all directions, to celebrate the anniversary of a day, held always dear by every genuine Protestant, and sincere lover of civil and religious liberty. At about 8 o’clock, the Ballymacally Lodge No 788, made its appearance - about 60 individuals, in procession, to join other of their brethren in Markethill. They were all young men of most unblemished and peaceable character. It will be truly gratifying to the friends of harmony and good order, to hear this little band of patriots, during the entire day, conducted themselves in a most peaceable, sober, orderly and praiseworthy manner, returning home in the evening without an intoxicated person among them, and without offending, or giving offence to any”.

The Lodge today still works under a Warrant dated 1st May, 1849, and issued to William Morgan. The Lodge then held its meetings at Morgan’s house, where the Warrant was hidden up the chimney in the “parlor” as soot and smoke marks can still be seen on it.

William Morgan remained Worshipful Master unto 1881, when William Bell was elected Master and remained unto his death in 1917. Other Worshipful Masters were — Thomas W. Williamson 1917 - 1920; Joseph Bell 1921 - 1926; Crozier Wilson 1927 - 1948; David Crozier 1949 - 1973; James Reaney 1974 - 1984 and George McCall 1985 to the present. A total of nine Masters in one hundred and sixty-seven years.

The oldest Minute Book commenced 3rd May, 1909 (older ones destroyed by damp) in which it states “12th July 1910, dues and levy for the day, at Bessbrook, two shillings and seven pence (12½p).” They took a fifer paying him twelve shillings (60p) and Flagmen four shillings (2Op).

At a meeting on 5th May, 1911, it was proposed and passed “that the members of 788 herby agree to pay voluntarily a contribution to Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, at the rate of one penny per head per month until such time as the notice of motion now before Grand Lodge becomes law and payment compulsory.”

In July 1924, a new Banner was unfurled costing thirty-two pounds fifteen shillings. Other Banners were purchased in 1949 and the present one in 1961, at a cost of ninety-nine pounds.

No definite date can be given when the Orange Hall was built, but it seems probable that this was during the 1880s, on perusal of old maps. The Hall was widened and new floors fitted, and re-opened on 1st July, 1933. Again, the Hall was extended with new kitchen and toilet block, and re-opened by Sister Dinah McNabb M.P. during August 1955.

As well as having a fifer in the past, the Lodge had Lambeg Drums to accompany them on the ‘12th’. At the Demonstration in Armagh in 1924 the Lodge was accompanied by no less than six Lambegs; such was the vibration from these drums while they were paraded through Scotch Street that it caused jewellery in a shop window to fall off their stands and some were damaged. The owner vowed that while he lived he would never allow the “Rock” Drums back into Armagh. This seems to have happened for the Lodge purchased Flutes and Drums with a view to start a Band, however, six years later the Band had ceased and Lambegs again accompanied the Lodge unto 1946 when the Band was again revived. At present the Lodge still have in their possession three Lambegs. The Band, Redrock Purple Heroes Flute, accompany the Lodge and attend many Band Parades.

Tragically, the Lodge lost two of its members, Bro. Michael F. L. Marshall (RUC), was murdered by terrorists on 20th October, 1989. A memorial, in the Hall, was unveiled and dedicated to Michael’s memory in the Hall on 21