Brookborough Boyne Celebrations 1852

Bro. Mike Phelan, a member of the Grand Lodge of England, has been trawling through copies of the Orange Banner, a mid 19th century publication from Squire Auty, a prominent English Orangeman.
One of the items from August 1852 concerns the celebrations of the Boyne anniversary in Brookborough, County Fermanagh.
The article states that " On Thursday the 1st July, being the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, the members of the Brookborough District met together in the new Orange Hall, Brookborough, to commemorate that glorious day.
Upwards of 180 good men and true sat down to tea. There was a great many visiting brothers, from the surrounding Districts. Sir A.B. Brook, Bart, MP, DM, occupied the Chair, and George Brook, esq., DL, DDM in the Vice Chair. The Worthy Chairman, in a neat speech, urged them to persevere in the good old cause for which they were now assembled, and never their rights and liberties to their enemies. He was happy in occupying the place he filled that night, and was proud in being their District Master.
It gave him great pleasure to see the fine hall they had to assemble in, and more so to see it filled by such men as he beheld, the offspring of those Fermanagh men that were the flower of Williams army, at the Boyne and Aughrim. He would always uphold the principles which he then held, which his forefathers held from Cromwell's time in this country. He gave the " Queen, and the rest family"; and the National Anthem, all standing.
"The Glorious Memory of William III, who freed us from popish slavery and arbitrary power." ( Cheers and Kentish Fire ). Lord Enniskillen our Grand Master, and the Orangemen of Ireland", ( immense cheering and Kentish Fire ) " The Orangemen of England", "Earl Derby", and many other toasts too numerous to mention, all of which were responded to by men of talent and worth, namely the Rev. Burnside; Baley; Flanigan: and Welsh: Dr Welsh, DS; Sankes, esq., DT; George Brook, DSM; & C.
" The meeting broke up at a late hour, all highly pleased, hoping to have many such every year. It was the largest meeting ever known in this town; there were two fine flags waving on the Orange Hall from the 1st to the 12th, July" the article states.

Did You Know ?

The siege of Derry took place 1688 - 1689 and is recorded as being the longest siege in British military history having lasted 105 days.
It was at Groomsport ( just 3 miles from Donaghadee ) Fredrick Herman, the Duke of Schomberg, who was second in command to King William III, landed with the first of the Williamite Army in 1689.
King William III spent an afternoon inspecting troops on Blaris Moor, Lisburn and then went on to Hillsborough Castle for the night.
Loughbrickland was the rendezvous point for King Williams troops dispersed in winter quarters and a large stone now marks the spot where the army camped.
The Battle of Newtownbutler took place on 31st July 1689. Approximately 2,000 Williamite Inniskillingers came face to face with the Jacobite force about a mile south of Newtownbutler.
King James II landed at Kinsale, County Cork, on the 12th March 1689 in an attempt to reclaim the throne of England, Scotland and Ireland.

The above article is taken from the Orange Standard and kindly reproduced here with the kind permission of the Editor.

To find out more about the Orange Standard ( the official publication of the Orange Institution )or to subscribe visit the Grand Orange Lodge of Irelands Website.