175th anniversary of the Battle of Crossgar

Motion Text

That this House notes the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Crossgar, which took place on St Patricks Day 1849 when over 3,000 Catholic Ribbonmen descended on Crossgar and clashed with local Orangemen; highlights that due to this riot all parades were subsequently banned, but not before a retaliation battle at Dollys Brae later that summer; underlines the tremendous efforts of influential Orangeman, William Johnston MP of Ballykilbeg who was instrumental in getting the parading ban repealed in 1872 and who three years later laid the foundation stone for Killyleagh Street Orange Hall which still remains today; and further highlights the significance of this event for Orange heritage and that the history of this event will not be forgotten.