Lisnagrot Temperance Loyal Orange Lodge 1517

Est. 1854

The first 150 years... A brief summary by the Late 
Bro. George A McIlrath MBE - Hon. Secretary from 1935 to 1949

Click here for text only version

FIRST STEPS - In 1854 the worst effects of the Irish Famine were already beginning to recede. The population of Ireland had diminished from a peak of 8,000,000 to around 4,000,000 through starvation from the repeated failure of the potato crop and subsequent mass emigration to continental North America. The Presbyterian Church had established the Union College in Belfast to educate people for the Christian ministry just four years before some of our forefathers decided to form an Orange lodge for the people of Lisnagrot.

MEMBERSHIP - The 1856 minute records the following as being members. Their names are spelled as per the minute book and are:

 Robert Patterson, Alex Campbell, James Campbell, William Mayberry, John Moons, John Mayberry, Henry Patterson, James Torns, John Lenox, Thomas McKay, Robert Millar, Thomas Anderson, Joseph Patterson, Alexander Patterson, Archy Campbell, Allen Mucklefatrick, Joseph Wallace, Robert Campbell, Archibald Campbell, John Homs, William Steward, John McConnell, Thomas Lennox, Joseph Bellingham, William Kerr, Henry Kerr, Thomas Mitchel, Archy McKay, William Hunter, James Earl and William Michael - a total of 31.

The new Lodge held its first meetings several venues around Kilrea such as McKeown's barn in Church St., Mr.Bamford's Hall in Maghera St., somewhere in Bridge St. and at Second Kilrea Manse when Reverend Gallagher became a member.

A new Orange Hall (shown left) was built in 1909 in partnership with other local lodges and the record shows that Lisnagrot L.O.L. 1517 held their   first meeting here on 6th April 1910.

 

HOME RULE - By 1912 there was political pressure from the Parliament in Westminster for Home Rule for Ireland. The minutes briefly show that the Lisnagrot brethren were taking this in their stride and were organizing support for the massive protest demonstration held in Belfast culminating in the signing of the Ulster Covenant.

 

WORLD WAR I - In 1915 the records show that four members were on active service in World War I. Brother William Richie, a Worshipful Master of the lodge, died in the fighting in France and is commemorated by a plaque erected in the Orange Hall. 

RITCHIE, WILLIAM JAMES Private 15971 01/07/1916 21 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers United Kingdom Pier and Face 4 D and 5 B. THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

 

WORLD WAR II - Lisnagrot 1517 continued to meet monthly until World War II when troops evacuated from Dunkirk were billeted in the Orange Hall for a period. Soldiers were also billeted in the Town Hall, and the Convent (now the Manor Hotel) became an American Military Hospital.

 

 

BAND - Several locally-raised bands were used by the Lodge over their history including their present very successful Lisnagrot Accordion Band which first emerged in 1956/7. They are shown here 'on parade', leading a Boy's Brigade parade in the near-by village of Portglenone.

 

 

 

TERCENTENARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE - 1990 was the year when the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland organised a year of celebrations to mark the Tercentenary of the Battle of the Boyne which changed the democracy of Europe for good. Lisnagrot LOL 1517 played host to the members of a Canadian Lodge made up entirely of Mohawk Indians and a visiting Brother from Accra in West Africa. A large supper was organised in First Kilrea Presbyterian Hall and Orange brethren from all over Ulster including Lisnagrot's twin Lodge from County Cavan attended.

 

150 YEARS ANNIVERSARY DINNER - L.O.L. 1517 held a dinner in Bushtown House Hotel to mark the occasion. Present were the Grand Master of the Orange Order (Wor. Bro. Robert Saulters) and the new County Grand Master of County Londonderry.  The proceedings were under the direction of the Lodge's present W.M. Wor. Bro. Leslie Blair.

 

PHOTOS - To be added soon!

    Click on Photo to enlarge!

Kilrea District Officers preparing to leave the 'field' on the Twelfth at Ballyronan

 

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