the history of the orange order

It Began at Dan Winter’s Cottage

The Orange Order emerged in September 1795, following the Battle of the Diamond in Loughgall, County Armagh. This conflict reflected the broader tensions between Catholics and Protestants in the area. At its heart was the defiance of buildings belonging to Dan Winter, a local grocer and publican. After their victory at Dan Winter’s cottage, a group of Protestants formed an organised institution, marking the birth of the Orange Order.

Not a Secret Society

Unlike earlier secretive societies, the early Orange Order gained support from Tory gentlemen who were wary of rising republican ideas inspired by the American and French revolutions. These tensions shaped the Order’s identity as it opposed Irish nationalism throughout the 19th century. Although it was sometimes banned for contributing to public disorder, the Orange Order became a cornerstone of Irish - and later Ulster - unionism from the 1880s onward.

Rituals and Degrees of the Orange Order

The Order's rituals reflect its biblical inspirations, though they have been simplified over time:

The Orange Degree. Initially based on the themes of the Passover and Exodus, it was simplified in 1800 to a catechism and address.

The Plain Purple Degree. Rooted in the biblical account of the giving of the law to Moses and the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, this degree reflects the sacred colours of the Ark of the Covenant’s curtains - blue and scarlet. It was simplified in 1820 to a session of questions and answers.

A Turbulent Time in Ireland

The 1790s were a period of unrest in Ireland, especially in Ulster, where rural discontent was common. Amid this turmoil, the Loyal Orange Institution was formally established on September 21, 1795. Its members, including Orangemen from Newtownards and Upper Ards, joined the Yeomanry and played a role in suppressing the United Irish Rebellion of 1798.

William Johnston of Ballykilbeg was a folk hero for popular Orangeism during the  19th century. Johnston defied the government’s ban on parades, leading an illegal procession on July 12, 1867, from Newtownards to Bangor to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne.

Orangeism in North Down

The Orange tradition in North Down reflects a strong Huguenot (French Protestant) influence, a legacy of the Glorious Revolution, 1688-1691. Prominent families, such as the Crommelins of Carrowdore and the DeLacherois family of Donaghadee, played key roles in shaping the area's Orange identity.

Today, North Down is home to five Orange districts, each with its own unique history: Newtownards, Upper Ards, Comber, Holywood and Bangor.