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Factfile on Lodge
Name: Killyleagh True Blues L.O.L. No. 549
Founded: 1798
W.M. of Lodge: Samuel Cunningham
Location: Killyleagh, County Down
Killyleagh True Blues L.O.L. 549 has maintained an Orange
presence in the Co. Down village since 1798, the warrant for
the Lodge having been taken out by a Brother George Henry
at that time.
At that time there were 10 members of the Lodge, but over
the years hundreds have swelled the ranks from one generation
to another. Today, there are around a dozen stalwarts who
maintain the tradition first established almost 208 years
ago.
Records show that the Lodge first met in premises which are
now McCorkell's public house, and then moved to Maggie Cush's
house in Plantation Street. In 1870 the Lodge met in a purpose
built Orange Hall in Irish Street, which had cost members
£300 to build.
There are many other interesting footnotes from the Lodge
history, including the fact that in 1868 at least one member
of L.O.L. No. 549 was summoned to the Assizes for attending
a quite famous illegal procession "with William Johnston,
Newtownards to Bangor." Johnston, in fact, appeared as
an inset on a Lodge banner unfurled in 1950.
The Lodge has minute books dating back to 1856 and recently
became the first Lodge to participate in a scheme with the
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, whereby books will
be deposited for safe keeping with the PRONI and a CD copy
of the minutes will be returned to the Lodge.
The earliest minutes from 1856 show that Brother John McKee
was WM at that time, with Brother George King his deputy,
Brother John Porter secretary and William McKibben the treasurer.
Other surnames which appear include Ritchie, Savage, Holland,
Moore, Hamilton, Kennedy, Cairns, Cleland, McNamara, and Russell.
In later years the name of Brother William John Jess would
be a prominent one within the Lodge, for he was WM for some
32 years from the turn of the 20th century.
The Killyleagh Lodge was also very supportive of musicians
and in 1933-34 Killyleagh Harmony Flute Band was established
directly under the control of the Lodge. In 1952 Killyleagh
L.O.L. No. 549 Brass and Reed Band was formed, and this became
a brass band in 1953, and continued in existence until 1986.
In 1982 a special function was held in the Orange Hall at
which seven brethren were honoured for a total of 456 years
service in the Institution. These were Brothers James Bonar,
Alexander Young, Arthur Hunsdale, William McKelvey, Harry
McClurg, Andrew Morrison and Armour Long, and they were joined
by James Ruddock, who had the honour of the recently-formed
accordion band named after him, and four generations of whose
family have been in the Lodge. Within a few years two further
members, William Wilson and James Hunsdale also marked 50
years membership.
The Lodge is headed by Worshipful Master, Brother Samuel
Cunningham, son of 'Big Jimmy' Cunningham, of Fernhill House,
who was managing director of the Northern Whig newspaper and
commanded the Eighth Belfast Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment.
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