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Factfile on Lodge
Name: Altnaveigh L.O.L. NO. 37
Founded: 1798
W.M. of Lodge: John McCullough
Location: Newry, County Down
Altnaveigh is a small townland to the south-west of Newry,
a short distance from the border with the Irish Republic.
It is believed that an Orange Lodge was formed in the area
in 1798, although it is 1824 before the name of James Leslie
appears with the warrant in Grand Lodge records. In 1829 the
Lodge was part of the newly formed Newry District No.9.
On July 13, 1829, on the return journey home from the Twelfth
in Rathfriland, the Lodge was attacked, poles were stripped
of their ribbons, and lambeg drums had their skins kicked
in. The Worshipful Master at that time, Robert Thompson, and
his brethren, were later praised by the Grand Lodge of Ireland
for not retaliating against the wanton provocation.
Fifty five years later, in 1884, the Twelfth came to Newry
and 40,000 Orangemen walked through the town to a field on
the lands of Henry Thompson near Altnaveigh.
Minutes held by the Lodge go back to 1885, when meetings
were held in Davey McCullagh's barn and the Worshipful Master
was Thomas John Beggs.
In 1837, the Lodge rented accommodation, a vacant two-roomed
cottage, for one shilling a week and in time this property
became Altnaveigh Orange Hall. In 1892 the hall was officially
opened.
Like Orangemen across Ulster the Altnaveigh brethren played
their full role in the Province's history. In 1893 the Lodge
took part in a demonstration against the Home Rule Bill and
in 1912 they marched to Ballyroney, where a demonstration
was held prior to the signing of the Covenant. On Ulster Day
itself members of the Lodge were among those who walked four
deep through Bessbrook en route to signing the document at
the local Orange hall.
Ten years later, in one of the many shameful incidents perpetuated
by Irish republican terrorists, the IRA raided the small unionist
community. The incident, on June 17, 1922, is known in history
as the Altnaveigh Massacre. Protestant houses were reduced
to ashes and five members of the Lodge - Thomas Crozier (along
with his wife Elizabeth), Joseph Gray, John Heslip, Robert
Hesllip and James Lockhart were taken from their beds and
shot. Others were also injured. A year later the Twelfth was
held at Altnaveigh, with brethren from Down and Armagh travelling
to the beleaguered community.
In 1924, Altnaveigh L.O.L. No. 37 led the County Armagh procession
July 12 in honour of the deep loss which the Lodge had suffered.
The brethren of the Lodge also decided to devise a permanent
memorial to those brave souls who had been butchered, and
this took the form of memorial tablets and the annual Altnaveigh
service, which is still maintained today as a lasting tribute
to those who suffered and died for their faith in 1922.
In 1951, a new banner was unveiled showing the houses that
had been reduced to ashes during the attack, and this image
has remained on every banner since, including the most recent,
which was dedicated in June 2000.
In the history of the Lodge there have also been humorous
moments. In the Second World War, when GI troops were stationed
in the area, RBP 59 obtained the hall for a 'Black Ball'.
American coloured troops stationed at Richardson's Demense
on the Camlough Road mistakenly believed this event had been
put on in their honour and quickly adopted Altnaveigh as their
patch.
The Lodge had humble beginnings, in 1887 there were only
five members listed in the returns to Newry District, now
the Lodge has a membership of over 70. In 1995, moreover,
members of the Lodge were instrumental in setting up Altnaveigh
House Cultural Society, culminating in the purchase of Altnaveigh
House, Newry.
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