THE '98 CENTENARY IN ULSTER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 9, 1 July 1898, Page 28

THE '98 CENTENARY IN ULSTER.

OBANGE ROWDYISM. The Ballynahinch correspondent of the Belfast Irish Weekly, May 7, wrote as follows :—: — Immediately on the news being received in Ballynahinch that a few of the clubs in Belfast decided on visiting and decorating the graves of Betsy Gray, George Gray, and William Boal,at Ballycreen, near Ballyuahinch, on Sunday, the local Nationalists were determined to assist in carrying out the decorations. The programme, as at first arranged, was deviated from in consequence of an alleged organised attack on the decorators by Orangemen of the district. Early on Sunday morning a few of the Nationalists of Ballynahinch placed two beautiful wreaths on the graves, one from the Nationalist ladies of Ballynahinch. The second wreath sent by the Nationalists of Ballynahiuch was in the form of Erin's immortal emblem, and was decorated most artistically. Early as it was in the morning Orange sentinels were on the watch to prevent the visitors carrying out their decorations ; nevertheless, no less than seven beautiful wreaths were placed on the graves, although the hand of the desecrator had been in evidence in demolishing the stone and railing. On the arrival of the Belfast train in Ballynahinch, a large crowd of Orange rowdies had assembled, but the; police, who were strongly in force, under HeadConstable Greer, Downpatrick, and Sergeant Gilmartin, Ballynahinch, prevented any attack being made on the excursionists. The party, after attending last Mass in St. Patrick's, Ballynahinch, proceeded in brakes and curs supplied by Mr. M'Leigh to the Spa. The drive to and from Ballynahinch was highly enjoyed by the visitors. As they proceeded from Ballynahinch they beheld the Wind Mill Hill where stood the brutal English soldiers and yeomanry, while on their return they made a circuitous route, in which the famous hill of Ednavady, where the Irish rebels under Monroe made such a gallant stand in the cause of Ireland's freedom, afforded a beautiful sight. Dinner was afterwards partaken of in the Temperance Hotel, after which a speedily -convened meeting was held, at which a '!>8 Centenary Club, under the name of ' Boal and Gray,' was established. A large number of members joined, and paid their subscriptions. Tlie visitors loft by the evening train. A large crowd of Orangemen had assembled outside the station, but the presence of a tureo of polite h.id a deterrent effect in preventing the rowdies from car 1-3 ing out their designs. A good number of Nationalists congregated to see the visitors off, and amidst cheers the train hteamed out of the station. During the entire day a large crowd of Orangemen, numbering from .>OO to 700, had assembled in the vicinity of the grave, and their conduct was most disgraceful. It was with the greatest difficulty that the police, under Head -Con stable Greer, were able to protect any parties passing in that direction on cars. A car of passengers from Lisburn, whose sympathies, if any, were on the Orange side, was attacked. I understand that the beautiful tombstone recently erected by Gtorge Gray, London, to the memory of the County Down heroes has heen totally demolished, numbers of the Orange rowdies going so far in their desecration as to carry away parts of the broken memorial, and flowers from the wreaths which were placed there during the morning. Their desecration went so far as to have mock pikes to plough into the graves of the heroes of '98.