Glenavy L.O.L. 351

Ballydonaghy Temperance L.O.L. 351

This is a very old lodge and some brethren believe that it was first formed and operated in Killead District Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Ireland say it would appear to have run under a duplicate Warrant number 328 issued on the 16th July 1829.

Warrant No. 351 was issued to this Lodge on the 12th june 1834, and the duplicate Warrant 328 was given to Flowerhill L.O.L. To confuse matters further L.O.L. 351 had been operating up to 1834 in the Lecale District of County Down. The register of warrants (1857) advises that L.O.L. 328 meets at Ballydonaghy in Glenavy District with Brother Wheeler as W. Master.

The earliest Minute Book in the lodges possession is dated 1881. The writer has not had time to research where the lodge first held its meetings. Early minute books refer to the ‘house’ and that a Mrs. Magahey was paid rent of two shillings a month. This may have been the old hall at the corner of the Garlandstown Road with its junction with the Moira Road. The famous Mount was to the rear of this building. In the 1950’s, on ground given by the late Brother Wm. Bryson, the present hall was built. This building suffered extensive damage caused by an I.R.A. explosion in the early hours of Sunday 18th April 1971. After much hard work the brethren had the hall repaired and remodelled. The hall was reopened on 30th June 1973.

Once again the I.R.A. tried to destroy the hall by attempting to burn it down, and once again the ‘No Surrender’ spirit of the brethren came to the fore and soon the hall was repaired.

Many organisations have used the hall as it is one of the largest in the area. The minute books record missions being held in the old hall, and a ‘ping pong ball club’ used the hall in 1902.

It seems that up until 1929 when a Mrs. Johnston unfurled a new banner the Lodge carried a flag.

A major change in Lodge history took place in the early 1920’s when it was proposed and passed on 10th January 1925, ‘that this Lodge become Temperance, and be known as Ballydonaghy Temperance L.O.L.’ The writer remembers the late Brother John Pinkerton P.M., who served for 19 years as W. Master telling him that his father, Brother A. Pinkerton related to him how the lodge never really prospered until it became Temperance.

The writer remembers his mother whose relations were all members of the ‘Mount’, one of whom used to ride a white horse to the lodge meeting telling of the ‘great suppers’ that these brethren attended in the Mount. Apparently these were not to be missed. He also remembers her recalling the words of a song or poem:

‘In the Mount Orange Hall
Where the brethren are Loyal and true.’

Maybe some reader will recall this and the rest of the words.

This lodge is very distinctive with their deep purple collaret’s with an orange border, They are seldom without their famous pipe band which is the pride and joy of all the brethren, It was formed in 1946 and some of the founder members are still on parade. It is well known over a wide area and is one of the most successful pipe bands in South Antrim. Indeed the love of pipes goes back a long way. An early minute book states it was proposed and passed that ‘we get a pair of pipes for the 12th of July 1925’. the band has kept going without a break except in 1987 when they suffered a freak setback, due to an internal dispute. A breakaway by some members, meant that they were left with very little. At a hastily called lodge meeting Brother Winston Pinkerton, Pipe Major, assured brethren that he would have a band for the 12th demonstration in Stoneyford that year. True to his word Brother Pinkerton had a band, but they had to parade without any uniforms. The drum corp consisted of some very young drummers, and their average age was 11 years old. Band members, Ladies committee, Lodge brethren, friends and the local people all round the area, rallied together and soon the band had a new uniform and a new set of drums.

Brother Winston Pinkerton and a fellow bandsman will always be remembered for their determined spirit to carry on. Soon he had a band fit to play contests, winning many trophies. 1988 will always be remembered with much pride, as they decided to enter the World Championships in Scotland. The young drum corp ended up as Grade 4 champions and the band was 4th overall. 1989 was also a very successful year when they won the All-Ireland and Ulster Championships plus many other contests. It is not unusual for the band to turn out on the 12th with up to 28 bandsmen. It is indeed a wonderful sight when other bands can hardly get enough players to go on parade. As a lodge band they will always walk behind the banner.

Some lodge members and their wives and families have formed a supporters club, and held contests, and recently presented the band with a bannerette and other items.

For many years before the band was formed the lodge had Lambeg Drums, two of which were presented to two of the lodge members. Minute books show that the cost of Lambeg drums in 1884 was :- drums with ropes 1 shilling 8 pence, drumstick 2 shillings and drumheads were 2 shillings 6 pence.

In 1998 the band won the Ulster Championships again in Lisburn. This again was a significant achievement in the year the band was celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The band has paraded for the District at the Tercentenary celebrations in Belfast in 1990, and also at the Bi-Centenary parade in Loughgall.

Ballydonaghy Temperance L.O.L. No 351
Treasure Hunt, 1949

Organised by the Ladies’ Committee in connection with the building fund.

This time from Ballydonaghy
As you go round upon the way,
May you have lots of fun to-day
Upon this long June evening.

You’ll steer straight now to the Fourscore
A feather add unto your store,
To-night if full marks you would score,
A Guinea Fowl’s you’ll gather.

Instructions now are very plain,
You’ll steer right down the Cadger’s Lane
And note the mouth of every drain
That empties on this highway.

Now journey down towards the "line"
If you have got a bit of twine,
Just take a little bit of time
And give the arch’s width.

Then with the brains that you possess,
You will agree that it is best
To turn your cycle toward the west
And reach Joe Colburn’s Corners.

To-night if you are very sane
At this place you will not remain,
Just wend your way down Bailie’s Lane
And drive toward Howard Sloan’s.

In Jimmy Johnstone’s field you’ll see
Two calves quite fat and full of glee,
And if you’ll only favour me
Their ages you will reckon.

Into a forest tall and great
A rabbit once did penetrate,
Now I would ask you for to state
The length it journeyed inwards.

Before you reach Crew Orange Hall
You’ll note some trees both straight and tall,
Attention to them I would call
Just note a number on one.

A right turn take here at the Crew
And if this journey you’ll not rue
Then this is all you’ve got to do
Head straight then for Glenavy.

Some people’s surname starts with "S"
Their number you may count or Guess,
But state the number more or less
That live upon this journey.

Now in this town there is a thing
Revealing those who served the King,
Names of the fallen you will bring
Those names are highly honoured.

The number "7" you’re receiving,
How would you make this number even?
If in a prize you are believing
Subtract or add no number.

Now after all this run to-night
Perhaps you have an appetite,
Then cycle back with all your might
Right past what’s called the "Dam."

New Banner

Mr. James H. Molyneaux, a member of the Central Committee of the Central Committee of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, who presided at the unfurling of a banner for Ballydonaghy LOL 351, Glenavy, said :- "The Orange Order never resents intrusion into its private affairs but accepts this as proof of its powerful influence in the land. When, for a whole week, a leading newspaper devotes valuable front page space to minor local disciplinary actions, and offers abundant ifsuperfluous advice, who can the deny that the Order is a force to be reckoned with? Unruffled by a welter of conjecture, supposition and sensationalism our Institution holds its course of promoting true religion and genuine tolerance which springs from realism and not from woolly wishful thinking."

Mrs. Thomas Millar, wife of the W.M. unfurled the new banner which was dedicated by the Rev. St.G. C.H. Lundy. Also taking part were the Rev. T.P. Blackstock and the Rev. R.N. Brown.

Police search for clues after Orange Hall blast

Police and army personnel searching for clues to the series of mystery attacks on Orange Halls in the Dundrod area at the weekend are convinced that the same gang is responsible.

The gang struck first at Mount Orange Hall, Ballydonaghy just over an hour after the Saturday night dance had closed down.

An explosion wrecked the building causing severe damage to the roof and walls. Up to five pounds of gelignite is assumed to have been planted in the building before hand.

But the raiders did not stop there. Three men were disturbed by Mr. Hugh James McCartney at Dundrod Orange Hall at 2a.m. on Sunday.

Diesel Oil

Experts called to the scene found a five gallon tin of diesel oil connected to a fuse and detonator lying beside the hall. Two windows were broken.

When chased by Mr. McCartney the raiders made off in a car towards the Hannahstown direction.

At Fourscore Orange Hall, Dundrod a similar contraption was found. But it did not ignite either.

Widower Hugh scared off night raiders.

Prompt action by 68 year old widower Hugh McCartney helped save the Orange Hall which he looks after and his home from being burned down.

He got up from his bed at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning last to chase off intruders bent on setting fire to Dundrod Orange Hall.

And as he relaxed at his cottage home adjoining the hall he reflected on the words from army and police chiefs.

Ashes.

Said Hugh, a widower for 24 years: "They told me that if I had not come on the scene the hall and my home would have been in ashes."

Postman

Former local postman Hugh is a well known figure in the area. He has been a caretaker at Dundrod for 32 years. His father was a caretaker at Dundrod Presbyterian Church which is only a matter of yards away.

Preliminary
Notice
BALLYDONAGHY LOL 351
Annual Bazaar
To be held on
Saturday, 10th May, 1975
At 3 p.m.
In above hall