On route to the Maiden City to celebrate the Relief. We paused to remember three of our members murdered by terrorists. Brother Michael Marshall, Brother Davy Sterritt and Brother Bobby Crozier. Lest we Forget. Never Forget.

#DerryDay A toast. "The thirteen apprentice boys of Derry who, in the face of an implacable and relentless foe, seized and disarmed the city guard, closed the gates, manned it's maiden walls, and from bastion and turret shouted the ever memorable cry of No Surrender!'

#OnThisDay 9 August 1922, in the midst of nearby intra-Republican confrontations, the Parish burial ground of the small Kilmacthomas Church of Ireland, County Waterford, was desecrated by the digging up of tombstones which were then thrown around the graveyard

#OnThisDay 8 Aug 1928, Desmond Boal, Barrister and Loyalist, born in Londonderry. As a student in Dublin re-established the TCD Orange Lodge. As a lawyer was celebrated for his ability to address the Court at length without notes. Unionist MP for the Shankill.

#OnThisDay 7 August 1914, massive public gathering held in Belfast City Hall to decide the best ways Ulster could assist in the war against Germany. Over 2000 representatives attended from across the civic, professional, industrial and commercial life of Ulster.

#OnThisDay 6 August 1920, the Dail triggers the 'Belfast Boycott', a ban on businesses, banks and traders perceived as Orange or Unionist. Initially focused on Belfast, it soon spread much further. The IRA hijacked and stole or destroyed products coming from the North-East

#OnThisDay 5 August 1929, the death of the last Unionist MP elected before partition outside Ulster and TCD (MP for Rathmines 1918-1922). Sir Maurice Dockrell- Dublin born and bred businessman, banker and Unionist.

#OnThisDay 4 August 1914, the Declaration of War with Germany. Edward Carson requests all Volunteers of the Ulster Volunteer Force liable to be called by His Majesty for service, answer the call immediately; ‘Our first duty as loyal subjects to the King’

#OnThisDay 3 August 1914, Mourne UVF are presented with Colours in Mourne Park near Kilkeel. In a short address Lady Kilmorey told the Volunteers, 'Let the knowledge that you are part of the greatest empire in the world give weight to your right arms and firmness to your hearts’

#OnThisDay 2 Aug 1849, Queen Victoria arrives in Ireland at Cobh, renamed Queenstown in her honour, her first visit to the island. Massive crowds greeted the Queen during the 10 days that followed, and the trip was regarded as a great success.

#OnThisDay 1 August 1714, the first club of ‘Apprentice Boys’ to commemorate the Relief of the Maiden City, is formed by former City Governor Colonel John Mitchelburne. The Club was inaugurated following the presentation of two captured Jacobite colours to the Cathedral that day

Can't attend due to a prior scheduled presentation, but this is poised to be a very valuable evening. A new generation of intelligent, confident and fearless Ulster Loyalism has emerged that simply is not going to accept being brow-beaten by stereotyping and marginalisation.

#OnThisDay 31 July 1689 (OS), The Battle of Newtownbutler. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Williamite forces, the Inniskilliniers, rout the Jacobite's. It paved the way for Schomberg's arrival in Ireland unopposed.

Presentation tomorrow evening in Cookstown looking at one of the most pivotal events in Irish, European and even world history! An episode that shaped the development of the Irish and then Ulster Loyalist identity and psyche. Cookstown, 31st July 2025, 8pm

#OnThisDay 30 July 1922, Leap Castle, Co. Offaly, is burned- despite its owner Jonathan Darby being regarded as a benign and generous landlord. Part of the Castles stable buildings were an Orange Hall, home of the 'Leap Independents' Loyal Orange Lodge 1811

#OnThisDay 29 July 1833, 500 Cork Orangemen open the 'Cumberland Rooms' in Falkner Lane (now Opera Lane). Dedicated premised for the Cities 7 Orange Lodges. Quoted as being ‘brilliant, decorous, and striking’. Such was the demand to see, left open to the public for several days

#OnThisDay 28 July 1913, the Ulster Signalling and Despatch Riding Corps unit of the Ulster Volunteers engages in an elaborate operation and propaganda exercise at the Boyne. A 120mile round trip under cover of darkness ‘blew up’ and ‘captured’ the Boyne Bridge and nearby fords

#OnThisDay 27 July 1920, recruitment begins for the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary (ADRIC). Recruited mostly from soldiers who had fought in WW1, for almost two years the 2,300 men of the ‘Auxies’ fulfilled a counter-insurgency role against the IRA.

#OnThisDay 26 July 1813, the Battle of Garvagh. Hundreds of Ribbonmen converge on The Kings Arms where an Orange Lodge met. Their goal was to avenge a previous defeat. Orangemen had been forewarned and repelled the raiders. The engagement birthed a famous Ulster folk song.