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The Orange Order In Groomsport

Find out more about the Schomberg Monument at:
https://discovergroomsport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Schomberg-Monument.pdf

Groomsport Orange Hall, 1885 to 1934

The Orange Hall was the smaller white building beside the Maxwell Hall on Main Street. The Orange Hall was opened on 5th September 1885. Valuation records show that the “Orange Society” had occupied a building on that site, at least from 1864

0270 Photograph supplied by Groomsport Parish Archive

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Groomsport Orange Hall, 1934 onwards

This Orange Hall, on the Springwell Road, replaced the one which had been in Main Street. The foundation stones, on either side of the front door were laid on 23rd December 1933 by WS Kingan, of Glenganagh and Bro. John Gamblin.

The hall was opened on 2nd April 1934 by Mrs Kingan and the Viscount Craig, the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland presided at the meeting.
0271 Photograph by Peter Gibson

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This photograph has the following on the reverse.

Junior Orange Lodge, 1960s

0232 Photograph supplied by Roberta Waterson Fraser
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Unfurling of new banner for Schomberg’s True Blues LOL 589. July 1935

The banner was unfurled in 1935 at Glenganagh, the home of W S Kinghan who is on the left of the photograph. Others are Mrs Kinghan, W J Forsythe and Rev Harris, Rector of Groomsport. In the background is Willie Gaw.

The three men commemorated on the banner are William Johnston MP (of Ballykilbeg), Robert Perceval-Maxwell and Samuel Kinghan of Glenganagh.

0054 North Down Museum. Copyright: Ards and North Down Borough Council

Schomberg Monument, 1952. 1 of 3

The monument, which commemorates the landing of the Duke of Schomberg in Groomsport on 13th August 1689, was paid for by the King William III Club of Belfast and Groomsport’s Orange lodge – The Schomberg’s True Blues, LOL 589.

In this photograph, published in the Belfast News Letter on 13th June 1952, the Watch House and the former Coast Guard cottages can be seen in the background.

0272 Newspaper extract supplied by Peter Gibson
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Schomberg Monument, 1952. 2 of 3

This photograph of the platform party at the unveiling of the Schomberg Monument was published in the Belfast News Letter on 16th June 1952.

0273 Newspaper extract supplied by Peter Gibson.

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Schomberg Monument, 1952. 3 of 3

Belfast News Letter 16th June 1952

Newspaper extracts supplied by Peter Gibson.

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Schomberg Monument, 2024

The inscription reads:

“1688-1690. Field Marshall Frederic, Duke of Schomberg K.G. landed at Groomsport 13th August 1689 on his march from Groomsport to Carrickfergus, which he captured and where in the following year he joined forces with King William III Prince of Orange and fell gloriously at the Battle of the Boyne fighting in defence of the Protestant Faith. King William III Club 131.”

0275 Photograph by Peter Gibson