“Dan Winter’s ancestral home – the focal point of the Battle Of The Diamond on 21st September 1795, which led to the formation of the Orange Order in Sloan’s house, Loughgall.”
Dan Winter’s cottage at “the Diamond” (the crossroad of Grange Road and Derryloughan Road) was occupied by (Catholic) Defenders as they marched towards the (Protestant) Peep-O-Day Boys on a nearby hill. 30 out of 300 Defenders would be killed while the Peep-O-Day Boys went unscathed. After the battle, the Protestant combatants met in Loughgall and formed the Orange Society. 10,000 Catholics would subsequently migrate from Armagh.
This is one of two buildings on Derryloughan Road with “Dan Winter’s Cottage” plaques.
“This monument is erected by the County Grand Orange Lodge of Armagh to commemorate the bicentenary of the formation of the Orange Order after the Battle Of The Diamond on 21st September 1795.” The monument is near “the diamond” itself – the cross-roads of Grange Road and Derryloughan Road.
“Na bíodh amhras ar éınne cé bhéas ına mháıstır ar an tír seo nuaır a bhéas Éıre saor. ‘Sıad na daoıne féın a bhéas ı gceannas agus a rıalós [ = rıalú ?] an tír.” is a translation of a line from Padraig Pearse’s The Sovereign People: “Let no man be mistaken as to who will be lord in Ireland when Ireland is free. The people will be lord and master”. “Unveiled by Thomas McGleenan, OC Armagh Command, IRA, 7th April 1974” (close-up at CAIN).
The stone below reads: “In loving memory of all those from the greater Armagh area who gave their lives for the cause of Irish freedom. ‘While Ireland holds those graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.’ [Pearse] Fuaır sıad bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann.”
“Peadar Séamus Mac Eıreagaın, óglach in Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann, fıan Ard Mhacha Na Fıanna Éıreann, ball de Chumann Poblachtach An Phıarsaıgh cathaır Ard Mhacha. Maraíodh ag saıghdıúırí Brıotanacha ar an 7ú Aıbreann 1973 in aoıs a hocht mblıan deag.” “Peter James McGerrigan, volunteer Irish Republican Army, fian Armagh Na Fıanna Éıreann, member Pearse Republican Club Armagh City, shot dead by British troops 7th April 1973 aged 18 years.”
“Pobal Ard Mhacha agus comprádaithe Shéamus Mhic Eireagain agus Antoine Mhic Aoidh a thóg an leacht seo i gcuimhne na ndaoine uilig a thug a mbeatha ar son phoblacht na noibrí.” “This memorial was erected by the people of Armagh and comrades of Jim McGerrigan an Tony Hughes in memory of all who have made the supreme sacrifice in the struggle to achieve a workers republic.”
“Antoıne Seán Mac Aoıdh, ceathrú máıstır ceannas Ard Mhacha Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann, ball de Chumann Poblachtach An Phıarsaıgh cathaır Ard Mhacha. Maraíodh ag saıghdıúırí Brıotanacha ar an 9ú Aıbreann 1973 in aoıs a naoı mblıan déag.” “Anthony John Hughes, quartermaster Armagh command, Irish Republican Army, member Pearse Republican Club, Armagh city, shot dead by British troops 9th April 1973 aged 19 years.”
Jake McGerrigan and Tony Hughes were both shot in the Windmill Hill area of Armagh in a 48-hour period in April 1973. There is an individual plaque to Hughes in the same location (behind Culdee Terrace) and a stone to McGerrigan in Windmill Avenue. Video of Jake McGerrigan’s funeral.
