Brotherhoods and Friendly Societies th th 11 June 2013 _ 9 May 2014 Francis Clements Crossle, 1847 – 1910 Newry and Mourne Museum Collection A medical doctor in Newry, Francis Crossle was a noted historian and geneaologist, and an expert on the history of Freemasonry in Newry. He served as Master of each of the Newry Masonic Lodges and was founder and first Master of the Francis Crossle Lodge No. 83. He was Deputy Grand Master of the Province of Down from 1901 until 1910. Réamhrá an Mhéara Mayor’s Foreword Mar Mhéara Chomhairle an Iúir agus Mhúrn, As Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council, tá an-áthas orm réamhrá an leabhrán seo a I am pleased to write the foreword for this scríobh, leabhrán a ghabhann leis an taispeántas publication which complements the new temporary sealadach de chuid Iarsmalann an Iúir agus Mhúrn, exhibition “Brotherhoods and Friendly Societies”, now “Bráithreachais agus Cara-Chumainn” on display at Newry and Mourne Museum. Cíorann an taispeántas borradh na mbráithreachas The exhibition looks at the growth of fraternal and agus na gcara-chumann agus leagtar béim ar a friendly societies in this area and highlights their n-éagsulacht. diversity. Fud fad an taispeántais léiríonn an libhré beoga, Throughout the exhibition the vibrant and dáthannach agus na hearraí cuimhneacháin na colourful regalia and memorabilia on display tréithe coitianta éagsúla de na lóistí, chomh maith reflects the many common characteristics of lodges, leis an siombalachas agus na deasghnátha, roinnt symbolism and rituals, some dating back to the acu a théann siar chuig na Meánaoiseanna. Middle Ages. Go minic bhíodh na heagraíochtaí seo i mbun These organisations often cared for members of the cúram bhaill an phobail a bhíodh i gcruachás agus community who had fallen on hard times and so ar an ábhar sin sa lá atá inniu ann, bailíonn cuid many of the modern societies carry out charitable mhór de na heagraíochtaí seo airgead chun críocha works by raising money for many worthy local carthanúla ar son dea-chúiseanna áitiúla. causes. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis na I would like to thank all the contributors who have rannpháirtithe uile a rinne taighde agus a scríobh researched and written articles for the booklet altanna don leabhrán as ucht a gcuidiú agus a and for their help and cooperation in providing gcomhoibriú le haghaidh sholáthar ábhair don material for the exhibition. taispeántas seo. Councillor John McArdle Comhairleoir John McArdle Mayor, Newry and Mourne District Council An Méara, Comhairle an Iúir agus Mhúrn Mothers’ Union, St. Patrick’s Parish Church, Newry, c.1960 Newry and Mourne Museum Collection Shown at the table from left are Mrs Jones, Mrs Labrom, Mrs Major, Mrs Weir, Mrs Grills, Mrs Furness, Mrs Lowans, Miss Swanzy and Miss Swanzy. The Mothers’ Union is a group within the Church of Ireland that undertakes charitable work in support of families. In the Newry and Mourne area a number of Introduction Brotherhoods have flourished, including Brotherhoods and Friendly Societies are Freemasonry, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Loyal multipurpose organisations with origins dating Orange Order, Royal Black Institution and Irish back to medieval times. These societies were National Foresters. These organisations have their formed for a number of reasons including religion, origins in medieval traditions of craftsmanship and politics, recreation and charitable support. Over the chivalry and while often very different, have similar past three centuries the number of these groups characteristics such as hierarchies, processions has increased significantly, particularly in the late and regalia. Victorian period. Members of Newry Round Table at a function c.1973 Newry and Mourne Museum Collection Newry Round Table was established in 1959 and closed in 2005. Membership of this organisation, which raised money for charity, comprised professional and business men under the age of 40. The ethos of charity and community also led to the development of societies formed to provide humanitarian and professional support for charities and members. These include the Rotary Club and the Inner Wheel, Soroptimists, Women’s Institute and the Round Table. Church groups have included the Mothers’ Union, Presbyterian Women’s Association, the Knights of Columbanus and the Archconfraternity of the Holy Family. From the Industrial Revolution onwards, movements for the welfare of factory and mill workers began to emerge. These were formalised as Trade Unions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Using documents and objects, this exhibition gives a brief overview of some of the Brotherhoods and Friendly Societies in the Newry and Mourne area. This material provides a colourful and wide ranging insight into the origins and traditions of these organisations which have made a significant contribution to the community. Menu card, 1938 Newry and Mourne Museum Collection The Order of the Knights of Saint Columbanus is an Irish Catholic fraternal organisation for lay men dedicated to the service of Christ in daily life. This card is from one of the social events held by the Order to celebrate religious festivals. Golden Jubilee of Annalong Women’s Institute, 1987 Courtesy of Jean Gordon Pictured at a Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Annalong Women’s Institute. Front row (left to right): Helen Livingston, Chairperson of the Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland, Jean Gordon, President of Annalong Women’s Institute, the Duchess of Abercorn, past President of the Federation and Lady Anthony Hamilton, current President of the Federation. In our division we have a management team, A lifelong member of the Ancient which is made up of senior officers including the Order of Hibernians, Division President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and 284 Newry management team members. We meet each month and discuss various items including management Councillor Charlie Casey of our licensed premises and correspondence from other divisions. We also facilitate visits by I have been a Hibernian club member since I was Hibernian branches from across Ireland, North 18 or 19 and I have been a divisional member America and Scotland. since the late 1980s. The difference between a club member and a divisional member is that a Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Newry Division divisional member is involved in making decisions 284, c.1964/65 on the day to day running of the club and the Newry and Mourne Museum Collection division. The club members are people who avail of Pictured at a function in Newry Town Hall are front row (left to right): N. McDonald, J. Hogan, P. McAlinden, J. Farrell, T. Hogan, the social amenities of the club such as a game of J. McAleavey, W. McMahon. Back row (left to right): J. Hanna, pool, darts or a social drink. S. Magill, H. Marley, P. McAleavey, G. Taylor, D. Hogan, J. Devlin, F. Small. I am currently President of Division 284 and this is my fourth year of office. I see myself as fronting an organisation that is well established in Newry. We are a faith and family based organisation, although the connection between ourselves and the Catholic Church has lessened in recent years. The Hibernians contribute to the whole community and in 2011 we raised in the region of £10,500 for good causes such as cancer charities. Membership of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Members of the St. Joseph’s Ancient Order of Hibernians Pipe Band, Division 473, Glassdrummond, 1951 has fallen away in recent years; I remember there Courtesy of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 473, were divisions in Glen, Bessbrook and Killeavy but Glassdrummond they no longer meet. Currently in our division we Front row, third from right (seated) is Joseph Higgins who is still an active member of the current band. The Higgins and Davey families have 60 or 70 divisional members and 100 – 120 have been closely associated with the Hibernians in Glasdrummond for club members. We have a close relationship with many years. Glassdrummond AOH Division 473, near Kilkeel which is a very active group. Many years ago when clubs were thriving more than pubs, we had bars on each of the three floors in the Hibernian Hall in Newry. There was a bar, snooker table and card room on each of the three levels and each floor had a different clientele. During the Troubles, the AOH in Newry did not parade. We resumed our parades in the 1990s and we parade on the 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption and on the 17th March, St. Patrick’s Day. Each year a branch of the AOH hosts the main parade and we also may receive invitations Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 284, Newry on parade in Newry on 15th August 2005 from other divisions to attend a church parade. We © William McAlpine do not currently have a band, so when we parade we often join forces with Glassdrummond Pipe Band. still maintain that system of providing support and Irish National Foresters, assistance to those in need. Ballyholland – Branch Fr. John Rooney No. 407 and Branch St. The office bearers of the Branches of the Irish National Foresters have titles such as Chief Ranger, Ita No. 409 Sub Chief Ranger and Senior and Junior Beadles Joan McAteer and Paddy McKevitt and Woodwards. The Beadles traditionally looked after the ‘door’ of the hall and the Woodwards The history of the Foresters dates back to feudal issued quarterly notices for payment of dues. times when serfs and peasants met in secret. Individual members are known as ‘Brothers’ and Their lives and those of their families were at the ‘Sisters’. mercy of the landlords who, on a whim, could and did evict these people from their homes. As A branch of the Irish National Foresters was a consequence, a self help and benevolent society formed in Ballyholland, near Newry, in 1901.