Tandragee

Tandragee Irish: Tóin re Gaoith
Town
The Square, Tandragee (2009)
Location within Northern Ireland
Population	3,545 (2021 Census)
Irish grid reference	J030462
• Belfast	25 mi (40 km)
District	Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon
County	County Armagh
Country	Northern Ireland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CRAIGAVON
Postcode district	BT62
Dialling code	028
Police	Northern Ireland
Fire	Northern Ireland
Ambulance	Northern Ireland
UK Parliament	Newry & Armagh
NI Assembly	Newry & Armagh

Tandragee (from Irish Tóin re Gaoith, meaning 'backside to the wind') is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is built on a hillside overlooking the Cusher River, in the civil parish of Ballymore and the historic barony of Orior Lower.

Earlier spellings of the name include Tanderagee and Tonregee. It had a population of 3,545 people in the 2021 census.

History

Overlooking the town is Tandragee Castle. Originally the seat of the Chief of the Name of the O'Hanlon Irish clan and Lord of Orior, the castle and surrounding countryside were confiscated and granted to Oliver St John and his heirs during the Tudor conquest of Ireland and the Plantation of Ulster.

According to D. J. O'Donoghue's account of his 1825 Irish tour, Sir Walter Scott was fascinated by the life and career of Redmond O'Hanlon, a local Rapparee leader. Hoping to make him the protagonist of an adventure novel, Scott corresponded with Lady Olivia Sparrow, an Anglo-Irish landowner whose estates included Tandragee. Although Scott asked Lady Olivia to obtain as much information as possible about O'Hanlon, he was forced to give up on the project after finding documentation too scanty.

Tandragee Castle was rebuilt in about 1837, after having previously been destroyed during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, for George Montagu, 6th Duke of Manchester. Its grounds have been home to the Tayto potato-crisp factory since 1956, after being bought by businessman Thomas Hutchinson.

Tandragee Volunteers

In the late 18th century, Britain was engaged in the American Revolutionary War. This situation heightened the risk of invasion by French and Spanish forces, especially in Ireland. In response, private groups of Volunteers were formed throughout Ireland and were equipped and managed independently, predominantly consisting of Protestants, mainly from the Church of Ireland. A number of these Irish Volunteers originated from Ulster, with several companies established in the Tandragee region.

The Tandragee Volunteers, organised by Captain Nicholas Johnston, were fitted with scarlet uniforms faced with white details. Johnston established another company in Tandragee known as the Tandragee Invincibles. In the churchyard, there is a grave dedicated to one of its volunteers, John Whitten, who died in 1785.

Additional companies included the Tandragee Light Dragoons, led by James Craig. Volunteer activities primarily served a ceremonial purpose, featuring reviews and shooting competitions. The Tandragee Volunteers played a notable role at Lisnagade in 1791, when a significant faction conflict occurred. A group known as the Defenders established themselves at Fort Lisnagade with the intent to confront a group of Peep O' Day Boys who were commemorating King William's triumph at the Battle of the Boyne. This inspired the creation of a ballad known as Lisnagade ("Ye Protestants of Ulster").

The Ulster Volunteers established the first and only all-Ireland Parliament, but their influence declined after the American Revolutionary War as new government-sanctioned groups emerged, such as the Yeomanry. Following the Battle of the Diamond, the Yeomanry became a predominantly Orange force. Established in 1796, the Tandragee Yeomanry, along with the County Armagh Yeomanry, played a key role in suppressing the 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion. With the Irish Volunteers disbanded and the United Irishmen defeated, the Acts of Union 1800 dissolved the all-Ireland Parliament.

Home Rule crisis

The Tandragee Volunteers at Tandragee Castle

From the introduction of the First Home Rule Bill, the Protestant community in Tandragee strongly opposed the idea and played a role in the establishment of a proposed 'Orange Army' in 1886. Tandragee also had a strong representation in the Ulster Defence Union. In the central assembly of 600 members appointed on 21 October 1886, the southern region, including Armagh, Cavan, and Monaghan, was represented by eight local representatives: Rev. P.A. Kelly, Rev. W. McEndoo, Rev. R.J. Whan, Maynard Sinton, Thomas White, William O’Brien, John Atkinson, and Rev. George Laverty.

The Unionist Club movement, which initially emerged in 1893 to resist the Second Home Rule Bill, had seen a decline over the years but experienced a resurgence in 1910. Branches were swiftly established in Tandragee, Clare, Scarva, Poyntzpass, and Ballyshiel. In September, under the supervision of William Montagu, 9th Duke of Manchester, members of the Tandragee Club engaged in drills prior to the Ulster Covenant.

After the Ulster Covenant, the Unionist leadership opted to unite the various organisations involved in drilling efforts. By December 1912, the County Armagh Committee included several figures from the business sector, the legal field, and the local aristocracy. The representatives from Tandragee were Rev. R.J. Whan and George Davison. These people played a role in the eventual formation of a local battalion of the Ulster Volunteers.

The emergence of the Third Home Rule Crisis saw Tandragee identified by the Royal Irish Constabulary as early as 1912 as one of only ten locations where military drills were occurring. When the Ulster Volunteer Force was formed, the community welcomed it with enthusiasm. The population of the Tandragee area ultimately became a majority of what would later develop into an eight-company strong Third Battalion of the County Armagh Regiment U.V.F. - also known as the Tandragee Volunteers. Tandragee Castle served as the headquarters for the Tandragee Volunteers, with records indicating that the 9th Duke of Manchester occasionally inspected the troops and permitted the use of his estate.

On 4 August 1914, the UK entered WWI, prompting thousands of Ulster Volunteers to join the British Army. Some were returning officers, while others, including former soldiers, felt compelled to fight against the 'Hun'. A public initiative formed to integrate the Ulster Volunteer Force into Kitchener's new Army, with hundreds enlisting from the Tandragee District, with a number joining the Armagh Volunteer Battalion of the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers.

A remembrance mural commemorating the Third Battalion of the County Armagh Regiment U.V.F. and 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers is located at the junction of Montague Street and Ballymore Road in Tandragee.

World War II

US 6th Cavalry in Tandragee on Armistice Day (1943)

On 25 May 1942, a Supermarine Spitfire BL325 crashed near Cordraine Orange Hall in Tandragee. The aircraft was involved in a coordinated training exercise alongside ground forces. During a low-altitude flight, the pilot clipped a tree, resulting in the plane landing upside down in a field.

Just over a year later, life in the town would experience a significant transformation with the arrival of American GIs from the 6th Cavalry. In 1943, Alexander Montagu, the 10th Duke of Manchester, leased Tandragee Castle to the United States Army for use during World War II.

Tandragee's links to the primary Belfast-Dublin railway, along with its proximity to the River Cusher and Newry Canal, positioned it as a strategic staging area for the United States Army in 1943. Tandragee railway station experienced the arrival of thousands of soldiers during World War II.

The 6th Cavalry unit conducted its final parade in Tandragee on 31 December 1943. Following this, the regiment transitioned to become the 6th Mechanized Cavalry Group, which was comprised of the 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and the 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.

Reports suggest that General George S. Patton was a visitor to Tandragee Castle in 1943. While inspecting troops in Northern Ireland, he was guest of honour at a dance in the castle.

Tandragee War Memorial (2012)

The war memorial in Tandragee stands at nearly 25 feet, overlooking the town at The Square adjacent to the castle gates, commemorating the names of soldiers who served in both World War I and World War II.

The Troubles

In 2000, Tandragee was scene of the Murders of Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine, two teenaged local Protestants who were unaffiliated with any paramilitary organization, by three members of the UVF Mid-Ulster Brigade and as part of an ongoing Loyalist feud between the UVF and LVF.

Orange Order district

Tandragee District Hall (2009)

Tandragee District No.4 is one of 11 Orange Districts within County Armagh, comprising 21 private lodges and nearly 650 members. Every year on The Twelfth (12 July), the lodges within the district participate in the "Ring Ceremony" at the square, which includes a brief religious service. Tandragee is the only district to hold such an event.

Tandragee District No.4 hosts The Twelfth every 11 years, as part of a rotation in which each district lodge in County Armagh takes its turn to organise the event.

The district has its origins in 1796, the year following the establishment of the Orange Order. By 1834, the district was home to 27 lodges with a total of 810 members. In 1900, this number had decreased to 25 lodges with 750 members, while as of the early 21st century, there are 21 lodges with over 700 members. The inaugural Orange parades in Tandragee occurred on 12 July 1796, coinciding with the first Twelfth demonstration held at Lurgan Park. At that time, the district comprised 14 lodges.

Tandragee District Hall was constructed in 1912 and initially established as a Protestant Temperance Hall. The building later functioned as a picture house during the 1940s and for later for dances, until it eventually transitioned to function as Tandragee District Hall. The hall also holds other events throughout the year.

On New Year's Day 2008, the hall was the target of an arson attack, during which the door was forcibly opened, the interior was ignited and the hall sustained significant smoke damage.

Songs

A song written about the town, The Hills of Tandragee, originates from as early as 1970. It shares similarities with The Hills of Glensuili, differing mainly in place names and a few words that alter the political perspective. In the lyrics, the singer expresses to those witnessing his departure from Tandragee his desire for the Orange flag to soon be raised over its hills. He reflects on the birds and landscapes of Tandragee, hoping for peace and that "the time soon come around when I return".

Folk musician, from the nearby Portadown, Robin Morton speaking about the song, "Here's a fairly modern Orange song, and a great favorite among 'the brethren' because they can all join in on the last line of each verse. Dick Bamber, who gave it to me, is generally credited as the writer, but he tells me this is not correct. An old lady who lived beside him in Ballylisk, near Tandragee, 'wrote it years ago.' Just how long ago she wrote it he doesn't remember, but he says she gave it to him and he was the first to sing it in public. Now it's an Orange standard."

Churches

There are Tandragee five churches in Tandragee: Ballymore Parish Church, Tandragee Presbyterian, Tandagee Free Presbyterian, Tandragee Baptist and Tandragee Methodist.

Ballymore Parish Church

Ballymore Parish Church (2013)

Ballymore Parish Church dates to 1343 and is located beside Tandragee Castle on Church Street.

The church has a history spanning over 650 years, connected to the Dukes of Manchester until the mid-1950s. The church was mentioned in 14th-century records but it was burnt down by Edmond O'Hanlon in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. It was reconstructed in 1812 as it had become inadequate for the congregation's needs. During construction, remnants of the old walls were found, showing signs of fire damage from the Irish Rebellion of 1641.

Tandragee Presbyterian

Tandragee Presbyterian Church (2007)

Tandragee Presbyterian Church was established in 1825, built in 1828, and renovated in 1977. It is located on the Markethill Road.

The church hall serves as the venue for the 1st Tandragee Boys' Brigade and Girls' Brigade.

Tandragee Free Presbyterian

Tandragee Free Presbyterian Church (2009)

Tandragee Free Presbyterian Church was formed in 1967 and is located off the Portadown Road in the Willowfield housing estate.

In February 1967, Rev. Ian Paisley was invited by a group of Bible-believing Christians from the Tandragee area to lead a gospel campaign at the Protestant Temperance Hall. Each evening, the hall was filled to capacity. To manage the large turnout during the final two Sunday meetings, Cargans Memorial Orange Hall was utilized as an overflow venue, allowing the congregation to participate in the services via closed circuit television. The enthusiasm for this style of preaching was so significant that, as the mission drew to a close, several members of the congregation approached Rev. Paisley with a request to establish a separate Protestant witness, specifically a Free Presbyterian Church, in Tandragee. On Easter Sunday, 26 March 1967, Rev. Paisley delivered a sermon at the Temperance Hall, leading to the formation of the Tandragee Free Presbyterian Church.

On 18 October 2008, a new church complex spanning 16,000 square feet was opened to serve the growing congregation, located off the Portadown Road in the Willowfield housing estate. This facility features a sanctuary with seating for 450, a church hall that can accommodate 350 people, a prayer room for 130, and a youth fellowship area designed for 70 participants. Additionally, the complex includes a minister's office, a space for parents with infants during services, a committee room, a garage, storage areas, a recording studio and two kitchens.

Tandragee Baptist

Tandragee Baptist Church was formed on 29 February 1864 and is located on the Madden Road.

About 2 and a half years following the establishment of the church, the members resolved to construct a meeting house, contingent upon securing a suitable location. During a church meeting held on 11 October 1866, with thirteen members in attendance, it was decided to accept a site from William Montagu, 7th Duke of Manchester and to "solicit subscriptions towards the building of the chapel by means of letter and personal solicitation". The Duke of Manchester granted a lease for a parcel of land measuring 1 rood and 27 perches, which housed an existing structure. The lease term was set for 91 years at an annual rate of 30 shillings (£1.50). It was agreed that the chapel would measure 60 feet by 30 feet, constructed with stone sourced from the nearby Tullyhue quarry. The roof, made of slate, was to be supported by pine beams and lined internally with pine boards. Initially, the funds raised were sufficient only to construct the walls, leading to a temporary halt in progress. However, work resumed shortly after a generous donation from Mr. E D Atkinson allowing for the completion of the roof. By the close of 1867, the church was opened without any outstanding debts, although certain tasks were still pending completion as late as 1871.

The final service at the old church building took place on the afternoon of Sunday, 22 April 2001. Shortly after, in early May 2001, the structure was demolished. The building had been deemed outdated and structurally unsound. It lacked proper foundations, the pine beams were severely affected by dry rot, and several beams were precariously positioned on the wall above the windows without adequate support. A new church building was opened in 2002.

The church encountered criticism and faced a prosecution file in November 2020 for conducting services that violated COVID-19 restrictions.

Tandragee Methodist

Tandragee Methodist Church (2012)

Tandragee Methodist Church was built in 1835 and is located on Market Street.

Education

Schools in the area include:

• Tandragee Primary School
• Tandragee Junior High School
• Tandragee Nursery
• Button Moon Play Group

Sport

Motorcycling

The Tandragee 100 is a motorcycle race that has been held in the area since 1958. This event, a 100-mile handicap race, has involved a number of notable motorcycle road racers, including: Guy Martin, Joey Dunlop, Ryan Farquhar and Michael Dunlop. The race did not take place during 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19, was cancelled in 2023 due to insurance costs and again in 2024 due to lack of course resurfacing.

Other sports

Tandragee Rovers play in the Mid-Ulster Football League. There is a golf course within the grounds of Tandragee Castle. It is 5,589 metres, par 71, and a hilly parkland course.

Industry and transport

Tandragee Castle and gate lodge

Thomas Sinton opened a mill in town in the 1880s, an expansion of his firm from its original premises at nearby Laurelvale – a model village which he built. Sintons' Mill, at the banks of the Cusher River, remained in production until the 1990s. The mill caught fire in October 2024 with 6 appliances from the NI Fire and Rescue Service in attendance.

The potato-crisp company Tayto has a factory and offices beside Tandragee Castle. It offers guided tours.

St Mark's Church overlooking part of Tandragee

Tanderagee railway station opened on 6 January 1852 and was shut on 4 January 1965.

Northern Ireland Electricity has an interconnector to County Louth in the Republic of Ireland from the outskirts of the town.

Demography

2021 census

Tandragee had a population of 3,545 people in the 2021 census. Of these:

• 76.92% were from a Protestant background and 10.75% were from a Roman Catholic background

2011 census

Tandragee had a population of 3,486 people (1,382 households) in 2011. Of these:

• 23.26% were under 16 years old and 12.62% were aged 65 and above.
• 50.06% of the population were male and 49.94% were female.
• 81.84% were from a Protestant background and 11.70% were from a Roman Catholic background

2001 census

For the 2001 census, Tandragee was classified as an intermediate settlement by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 2,050 and 4,500 people). On census day (29 April 2001), there were 3,050 people living in Tandragee. Of these:

• 24.9% were aged under 16 years and 14.3% were aged 60 and over
• 48.0% of the population were male and 50.0% were female
• 86.9% were from a Protestant background and 10.5% were from a Roman Catholic background
• 2.0% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.

See also

• Tandragee Idol, an Iron Age stone figure