Visited the Site of the Battle of the Diamond today where in 1795 an organised confrontation between the Catholic Defenders and the Protestant Peep O Day Boys took place.  The Battle effectively led to the formation of the Orange Order.  While there I came across an old Irish thatched cottage, 'Dan Winters Cottage'.  It was here, apparently, that the first meeting of budding Orangemen took place.  I intend to arrange a viewing of inside the cottage where memorabilia of the Battle is kept.  I also discovered that the timbers inside the cottage still bear the scorch marks from when it was set alight during the Battle.  Should be interesting.

I have found many internet sources citing the origins of sectarian factions in around Co. Armagh which is a good start.  There seems to be documentation of many sites of tensions in the area.  Next stop is the Irish Studies library in Armagh to hopefully uncover more information and primary sources.

I intend to research sectarian and agrarian tensions in my local area of Co. Armagh during the late Eighteenth century and into the Nineteenth century which led to division and conflict among localcommunities which continued in spates right up until the 1990's.