The Battle of Garvagh

"The Battle of Garvagh" is a traditional Irish song of the nineteenth century.

It refers to the events of 26 July 1813 in Garvagh, a settlement in County Londonderry about ten miles south of Coleraine. A major clash between Catholic Ribbonmen and Protestant Orangemen occurred the day before the July fair was to be held in the town. The Ribbonmen, estimated to number between four and fifteen hundred strong, planned to attack and destroy a tavern frequented by the Orangemen. However the locals had been warned and were waiting for the Ribbonmen, driving them off and killing several of them.[1]

Written from a Loyalist viewpont, the song celebrates the victory of the Protestants and their subsequent acquittal by a jury after being prosecuted by the authorities.

References

  1. ↑ Whelehan p.55-56

Bibliography


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