Down Orange Welfare
Encyclopedia
Down Orange Welfare was an loyalist
paramilitary vigilante group active in Northern Ireland
during the 1970s. Active in rural areas of County Down
, the group faded after failing to win support away from larger paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association
.
The group was established in 1972 by its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Brush
and his deputy Herbert Heslip
, both members of the Ulster Unionist Party
. Claiming to be linked to the Orange Order, the group was said to have 5,000 trained activists, many of whom had been members of the Ulster Special Constabulary
. The group, which was highly conservative
and élitist in nature, was strongest amongst the farming community of North Down
.
The stated aim of Down Orange Welfare was to oppose both the growth of both Irish republicanism
and socialism
. As such it has been portrayed as a "doomsday outfit" preparing itself to oppose any anticipated rebellion. It formed part of the umbrella Ulster Army Council
that was established in 1973. It also established contact with the National Front, a group that was also close to the Ulster Volunteer Force
at the time.
It was active in the Ulster Workers' Council strike
of 1974 and members of the group blocked roads during the ensuing protests. They were also involved in the less successful United Unionist Action Council (UUAC) strike of 1977. The group declined after this second strike and disappeared soon afterwards. Brush would disappear from public view along with the movement.
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
paramilitary vigilante group active in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
during the 1970s. Active in rural areas of County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, the group faded after failing to win support away from larger paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association
Ulster Defence Association
The Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
.
The group was established in 1972 by its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Brush
Peter Brush
Edward James Augustus Howard Brush known as Peter was a Northern Irish unionist politician and paramilitary leader...
and his deputy Herbert Heslip
Herbert Heslip
Herbert Heslip was a Northern Irish politician with the Ulster Unionist Party .Heslip was a well-known figure in County Down Unionism, serving as a member of Down District Council from 1968–1973 and then of Banbridge District Council until 1985...
, both members of the Ulster Unionist Party
Ulster Unionist Party
The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
. Claiming to be linked to the Orange Order, the group was said to have 5,000 trained activists, many of whom had been members of the Ulster Special Constabulary
Ulster Special Constabulary
The Ulster Special Constabulary was a reserve police force in Northern Ireland. It was set up in October 1920, shortly before the founding of Northern Ireland. It was an armed corps, organised partially on military lines and called out in times of emergency, such as war or insurgency...
. The group, which was highly conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
and élitist in nature, was strongest amongst the farming community of North Down
North Down
North Down can refer to:*North Down Borough Council in Northern Ireland.*North Down in Northern Ireland.*North Down in Northern Ireland....
.
The stated aim of Down Orange Welfare was to oppose both the growth of both Irish republicanism
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
and socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
. As such it has been portrayed as a "doomsday outfit" preparing itself to oppose any anticipated rebellion. It formed part of the umbrella Ulster Army Council
Ulster Army Council
The Ulster Army Council was set up in 1973 as an umbrella group by the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force to co-ordinate joint paramilitary operations during the Loyalist strike...
that was established in 1973. It also established contact with the National Front, a group that was also close to the Ulster Volunteer Force
Ulster Volunteer Force
The Ulster Volunteer Force is a loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in late 1965 or early 1966 and named after the Ulster Volunteer Force of 1913. The group's volunteers undertook an armed campaign of almost thirty years during The Troubles...
at the time.
It was active in the Ulster Workers' Council strike
Ulster Workers' Council Strike
The Ulster Workers' Council strike was a general strike that took place in Northern Ireland between 15 May and 28 May 1974, during "The Troubles". The strike was called by loyalists and unionists who were against the Sunningdale Agreement, which had been signed in December 1973...
of 1974 and members of the group blocked roads during the ensuing protests. They were also involved in the less successful United Unionist Action Council (UUAC) strike of 1977. The group declined after this second strike and disappeared soon afterwards. Brush would disappear from public view along with the movement.