Welcome to The North Irish Dragoons Society Website

The history of Ireland is strewn with battles, armies, Kings and Kingdoms; a land that many countries fought in and for. The culture of the island, north and south, is rich in folklore and tradition; each century packed with battles, campaigns and important historical characters that changed the course of history in Ireland, Europe and on the odd occasion ultimately the world.

Edward the Bruce, Cromwell, James II, William III, Wolf Tone and Wellington all had Irish chapters in their stories. But how do you interpret these stories and events? And how did they achieve their military victories?

The North Irish Dragoons Society are a group of equestrian enthusiasts drawn from both communities of Northern Ireland who aim to provide, by a living history demonstration, the part played by Irish cavalry in key chapters of our shared history. From earliest recorded history down to the last century man for man cavalry was the most mobile and most devastating force any army had at its disposal – the last major campaign which included cavalry was the Palestine Campaign of General Allenby in 1917/18.

Starting with the raising of the Inniskilling Dragoons in 1689/89 by Governor Gustav Hamilton, and their eventual amalgamation into the regular army for Marlborough’s campaigns in Europe, through the involvement of the 5th Dragoons in the campaign against the United Irishmen 1798 – 1803 and on to their reformation as lancers in the middle of the 19th century the importance of Irish Cavalry is an important aspect of our shared history and a story that will excite all who see and experience the power and nobility of the horse as a military force.

The North Irish Dragoons Society has been formed to draw together interested people irrespective of age, gender or religion to bring before the public the partnership of horse and mounted soldier.

During 2005 using loaned costumes and borrowed equipment the group took part in a number of events.

The Pageant – A re enactment of the landing of King William III– Carrickfergus County Antrim, June

This annual event is organised by the Carrickfergus Historic Re Enactment Group. Using Borrowed Dutch uniforms 8 Dragoons paraded from the Medieval Town centre with Mayor and Burgesses to the historic harbour to await the landing of William. Sheltered underneath the castle ramparts members of the public were able to get close to the horses and riders before they departed escorting “William” through the narrow streets. Thousands attended this historic spectacle and got a flavour of the excitement that gripped the whole island of Ireland when William as joint sovereign of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Protector of the United Provinces (modern Holland) landed to confront his French backed father in law James II.

The Dragoons provided a spectacle for the many onlookers, local and tourists alike in this pretty Co Down town at the invitation of the Schomberg Society. The streets were thronged to see troops and cavalry in period costumes provide a living re enactment of the scenes that would have filled the senses of late 1600’s Ireland. Our costumes were on loan from Carrickfergus Historic Re Enactment Group.

 

 

 

The filming of “Brethern In Arms” – Saintfield, Co Down August

The group were invited by Lynx Productions to lend the necessary authentic volunteer cavalry for their re enactment in the fields outside Saintfield of the 1798 Rebellion. In uniforms and equipment provided by Lynx Productions sourced in England the dragoons provided support to the York Fencibles as rebel Presbyterians rose to proclaim “Liberty or Death” around the hills of Co Down. The filmed re-enactments took several days and used locations in Comber, Saintfield and Downpatrick Gaol. The drama-documentary was premiered in November 2005 before invited guests at the Queens Film Theatre.

The summer of 2005 provided ample proof that there was a demand for a group like ours. All of the onlookers at these events demonstrated a keen interest in the dragoons and the organisers appreciated the added spectacle that a troop of cavalry brought to the re enactments they staged.

The Pageant –the landing of King William III– Carrickfergus County Antrim, June

Returning to Carrickfergus for a second year, a troop of dragoons, with authentic 1690 cavalry uniforms and equipment on hire from Irish Arms, made appearances around the town before joining local foot soldiers and dignitaries to march to the old harbour. There King William alighted from a row boat and was welcomed by a large enthusiastic crowd. A dragoon presented him with a mount and after taking the reigns the royal party headed off into the town centre to follow the actual path William took in 1690 exiting via the old city walls at the “Irish Gate”.

Under the auspicious of the Environment and Heritage Service the Dragoons joined with many other Northern Ireland living history groups from many periods. The dragoons demonstrated to the public how Williamite period cavalry were dressed and armed. Our first public mounted drill was demonstrated underneath the historic walls of the fort to the note of a cavalry trumpet with the beautiful lake as a backdrop.

The end of the demonstration was an exciting display of sword from horseback. The target was a “turks head” (a large cauliflower on a pole) and a direct strike had the crowd in applause after a couple ofnear misses.

In 1636 many Ulster Scots began emigrating to the New World. The first party sailed in the “Eagle Wing” a vessel that departed from near Groomsport in 1636. The Eagle Wing festival marks this event and the strong US / Ulster link. The lowland Scots noble Huge Montgomery was behind the venture and the society provided 2 horses and riders to act as the Earl and his soldier at arms. The sun shone strongly and the horses enjoyed a break in the water to cool down.

 

 

 

The local historic society in Groomsport staged a re enactment of the landing of King Williams chief general in Ireland in 1689 the elderly Duke of Schomberg. The dragoons provided not only a party of horse to greet him but the actor to play Schomberg himself. The first staging of this event was well received by the many spectators who had gathered to watch the colourful cortege.

Saintfield was the venture for a full battle re enactment staged by the York Island Arts and Heritage Society. The battle was the highlight of a week longs activities in the Co Down village. A large crowd gathered in the battle field. Rebels won again as in 1798 overrunning a portion of the government column but not before the Newtownards and Comber cavalry staged a trilling charge with sabers drawn. With his dieing breath the last foot soldier passed the colours to a trooper to avoid the dishonour of having this embodiment of the spirit of the regiment fall into the hands of the enemy. The day ended after 10pm as the last horse trailer pulled out of the battle field – but not before a 4x4 was needed to pull out the van used by the days musical accompaniment – the well named “Broken String Band”.

The last event of the year was a special day staged at Castle Upton, Templepatrick arranged and planned by the Society.

The day was organized to launch the society and to unveil the recently commissioned period uniforms of the very first Inniskilling Dragoons. It also permitted the group with an opportunity to invite its several funders and other living history groups who had offered advice and support to see the dragoons in full period dress.

The day began with a talk on weapons and tactics of the Williamite and Jacobite armies by Boyd Rankin of Irish Arms. The centre piece of the day was an dramatic evocation of the forming of Wynne’s Dragoons. “Gustav Hamilton” passed a commission to “James Wynne” who soon returned with a large troop of mounted cavalry. There followed the presentation of a cavalry flag to the Regiment, a gidon, with image of the Inniskillen Water Fort. The troop then displayed the skill of Irish cavalry in a thrilling equestrian demonstration to a background of wonderful Baroque music. The day ended after refreshments with the formal announcement that Lord Laird of Artigarvan had agreed to become Patron of the society.

 

Planning for next summers events has already begun.

Further training is likely early in the spring.The opportunities for the group to take part in public displays are growing.There is the strong likelihood of a part for the society in the opening of the interpretive centre at the Boyne battle site.And there is a possibility of a first foreign appearance for the society at the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Salamanca.

This society gratefully acknowledges the kind support of

copyright North Irish Dragoons Society 2007