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The town land of Tullaghans is situated between the two
North Antrim villages of Dunloy and Finvoy. The origins of the band are
closely linked to the local orange lodge - Tullaghans Independent Sons of
Liberty ILOL No 35. This link is still very close today with the band
leading the lodge at the `Twelfth` day celebrations. The band was formed
in the autumn of 1948, on the re-establishment of the lodge, which had lay
dormant since 1912. It is not known if a band was associated with the
earlier orange lodge. However, the new flute band, which took its
membership from families in the surrounding town lands, duly led the
orange lodge at the `Twelfth` day celebrations in 1950.
After its formation in 1948 Tullaghans band remained a `Twelfth` band for
many years. In those formative years, and indeed up until 1984, the band
wore blue and orange sashes along with peak caps. In 1985 the band changed
its peak caps for blue and orange Glengarry hats, which were again worn
with the original blue and orange sashes. In the same year, after the
`Twelfth` day celebrations in Ballycastle, the lodge banner was stolen
from the orange hall, and was later destroyed by republicans in Dunloy. In
order to raise funds for a new banner, the lodge organised a band parade,
which was held in Ballymoney, at which over fifty bands attended. The
lodge decided that any surplus funds should be given to the band, to help
pay for new equipment.
Indeed, some of the younger band members had already decided that the band
needed to undertake some major reconstruction, and decided to move towards
the ‘blood and thunder’ style of music. The band also decided to change
its uniform, and for the first time the blue and orange sashes would not
be worn. In 1987 the band uniform consisted of a blue and orange Balmoral
hat, white shirt and blue tie, and a pair of black trousers. The following
year, it was decided to introduce a blue jacket to the band uniform, with
all members over the age of sixteen paying for their own jacket. At this
stage the band had thirty-two members. In December of 1988, sporting their
new jackets, the band attended the ‘closing of the gates’ celebrations in
Londonderry, leading the local Finvoy Branch of the Apprentice Boys.
Perhaps the proudest moment in the band’s history came in 1990 when on the
30th June the band led Rasharkin District ILOL No 3 at the Tercentenary
celebrations of the Battle of the Boyne. The celebrations were held at the
battle site with the procession actually marching over the King William
Bridge crossing the Boyne.
Like most rural bands, Tullaghans has found it hard to maintain a high
number of members over the years, and in the early 1990’s band membership
began to dwindle. By the mid 1990’s the band was only parading at the
‘Twelfth’ day celebrations. However, 1997 was something of a rebirth for
Tullaghans band, as it was the first full marching season the band had
taken part in for a number of years. A number of attacks on the orange
hall had rekindled interest among existing members and attracted a number
of new faces to the membership. As a result, the band decided to update
its uniform to the button up tunic, but kept its traditional colours of
blue and orange. A band parade was organised the following year, to take
place in Ballymoney, this was somewhat of a milestone for the rejuvenated
band, as it was the first parade they had organised for almost ten years.
The members of Tullaghans Flute Band were very pleased with the support
they received at their parade, at which twenty-nine bands took part.
Another first for Tullaghans was their attendance at the Apprentice Boys
‘Relief of Derry’ celebrations in 1999 at which they led the Dunloy branch
of the Walker Club.
At present Tullaghans Flute Band can boast a membership of twenty-six,
which come from the Ballymoney, Macfin, Bendooragh and Finvoy areas. The
band has purchased a new standard and six new Premier side drums for the
forthcoming marching season and this, together with the influx of some new
young members means that the short-term future of the band looks bright.
In these days of high costs it is no mean achievement to equip a band with
uniforms and instruments, and the members of Tullaghans Sons Of Liberty
Flute Band would like to thank all those who have aided and supported them
over the years. |
