Editing Tandragee (section)

==History==
Overlooking the town is [[Tandragee Castle]]. It was originally the seat of the [[Chief of the Name|chief]] of the [[Ó hAnluain|O'Hanlon]] [[Irish clan|clan]], who was [[Tigerna|Lord]] of [[Orior]]. Because some of the O'Hanlons took part in the [[Nine Years' War (Ireland)|Nine Years' War]], the castle and surrounding territory were confiscated from the O'Hanlons and granted to [[Oliver St John, 1st Viscount Grandison|Oliver St John]] and his heirs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lewis |first=Samuel |url=https://archive.org/details/b22012333_0002/page/592/mode/2up?q=tanderagee |title=A topographical dictionary of Ireland ... With an appendix describing the electoral boundaries of the several boroughs |date=1840 |publisher=London : S. Lewis |others=Wellcome Library}}</ref>

Tandragee Castle was rebuilt in about 1837, after having previously been destroyed during the [[Irish Rebellion of 1641]], for [[George Montagu, 6th Duke of Manchester]]. Its grounds have been home to the [[Tayto (Northern Ireland)|Tayto]] [[crisps|potato-crisp]] factory since 1956, after being bought by businessman Thomas Hutchinson.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.taytogroup.com/our-business/our-history/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Tayto Group Ltd. |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Irish Rebellion of 1641 ===
On 23 October 1641, the fortified town of Tandragee was attacked and taken by Irish rebels led by Patrick and Edmond O'Hanlon, as a part of the [[Ó hAnluain|O'Hanlon]] clan's efforts to reclaim their territory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O'Hanlon History |url=https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~hanlon/genealogy/history/hanlon-history.htm |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=freepages.rootsweb.com}}</ref><ref name=":11" /> The rebels set fire to the church of Ballymore, as well as [[Oliver St John, 1st Viscount Grandison|Captain Oliver St John]]'s castle (Tandragee Castle), resulting in the destruction of the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tanderagee - Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) |url=https://libraryireland.com/topog/T/Tanderagee-Lower-Orior-Armagh.php |access-date=2024-11-30 |via=libraryireland.com}}</ref> They also reportedly executed [[Plantation of Ulster|Protestant settlers]] living in Tandragee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1641 CLRLE {{!}} Deposition of Elizabeth Rolleston |url=https://1641dep.abdn.ac.uk/items/show/41797.html |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=1641dep.abdn.ac.uk}}</ref>

In April 1642, [[Felim O'Neill of Kinard|Felim O'Neill]], leading the rebellion, commanded that his forces gather at Tandragee to prepare to confront the [[Covenanters|Scots Covenanters]] who had landed in Ulster. About 2,000 soldiers responded to O'Neill's call.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last=Young |first=Robert Magill |url=https://archive.org/details/historicalnotice00youn/page/202/mode/2up?q=tandragee |title=Historical notices of old Belfast and its vicinity; a selection from the mss. collected by William Pinkerton, F.S.A., for his intended history of Belfast, additional documents, letters, and ballads, O'Mellan's narrative of the wars of 1641, biography of Mary Ann M'Cracken, now first printed .. |last2=Pinkerton |first2=William |last3=O'Mellan |first3=Friar |last4=MacAdam |first4=Robert |last5=M'Cleery |first5=Anna |date=1896 |publisher=Belfast, M. Ward & Co., Limited; [etc., etc.] |others=Boston College Libraries}}</ref>

On 12 May 1643, [[Robert Monro|General Robert Monro]] led an army of 4,000 Covenanters to Tandragee, and burned homes in the surrounding region. Felim O'Neill's forces, comprising both cavalry and infantry, engaged Monro's men. During this skirmish, the lieutenant of Colonel Monro's cavalry, along with two captains and several soldiers, lost their lives. Ultimately, the O'Hanlons lost their hold of Tandragee, with the castle left in a state of disrepair as a result of the conflict.<ref name=":11" />

On 9 September 1679 a group of [[Redmond O'Hanlon (outlaw)|Redmond O'Hanlon]]'s followers murdered Henry St John, grandnephew of Sir Oliver St John, when horse-riding near Knockbridge. He was the owner of Tandragee Castle and its demesne at the time.<ref>{{Cite book |last=E. Estyn Evans |url=https://archive.org/details/bwb_KM-732-291/mode/2up?q=Tanderagee |title=Harvest Home: The Last Sheaf |date=1975 |others=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society |url=https://archive.org/details/proceedingsrepor21193536b/page/22/mode/2up?q=Tanderagee |title=Proceedings and Report of the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society. |date=1937 |others=London Natural History Museum Library}}</ref>

=== Tandragee Volunteers ===
In the late 18th century, Britain was engaged in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. This heightened the risk of invasion by French and Spanish forces, especially in Ireland. In response, groups of [[Irish Volunteers (18th century)|Irish Volunteers]] were formed throughout Ireland. They were equipped and managed independently and mostly consisted of Protestants, mainly from the [[Church of Ireland]]. Several companies were set up in the Tandragee area.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Quincey |title=Tandragee Ulster Volunteers |url=http://bygonedays.net/?p=1130 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Bygonedays.net |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The Tandragee Volunteers, organised by Captain Nicholas Johnston in 1779, were fitted with scarlet uniforms faced with white details. Johnston set up another company in Tandragee known as the Tandragee Invincibles. In the churchyard, there is a grave dedicated to one of its volunteers, John Whitten, who died in 1785.<ref name=":3" />

Other companies included the Tandragee Light Dragoons, led by James Craig. Volunteer activities were mostly ceremonial, featuring reviews and shooting competitions. The Tandragee Volunteers played a notable role in a skirmish at [[Lisnagade]] in 1791. A group of Catholic [[Defenders (Ireland)|Defenders]] set up camp at Lisnagade fort, planning to confront a group of Protestant [[Peep o' Day Boys|Peep O' Day Boys]] commemorating King William's triumph at the [[Battle of the Boyne]]. This skirmish inspired the creation of a ballad known as ''Lisnagade'' ("Ye Protestants of Ulster").<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Ye Protestants of Ulster / Lisnagade |url=https://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/eire/lisnagad.htm |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=www.musicanet.org}}</ref>

The Volunteers' influence waned after the American Revolutionary War as new government-sanctioned groups emerged, such as the [[Yeomanry]]. Following the [[Battle of the Diamond]], the Yeomanry became associated with the [[Orange Order]]. Established in 1796, the Tandragee Yeomanry, along with the County Armagh Yeomanry, played a key role in suppressing the [[Irish Rebellion of 1798|1798 United Irishmen Rebellion]]. ''The Newry Telegraph'' estimated that 40,000 met at a demonstration in Tandragee.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bardon |first=Jonathan |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofulster00jona/mode/2up?q=%22met+at+Tandragee%22 |title=A history of Ulster |date=2005 |publisher=Blackstaff Press |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-85640-764-2}}</ref> With the Irish Volunteers disbanded and the [[Society of United Irishmen|United Irishmen]] defeated, the [[Acts of Union 1800]] dissolved the all-Ireland Parliament.<ref name=":3" />

==== Home Rule crisis ====
[[File:The Tandragee Volunteers.jpg|thumb|The Tandragee Volunteers at Tandragee Castle]]
From the introduction of the [[Government of Ireland Bill 1886|First Home Rule Bill]] in 1886, the Protestant community in Tandragee strongly opposed the idea and played a role in the establishment of a proposed 'Orange Army'.  An effigy of [[William Ewart Gladstone|Prime Minister William Gladstone]] was set alight in the town following an anti-Home Rule demonstration.<ref name="Cousins">{{Cite book |last=Cousins |first=Colin |url=https://archive.org/details/armaghgreatwar0000cous/mode/2up |title=Armagh and the Great War |date=2011 |publisher=Dublin : History Press Ireland |via=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-84588-711-7}}</ref>

Tandragee also had a strong representation in the [[Ulster Defence Union]]. In the central assembly of 600 members appointed on 21 October 1886, the southern region, including Armagh, Cavan, and Monaghan, was represented by eight local representatives: Rev. P.A. Kelly, Rev. W. McEndoo, Rev. R.J. Whan, Maynard Sinton, Thomas White, William O’Brien, John Atkinson, and Rev. George Laverty.<ref name=":3" />

In 1910, branches of the [[Unionist Club]] were founded in Tandragee, [[Clare, County Armagh|Clare]], [[Scarva]], [[Poyntzpass]], and Ballyshiel. In September, under the supervision of [[William Montagu, 9th Duke of Manchester]], members of the Tandragee Club engaged in drills prior to the [[Ulster Covenant]].<ref name=":3" />

During the [[Government of Ireland Act 1914|Third Home Rule Crisis]], the [[Ulster Unionist Party]] leadership chose to unite the various [[Ulster loyalism|unionist paramilitary groups]]. By December 1912, the County Armagh Committee included several figures from the business sector, the legal field, and the local [[aristocracy]]. The representatives from Tandragee were Rev. R.J. Whan and George Davison. These people played a role in the eventual formation of a local battalion of the [[Ulster Volunteers]].<ref name=":3" />

Tandragee was identified by the [[Royal Irish Constabulary]] in 1912 as one of ten locations where unionist paramilitary drills were occurring. The population of the Tandragee area became a majority of the Third Battalion of the County Armagh Regiment of the [[Ulster Volunteers|Ulster Volunteer Force]] - also known as the Tandragee Volunteers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=McKenna |first=Micheal |date=2019-07-08 |title=Tandragee history re-discovered |url=https://armaghi.com/news/tandragee-news/tandragee-history-re-discovered/90285 |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Armagh I |language=en}}</ref> Tandragee Castle was the headquarters of the Tandragee Volunteers, with records indicating that the 9th Duke of Manchester occasionally inspected the troops and permitted the use of his estate.<ref name=":3" />

A mural commemorating the Third Battalion of the County Armagh Regiment UVF is located at the junction of Montague Street and Ballymore Road in Tandragee.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Wall mural commemorating 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers |url=https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/265245/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>

=== World War I ===
On 4 August 1914, the UK entered WWI, prompting thousands of Ulster Volunteers to [[British Army during the First World War|join the British Army]]. A public initiative formed to integrate the Ulster Volunteer Force into [[Kitchener's Army|Kitchener's new Army]], with hundreds enlisting from the Tandragee District. A number joined the Armagh Volunteer Battalion of the [[Royal Irish Fusiliers|9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers]]. Between 60 and 70 volunteers, led by the '[[Catch-my-Pal]]' flute band, paraded through Tandragee before departing from [[Tanderagee railway station|Madden Bridge Railway Station]].<ref name="Cousins"/>

Peace Day celebrations took place in Tandragee on 19 July 1919, featuring a costume parade and a sports day in the Duke of Manchester's demesne. In the evening, a parade led by an effigy of the [[Kaiser wilhelm ii|Kaiser]] made its way to the square, where the effigy was set ablaze.<ref name="Cousins"/>

The Tandragee war memorial was unveiled in April 1925, the first in County Armagh. A large crowd gathered for the unveiling ceremony. After the hymn 'O God Our Help in Ages Past' was performed, Major Shellington MP, a former officer of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, unveiled the memorial. The obelisk, crafted from Newry granite, is nearly {{convert|25|ft}} tall and is situated in the square near the castle gates.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Tandragee |url=https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/159684/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Cousins"/>

=== World War II ===
[[File:US Army in Tandragee (1943).jpg|thumb|US 6th Cavalry in Tandragee on Armistice Day (1943)]]
On 25 May 1942, a [[Supermarine Spitfire|Supermarine Spitfire BL325]] crashed near Cordraine Orange Hall in Tandragee. The aircraft was involved in a coordinated training exercise alongside ground forces. During a low-altitude flight, the pilot clipped a tree, resulting in the plane landing upside down in a field.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spitfire BL325 crash near Tandragee, Co. Armagh |url=https://archives.wartimeni.com/article/spitfire-bl325-crash-near-tandragee-co-armagh/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=WartimeNI |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Just over a year later, life in the town would experience a significant transformation with the arrival of American GIs from the [[6th Cavalry Regiment|6th Cavalry]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of WW2 U.S. Army units in Northern Ireland ( listed by location ) part 1of4 |url=https://www.belfastforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=60278.0 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=www.belfastforum.co.uk}}</ref> In 1943, [[Alexander Montagu, 10th Duke of Manchester|Alexander Montagu, the 10th Duke of Manchester]], leased Tandragee Castle to the [[United States Army]] for use during World War II.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Tandragee Castle, Tandragee, Co. Armagh |url=https://archives.wartimeni.com/location/co-armagh/tandragee/tandragee-castle/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=WartimeNI |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Tandragee's links to the primary [[Belfast–Dublin line|Belfast-Dublin railway]], along with its proximity to the River Cusher and [[Newry Canal]], positioned it as a strategic staging area for the United States Army in 1943.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Tandragee, Co. Armagh during the Second World War |url=https://archives.wartimeni.com/location/co-armagh/tandragee/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=WartimeNI |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Tanderagee railway station|Tandragee railway station]] experienced the arrival of thousands of soldiers during World War II.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madden Bridge Railway Station, Tandragee, Co. Armagh |url=https://archives.wartimeni.com/location/co-armagh/tandragee/madden-bridge-railway-station/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=WartimeNI |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The 6th Cavalry unit conducted its final parade in Tandragee on 31 December 1943. Following this, the regiment transitioned to become the 6th Mechanized Cavalry Group, which comprised the 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and the 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.<ref name=":6" /> Reports suggest that [[George S. Patton|General George S. Patton]] was a visitor to Tandragee Castle in 1943. While inspecting troops in Northern Ireland, he was guest of honour at a dance in the castle.<ref name=":5" />

The Tandragee war memorial commemorates the soldiers who served in both World War I and World War II.<ref name=":12" />[[File:War memorial, Tandragee - geograph.org.uk - 3032890.jpg|thumb|Tandragee war memorial (2012)]]

=== The Troubles ===
In February 1973, a confrontation occurred between three gunmen and British soldiers at the Tandragee power station, resulting in one of the gunmen being hit.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/InternationalHeraldTribune1973FranceEnglish/Feb%2009%201973,%20International%20Herald%20Tribune,%20#28016,%20France%20(en)/page/n1/mode/2up?q=Tandragee |title=International Herald Tribune , 1973, France, English |language=English}}</ref>

In 2000, Tandragee was scene of the [[Murders of Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine]], two teenaged local Protestants who were unaffiliated with any paramilitary organization, by three members of the [[UVF Mid-Ulster Brigade]] and as part of an ongoing [[Loyalist feud]] between the [[Ulster Volunteer Force|UVF]] and [[Loyalist Volunteer Force|LVF]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} NORTHERN IRELAND {{!}} Murder victims 'had no terror links' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/649253.stm |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>