#OnThisDay 30 Aug 1920, Edward Carson issues an appeal to all loyal citizens to help quell ongoing disturbances and show restraint against provocation. The day began with attacks in York Street by Sinn Fein gunmen on workers heading to the shipyards, which left at least six dead

#OnThisDay 31 August 1937, Captain Frank Percy Crozier dies. A career soldier, sympathy with Ulster saw him command the elite West Belfast Ulster Special Service Force unit of the Ulster Volunteers. Post War he was appointed commander of the Auxillary Division RIC

#OnThisDay 1 Sep 1920, a general IRA raid for Arms is carried out across south Ulster, with the targets almost exclusively Unionists. In Monaghan the IRA attacked what they called 'the enemy population'. Four IRA men were killed by men protecting their property.

#OnThisDay 1 September 1737 (the historically accepted date for over 250 years), the first edition of the Belfast Newsletter is published- the oldest continuously published English language daily newspaper in the world. The oldest extant copy is from October 1738.

#OnThisDay 2 Sep 1920, James Craig makes representations to Gov in London to establish a full time & reserve force of ‘Special Constabulary’, to deal with ongoing disturbances in Ulster. He tells Bonar Law they are, ‘losing faith in the government’s determination to protect them’

#OnThisDay 3 September 1649, Oliver Cromwell arrives at Drogheda, his goal to retake the town from the occupying Royalists and Irish Confederates. Within the next two days a Cromwellian army of 12,000 men and eleven large pieces of ‘artillery’ were in position.

#OnThisDay 4 Sep 1868, Robert Sibbert born in Portglenone. Accomplished journalist, historian, Chair Institute of Journalists, dedicated Orangeman and official historian of the Imperial Grand Orange Council of the World. Author of definitive 2 volume history of the Institution

#OnThisDay 5 Sep 1690, King William III ‘…seeing the campaign nigh an end’, appointed surrogates, and left Ireland to address more immediate matters. James II had long since fled the island in defeat, becoming known by former Irish followers as Séamus an Chaca (James the s***)

#OnThisDay 6 Sep 1813, Issac Butt born. Widely proclaimed father of Home Rule, nevertheless sought to maintain a strong relationship between Ireland and Gt Britain. One-time prominent Orangeman, member of Trinity College Lodge, and Secretary for Grand Orange Lodge of County Meath

#OnThisDay 7 Sep 1695, Penal Laws passed limiting the abilities of Roman Catholics to work freely in civic society. A direct response to the actions of James II to disarm Irish Protestants, dismiss Protestant soldiers, expel Protestant Freemen, and transfer Protestant property

#OnThisDay 8 Sep 1798, the Battle of Ballinamuck. Vastly superior British forces decimate combined French and United Irishmen army. Last major engagement and de-facto end of the 1798 Rebellion. Localised Loyalist groupings and Orange Lodges played a significant role in the Battle

#OnThisDay 9 Sep 1883, Rev. Edward Nangle dies. Founder of Achill Island Mission, evangelising, providing employment education and food, and improving the infrastructure of Achill immeasurably. Devoted Orangeman and founder member of the Achill Island Orange Lodge

#OnThisDay 10 Sep 1649, Cromwell offers terms of surrender to Drogheda Governor Aston; “Sir… to the end that the effusion of blood may be prevented.... If this be refused, you will have no cause to blame me. I expect your answer and remain your servant”. The terms are refused

#OnThisDay 11 Sep 1649, Cromwell takes Drogheda. After the refusal to surrender without bloodshed, in line with contemporary military conventions Cromwell's forces storm and without hesitation take the lives of the occupiers. Evidence for civilian deaths is confined to hearsay

Busy winter of presentations kicked off tonight with a look at Dublin Orangeism in Clifton St Orange Hall Belfast. Almost 40 in attendance, very respectable given the eclectic subject matter. Many lessons from the Dublin Orange story still very relevant in modern Northern Ireland

#OnThisDay 12 September 1798, an Irish Republic and a regional government of Connaught come to an end. It had been unilaterally declared by French General Humbert. The puppet state lasted a grand total of 12 days.

#OnThisDay 13 September 1790, Rev Samuel O’Sullivan is born in Tipperary. Catholic convert to Church of Ireland while young (like brother Rev Mortimer O’Sullivan), accomplished scholar and chaplain to the Military School in Phoenix Park, and like his brother, an avowed Orangeman.

#OnThisDay 14 Sep 1914, 471 men from the Young Citizen Volunteers enlist into Kitchener’s Army. By the close of play the next day 804 had enlisted, making over 80% of the force now in the ranks. To this date the Belfast Division Ulster Volunteers had so far supplied 4,961 men.

#OnThisDay 15 Sep 1851, Sir William Whitla born in Monaghan. Hugely regarded Physician, Professor and medical author. Strong evangelical faith and a devoted Unionist, signed the Ulster Covenant and became MP for QUB. Benefactor to numerous causes, name honoured on ‘Whitla Hall’

#OnThisDay 16 Sep 1798, United Irishman James Napper Tandy arrives on the coast of Donegal in vessel provided by the French, with a small force of men and French arms. The 'invasion' ended the same day- he re-boarded and attempted to return to France.