The Dolly's Brae conflict occurred in County Down in Ulster on 12 July 1849. A contested procession by Orangemen resulted in a skirmish between the Orangemen, local Catholics and Ribbonmen and government troops. These troops successfully escorted the Orange procession through the waiting Catholics. However, on the return to Ballyward, the procession was ambushed by the Catholics, namely the Ribbonmen. [1]
An official report on the conflict stated that there were thirty deaths. However, this figure is contested by historians. The violence led directly to the Party Processions Act, curtailing activities perceived to be sectarian in Ireland. Nevertheless, the conflict entered Ulster Protestant folk memory as the Battle of Dolly's Brae.
- ^ "THE AFFRAY AT DOLLY'S BRAE". HL Deb 18 February 1850 vol 108 cc886-968.
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