Saintfield Mitchelburne Club Apprentice Boys of Derry

The History of Our Branch Club

The Saintfield Branch of the Mitchelburne Club was formed in September 1936.  The fifteen foundation members were as follows - Thomas Cunningham, Ian Hay, Samuel Smyth, Thomas D Rice, Samuel Murphy, William J Smyth, Thomas Shaw, Andrew Hewitt, Thomas Hamilton, William Baillie, William Riddill, James Shaw, Thomas Leckey, James Scott and James Cunningham.  The Charter was installed by the Mitchelburne Parent Club in Saintfield Orange Hall, Brother Thomas Cunningham was elected and installed as the first President of the Saintfield Club. Brother Aicken McClelland, a member of the Saintfield Club, is a direct descendant of two of the 'Defenders of Derry', these being James Fisher of Glendermott ( who was outlawed by James II at a meeting of Parliament in Dublin on 12th May 1689) and Daniel Fisher of Londonderry (who was within the walls of the City throughout the Siege, he was also selected as one of the signatories on the Address of Thanks to King William III and Queen Mary II on 29th July 1689). The first time the Saintfield Branch paraded in the Maiden City (Londonderry) was on 12th August 1937 (Relief of Derry).  The information used to compile this history was supplied by Bro. Jack Anderson, who was aged 13 at the time of the Club's formation, although old enough to join at that time he waited a few years before becoming a member.  Jack's father is in the photograph of the Club's first parade in Derry.

Photograph of our Charter (click here for fullsize and more photos)

First Parade in the Maiden City 1937 (Click here to see more photos)

The last surviving foundation member of the Club, Bro. Jim Scott, passed away on Good Friday 2002 and was interred on Easter Sunday - two very significant dates in the Christian calendar. In the early years of the Club's history there were over 100 enrolled members, some members living as far away as Downpatrick, some fifteen miles from Saintfield.  In the prevailing years Saintfield Branch has been the source of new Branch Clubs opening in Bellshill, Barnarmagherry and Killyleagh. This reduced the membership to 50 members. Today we have a steady membership of 26 members - but there is always room for more!  We are a good natured bunch.  We visit the Maiden City twice yearly to remember "The Shutting of the Gates" in December and the "Relief of Derry" in August.  Our Club organises a number of functions throughout the year which include an Ulster-Scots Night, Community Dances and Table Quizzes.  We regularly visit other Branch Clubs promoting true brotherly love and loyalty. We are always ready and willing to welcome "forward looking people" into our Club who are interested in getting involved - if this sounds like something you would like to be a part of then click on the "Join Us" link to take the first step towards membership - if you do not reside near our Club we will be glad to put you in contact with a Branch Club near you.

Home History Join Us Gallery Drumcree Events Links Guestbook Contact Us