| Culzie | Date: Monday, 2012-03-05, 9:38 AM | Message # 1 |
|
Generalissimo
Group: Administrators
Messages: 1750
Load ...
Status: Offline
| A series of tours taking in the different places associated with the Ulster Covenant.
Monday 5 March 2012 08:16
A CENTURY on from one of the most turbulent periods in Irish history, a new Belfast walking tour will tell the story of unionist opposition to Home Rule.
As plans were being made to transfer power from Westminster to Dublin in 1912, northern Protestants vowed to resist the new legislation.
Just under a quarter of a million men recorded their opposition by signing the Ulster Covenant — with 234,000 women signing a similar declaration — fearing Dublin rule would threaten their civil and religious liberties.
Led by a registered blue badge guide, the walking tours promise a fair and impartial journey back in time, visiting the main locations associated with Lord Carson and his fellow resistance leaders.
As tour guide Billy Dickson explains, many of the buildings associated with the Ulster Covenant still exist and feature in the two-hour history lesson.
Tour highlights include the Ulster Hall — where Carson and other unionist leaders gathered — and the City Hall they used for the Covenant signing following a short walk along Bedford Street on September 28.
“We also stop by the Old Town Hall where Capt Wilfred Spender was based,” Mr Dickson said.
“He was an Englishman who threw his lot in with the people of Ulster and was responsible for the administration of the Covenant.
“Capt Spender is involved in the story from beginning to end, eventually serving with the Ulster Division at the Somme.”
Mr Dickson said he hoped the historic importance of the Covenant signing would not be overshadowed by this year’s Titanic commemorations.
“The tour starts at the historic Ulster Hall and after a brief introduction continues to the grounds of the City Hall,” he said.
“Other buildings of interest will include The Ulster Reform Club, First Presbyterian Church, Rosemary Street and Castle Court shopping centre — site of the former Grand Central Hotel.”
The story of the Covenant is mostly about people and the tour guide will refer to some of them including, Edward Carson, Sir James Craig, Northern Ireland’s first prime minister and Thomas Andrews Jr, who was the chief designer of RMS Titanic.
The walking tours start from the Ulster Hall each Saturday at 11am until October 27 (except May 19 and September 29).
Tickets are £6 and available on the day from 10.45am. For other Covenant Tours and alternative days for group tours phone 07974315293 or go to www.ulstercovenant-tour.co.uk
http://www.ulstercovenant-tour.co.uk/
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
|
| |
| |
| RSAUB | Date: Monday, 2012-03-05, 6:46 PM | Message # 2 |
|
Colonel general
Group: Moderators
Messages: 871
Load ...
Status: Offline
| I'll have to get on one of these tours, shall be very interesting.
|
| |
| |
| Culzie | Date: Monday, 2012-03-05, 8:17 PM | Message # 3 |
|
Generalissimo
Group: Administrators
Messages: 1750
Load ...
Status: Offline
| I'm wondering what all it includes as 2 hours seems a bit long. Of course if your'e walking between places thats a different matter. As you say the best way to find out is to go on one.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
|
| |
| |
