Dan Winter's Cottage

28/06/2026

We were delighted to welcome Bleary Crimson Star LOL 12 on Saturday as they gathered at Dan Winter's Cottage to begin their sponsored walk in support of their lodge and local community.

They chose to start their journey here because this is where their lodge has its origins. Following the Battle of the Diamond on 21st September 1795, Colonel William Blacker was issued Warrant No. 12, giving rise to what is today proudly known as Bleary Crimson Star LOL No. 12.

Colin gave the group a guided tour of the cottage, explaining the significant role it played during the Battle of the Diamond. Visitors learned how Dan Winter and his sons fought to defend their home after it was set on fire, and gained a deeper insight into the life and legacy of Colonel William Blacker, who played a prominent role in the battle.

Following the victory, William Blacker and the other victors gathered in a circle around the spring well in front of Dan Winter’s Cottage, where they pledged to form a society for their mutual protection. This pledge was later formally ratified at Sloan’s House in Loughgall, marking the foundation of what is now known as the Orange Order.

The group also had the opportunity to see the only surviving gun from the Seagoe Militia known to have been used at the Battle of the Diamond, along with a collection of historic books generously donated by the Blacker family, including volumes personally signed by Colonel William Blacker.

After enjoying some refreshments, they set off on the long road to Bleary. It was a pleasure to meet you all, and we hope your walk raised plenty of much needed funds with not too many blisters along the way!

A special thank you also to Carla Lockhart MP and her son Charlie, who stopped by to show their support.

Thank you all for your visit. You are always very welcome at Dan Winter’s Cottage, and we look forward to seeing you again.

24/06/2026

We had a lovely visit from a wonderful group whose friendship stretches across the globe, from Northern Ireland to Texas.

Michael and Debbie from Texas, USA, were delighted to visit a traditional mud-walled, thatched cottage and learn about the history of the Battle of the Diamond, as well as what life was like for those who grew up in the cottage.

They enjoyed watching demonstrations of the weaving loom and spinning wheel and learning about the skills and traditions of the past.

It was a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for your visit, your interest in our heritage, and your kind donations. We hope to welcome you back again in the future.

08/06/2026

We recently welcomed two couples from Texas, USA 🇺🇸 one of whom is a direct descendant of Dan Winter.

Pam & Craig Greenway and Shirley & Jerry Cumb were delighted to trace their family tree and reconnect with their family roots at Dan Winter’s Cottage. They were fascinated to see the original living quarters and bedroom where their ancestors once lived, and to discover how their forefathers earned their living as spirit grocers and weavers.

19/05/2026

19/05/2026

There are certainly worse ways to spend a Friday 💛

Warm sodas fresh from the griddle, coffee by the fire, good company, and a day filled with creativity in one of the most atmospheric places imaginable…

A very special day indeed ✨

07/05/2026

26/04/2026

We really enjoyed our final workshop at the cottage, which featured a fascinating talk on the Ulster textile industry in the 18th and 19th centuries.

This event, facilitated by Roddy Hegarty, focused largely on the area surrounding the cottage, including Armagh, Down, and Antrim—collectively known as the “linen triangle.” It involved a series of talks, visits, and field trips, all of which were both interesting and informative.

Roddy has a wealth of knowledge, and we learned a great deal about our past and how it has shaped the present day. This history was truly brought to life during the field trips, particularly our visit to Belfast.

Roddy also acted as our tour guide on the coach, taking us around the city and speaking in depth about historic buildings and streets connected to our weaving and linen heritage—explaining their uses and how they got their names.

We visited Belfast Castle, a building with strong historical links to the industry, and the Lisburn Linen Museum, where we were given a guided tour and a demonstration of the weaving looms.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and especially to Roddy Hegarty for organising and facilitating this special and memorable event celebrating our linen and weaving heritage.

14/04/2026

07/04/2026

✨ HISTORY WORKSHOP ✨

🧵 Our Common Threads Local History Workshop has been a very successful project, and we’ve all learned so much from our guest speaker, Roddy Hegarty, about the history of weaving and the linen industry.

📅 Our next workshop will take place on Thursday 16th April at 7pm, where we will explore the Ulster textile industry in the 18th and 19th centuries.

🚌 We will round off the programme with a coach trip on Saturday 18th April, visiting key locations connected to the industry.

📞 There are just a few spaces remaining, so if you’d like to join us, please get in touch with Colin using the details below:

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07714 849729