Thomas, Lowell – News Broadcasts Mentioning the Ancient Order of Hibernians

Description

Transcripts from a pair of Lowell Thomas broadcasts originally aired on the CBS Radio Network where he mentioned the Ancient Order of Hibernians during the Summer of 1931. LTP.1931.08.13 – Lowell Thomas News Broadcast (LT Broadcast – 08/13/1931) IRELAND Good Evening, Everybody: Th[at] threat of trouble in Northern Ireland has quieted down [today] but there still are a few disturbing possibilities. The Orangemen did not hold their big rally at Cootehill in the territory of the Irish Free State, near the border of Ulster [after all]. They were prevented by a force of Irish Republicans. [They] [who] marched in to Cootehill and fortified themselves [by] raising barricades along the roads and tearing up the railway. [Yes,] [T]hey kept the Orangemen from gathering in the town. They also held off a force of the [Free State] police [of the Free State Government in Dublin.] but only for a while. Today the Government forces marched into Cootehill. The Republicans took to their heels and fled to the hills. A statement, [has been] issued by the Republican leaders, which is quoted by the Associated Press, declares that the trouble was not a matter of religion at all. The Republicans say PAGE 1 IRELAND – 2 they are strong for religious freedom and they only object to the meeting of the Orangemen for political reasons. The Orangemen, they claim, are representatives of England who want to keep Ireland divided. Meanwhile there is plenty of excitement [on the] [aloud the Ulster] border. A couple of people were beaten [up] in the course of an argument. Everybody is talking–and one of the most interesting topics of conversation is the fact that next Saturday the Ancient Order of Hibernians will hold its annual demonstrations. In the old days these used to be a signal for hostilities between the Orange and the Green. More recently the ceremonies have gone off quietly [because the old feeling [seems to have] died down. This year [however,] it may be different. They say that [after] [as a result of] the Irish Republicans [put the kibosh on the][preventing this] gathering of the Orangemen [on the Water, border] why the Orangemen are liable [to retaliate and] make trouble when the big day of the Ancient Order of PAGE 2 IRELAND – 3 Hibernians comes along. However, the Free State Government seems [to think] [determined] that there [shall not] [shant] be any more of that old warfare between the Orange and the Green. [Maybe they can stop it. At any rate we’ll know in a few days.] — SO LONG UNTIL TOMORROW PAGE 19 END OF BROADCAST – 08/13/1931. LTP.1931.08.17 – Lowell Thomas News Broadcast (LT Broadcast – 08/17/1931) Good Evening, Everybody:- PAGE 6 IRELAND They had a troublesome week-end in the North of Ireland. The old quarrel between the Orange and the Green is blazing out anew. Nothing [very] serious [of course] [apparently] just a few lively scraps here and there. At Portadown, County [of] Armagh, a mob of Orangemen attacked a convent. They tried to batter down [the] door but failed. Then they amused themselves by going on a window-smashing [campaign] [jamboree]. Truckloads of police were rushed to the scene by the Government at Belfast, and they put an end to the trouble. In the town of Drum-Reilly, County Leitrim, a group of men surrounded a building last night. Some farmers were having a [barn] dance [- Irish jugs and everything]. The attacking force began shooting through the walls. The farmers inside threw themselves on the floor and only one of them was hurt. Saturday night was a wild one at various points along the Ulster Free State Border. Orangemen and the Wearers of the Green had battles with bottles PAGE 7 IRELAND – 2 and stones [and shillaykys]. The members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, so the Associated Press relates, held their assembly on Saturday. The Orangemen relieved their feelings by attacking members who attended. This was their response to the action of Irish Republicans a few days ago who gathered in force and prevented the Orangemen from holding a big meeting which they had scheduled. Yes, the orange and the Green are having a bit of trouble once more but the authorities ot both Dublin and Belfast are acting vigorously to keep the peace. …And now, my hearties, here comes the First Mate to spin a yarn of his own — I mean Neal Enslen. And I’d better be on my way to the forecastle [forsle] —- I mean I’d better go home. So avast there! And gangway [mates]! I mean, SO LONG UNTIL TOMORROW. PAGE 19 END OF BROADCAST – 08/17/1931

Description adapted from the holding repository’s finding aid; it may describe the larger collection that contains the AOH/LAOH material.