Party Processions Act 1850 facts for kids
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| Long title | An Act to restrain Party Processions in Ireland. |
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| Citation | 13 & 14 Vict. c. 2 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 12 March 1850 |
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Status: Repealed
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The Party Processions Act was a law passed in 1850 in the United Kingdom. It aimed to stop large public gatherings, parades, and meetings in Ireland. The main goal was to prevent groups from causing trouble or anger between different communities. This law was created after a serious conflict in 1849 called the Battle of Dolly's Brae.
The Act made it illegal to march in ways that could "create and perpetuate animosities" (meaning, cause and keep alive bad feelings) between people. Actions like carrying special banners, flags, or symbols were forbidden. Playing music that could cause anger was also against the law. Breaking this law was considered a serious offense.
Some politicians, like Sir Robert Peel, strongly supported the Act. They believed it was necessary to keep the peace. However, others, such as Lord Claude Hamilton, disagreed. They worried it would stop peaceful religious parades too.
The Act was "grudgingly" (reluctantly) accepted by the Orange Order, a Protestant group. But other groups, like the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Young Ireland movement, were very unhappy with it. A leader named William Johnston of Ballykilbeg even went to jail for breaking the Act in the 1860s. This led to many people demanding the law be removed. The Act was finally cancelled in 1872.
Historians have different views on this Act. Some see it as an example of the "English" government trying to control Ireland. Others, like Peel, believed it was simply a way to stop fighting between Catholic and Protestant groups.
Why the Act Was Needed
The Party Processions Act was passed because of a violent event in 1849. On July 12, 1849, members of the Orange Institution marched in County Down, Ireland. They were celebrating the anniversary of the Battle of Boyne. This battle was where William of Orange (a Protestant king) defeated the Catholic King James II of England.
As the Orangemen marched through Magheramayo, a mostly Catholic area, a fight broke out. Shots were exchanged with a group called the Ribbonmen. The Ribbonmen were a Catholic Irish independence group. After this, the Orangemen attacked Catholic homes. About 30 Catholic people were killed. This terrible event became known as Dolly's Brae.
In the years before this, Ireland had been facing many problems. The Great Famine had caused a huge loss of life. Many people felt the British government had not handled the famine well. This made some Irish groups want more independence.
Protestant groups like the Orangemen often held large parades. These parades included banners, music, and flags. They sometimes showed anti-Catholic feelings. The British government worried these events could lead to more violence. So, a new law was proposed on February 8, 1850. It was meant to "restrain party processions in Ireland" and keep the peace.
What the Act Said
The Party Processions Act aimed to stop public gatherings that caused trouble. It stated that groups meeting or marching in Ireland were breaking the law if they:
- Carried any firearms or other weapons.
- Displayed any banner, flag, or symbol that could cause anger between different groups.
- Were joined by anyone playing music that could cause anger between different groups.
If people were part of such a gathering, they would be guilty of a serious offense.
For example, William Johnston of Ballykilbeg was sent to prison in the 1860s for breaking this Act. In 1867, several Orangemen were also charged for celebrating the Battle of Boyne.
However, a large rally in 1864 for Daniel O'Connell (a famous Irish leader) also used banners and songs that were against the Act. This led to discussions in the British Parliament. Lord Hamilton claimed that many large parades had broken the Act without causing any violence. But Sir Robert Peel argued that the law was made to stop conflict between Catholic and Protestant groups. He said it did not stop peaceful marches.
By 1867, many people were demanding that the Act be removed. It was finally repealed (cancelled) in 1872.
See also
- Northern Ireland flags issue
