Draft:Redbrae Massacre

During the Plantation of Ulster, Tandragee Castle became the property of Sir Oliver St. John, Lord Deputy of Ireland. He rebuilt the original stronghold which had belonged to the O'Hanlon Clan. However, during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, Edmond O'Hanlon and his Rebels attempted to regain their lands and as a result, the castle became ruined due to violence and destruction; it remained so for almost two hundred years until it was rebuilt in about 1837 for The 6th Duke of Manchester.

Ballymore Parish Church also fell victim to the destruction inflicted by the O'Hanlons in Tandragee, being burnt to the ground along with the rest of Tandragee. The Rebels also hanged James Brombley, Richard Wigson, and others in Ballymore within Tandragee.

Rebel Violence in Clare

A short distance from Tandragee in the quiet village of Clare, Patrick oge McRoorey O'Hanlon and his Rebels hanged Tatton and his son William Tatton, William Clay, and John Thomson. Also killed were Thomas Smith, John Grantham, John Parker, John Greear, Mathew German, and John Willimott. The Earl of Bathe's Castle (Clare Castle) was subsequently burnt down - which had been surprised by the O'Hanlons - and many more there were killed.

Redbrae Massacre

The Redbrae Massacre was one of many massacres which took place during the Irish Rebellion of 1641. It occurred on the Drumnamether Road, a short distance from Bell's Crossroads which is located just outside the small County Armagh village of Clare.

The local Protestant Settlers of the area were gathered together on the hill of the Drumnamether Road and murdered by Irish Rebels in the most brutal of ways. This massacre was apart of a series of attacks by Irish Rebels throughout the area in response to Protestants from Scotland and England having settled in the area.

The name 'Redbrae' only came about as a result of the horrifying incident that took place. 'Red' signifying the blood of the Protestant Settlers murdered and 'Brae' being Scottish for steep bank or hill, the very place at which the massacre occurred in 1641.

Taylor and Skinner Map of the Tandragee area in the 18th Century including Redbrae

Redbrae was significant enough to be mentioned in Taylor and Skinner's Book of Irish Road Maps (1777).

It is also mentioned on the thirteenth page of The Traveller's Guide through Ireland printed in Dublin in 1794.

Until recent years, there was a cross-like feature on the roof of a house at Redbrae. Green slates formed the cross, and being on the roof it acted as a reminder, or a memorial of what had taken place on that day.