Storey praise for signing of Covenant at Ballymaconnelly

The newly-built Orange Hall also played host to a display of military items as well as literature and videos relating to the Covenant.

Two prominent historians, Robert Thompson, from Bushmills, and Ballymoney man, Peter Thompson, brought along items which attracted much interest to visitors.

Back in 1912, 98 people signed the Covenant at the hall and this time 137 people applied their names.

A spokesperson for the Group said: “We had people from all over Northern Ireland including Belfast, Rathfriland, Moneymore and one lady on holiday from Glasgow came along. We were well pleased with the response.”

MLA Mervyn Storey said: “The signing of the Covenant was one of the most significant events in our history.

“For unionists the Ulster Covenant and its aftermath in the early part of the last century are not merely historic events - they ultimately led to the creation of Northern Ireland itself and to the preservation of our position within the United Kingdom.

“As my party leader and First Minister has said, “We owe our survival, as British citizens, to those, who when the challenge came were not found wanting. Their legacy is our inheritance.

“I was gald to attend Ballymaconnelly event and congratulate them on their hard work in putting on what was a very worthwhile event.”