The Orange And The Green Riot – 26th December 1879
It was around 9am on Boxing Day 1879 that the owner of the Barretts Borough Hotel (the New Excelsior Backpackers), John Barrett, heard the band music of an approaching parade that was coming south down Manchester Street. As he looked out the hotel windows, he could see ‘The Protestant Alliance Friendly Society’ (known as Orangemen) …
