Battle of Saintfield re-enactment and film

The dramatic story of conflicting loyalties which characterised East Ulster during the 1798 Rising will now unfold in a dramatised documentary written and directed by Vivien Hewitt and filmed by Lynx Productions.

 The film, which is Lottery-funded through the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, has been shot on location at Saintfield during the re-enactment, at Mount Stewart, Hillsborough Court House, Comber Parish Church and Dan Winter's ancestral home at The Diamond, Loughgall.

 It follows the story of the Rev Thomas Ledlie Birch as he founds the Society of United Irishmen in Co Down and radicalises his flock from the pulpit.

 Meanwhile, men like his brother George affirm their loyalty to the King by riding with Lord Londonderry's yeomanry or like Colonel Granville Chetwynd-Stapylton by founding an Orange lodge among his Yorkshire soldiers.

 George Birch, pillar of the establishment, will see his teenage son die leading the rebels and his brother tried for treason.

 On August 20, both Government and rebels mustered their forces in the field at York Island, Saintfield site in Co Down, the only rebel victory of the '98 Rebellion in Ulster.

 It was a battle fought between Presbyterian United Irishmen, inspired by the republican principles of their Ulster-Scots cousins in America, and Government troops from the York Fencible Regiment which had founded LOL No 145 in 1796 on a warrant issued by the son of George III. The Yorkshire men were backed up by the local Newtown and Comber Cavalry, raised by Lord Londonderry.

                              In an extraordinary recruiting drive, York Island Arts and Heritage Association brought together a great diversity of forces including members of today's York, Cross of St. Patrick and Hearts of Down Orange lodges, cross-community living history groups, The Minstrel Boys and North Irish Dragoon Society, enthusiastic Saintfield volunteers and a strong team of Ulster actors drawn from throughout the Province.

An "Awards for All" grant allowed York Island to put its best foot forward with the high profile human resources, complemented by authentic period costumes and props. The well-staged battle and moving commemoration ceremony were followed by BBC Radio Ulster as well as an enthusiastic public.

The film was edited last month and will be ready for presentation in the late autumn.