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HISTORY
The Origin of The Red Hand
According to one famous myth, Ulster had at one time no rightful heir. Because of this it was agreed that a boat race should take place (possibly in Strangford Lough) and that "whosoever's hand is the first to touch the shore of Ulster, so shall he be made the king".
One potential king so loved and desired Ulster that, upon seeing that he was losing the race, he cut off his hand and threw it to the shore — thus winning the kingship. The hand is most likely red to represent the fact that it would have been covered in blood.
The Red Hand is used in the flag of Northern Ireland, the Ulster Flag and on the shields of counties Tyrone, Derry, Antrim and Monaghan. It is also used by many other official and non-official organisations throughout the province of Ulster. Some Loyalist organisations in Northern Ireland prominently display the Red Hand in their insignia and paraphernalia. It is also the badge of baronets other than those of Scotland or Nova Scotia.
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The revered, late James "Red Dog" Dorrian (l.) , an Ulster County native, a succesful saloon operator in the Theater district in the 50s, was one of the very first bar/restaurant owners to run a popular tavern business in Yorkville, known then as "Old German Town"; he opened Dorrian's Red Hand in 1960.
Dorrian's Red Hand Restaurant has been run by three generations of Dorrians ever since and and is visited repeatedly by generations of Dorrian's friends and regular, loyal customers, past and present.
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| Click image above to see Ripley's Believe or Not! article |
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