In 1795, after the Battle of the Diamond, the Orange Order was founded in County Armagh as a Protestant fraternal organization dedicated to maintaining the Protestant ascendancy in Ireland. The Order quickly spread across Ulster and became a powerful force in Irish politics, representing the interests of the Protestant community. The Orange Order's founding was a response to the growing threat of Catholic emancipation and republican nationalism.

The founding of the Orange Order is a defining moment in Ulster Protestant culture, and it is celebrated in a rich tradition of Orange poetry and song. The Order's parades and rituals inspired a body of verse that articulated Protestant identity and loyalty to the Crown. Conversely, the Order is a subject of critique in nationalist poetry, which condemns its sectarianism and its role in perpetuating division. The Orange Order's legacy is a major theme in the poetry of Northern Ireland.