27th March 1914
Suffragists burn Whiteabbey Mansion
In March 1914, the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) set fire to Abbey Lands, Major General Sir Hugh McAlmont's mansion in Whiteabbey. This was part of the WSPU's campaign in Ulster which aimed to obtain assurances from Sir Edward Carson, leader of the Ulster Unionists, that women would have the vote in his planned provisional government for Ulster.
Other properties that were attacked by female activists included Orlands House, once the palace for the bishop of Down and Connor, a tea house at Bellevue, Annadale Hall and the pavilion of the Cavehill Bowling and Tennis Club.
The WSPU, a militant women's suffrage organisation was formed in Manchester by a group of six women including Emmeline Pankhurst.
