In the early days, the Ulster Loyalist and Patriotic Union, organised by Lord Ranfurly and Mr.W.R.Young, carried on an active and sustained campaign in Great Britain, and the Unionist Clubs initiated by Lord Templetown provided a useful organisation in the smaller country towns, which still exists as an effective force.

The Loyal Orange Institution, founded at the end of the eighteenth century to commemorate, and to keep alive the principles of, the Whig Revolution of 1688, had fallen into not unmerited disrepute prior to 1886.

Few men of education or standing belonged to it, and the lodge meetings and anniversary celebrations had become little better than occasions for conviviality wholly inconsistent with the irreproachable formularies of the Order.

But its system of local Lodges, affiliated to a Grand Lodge in each county, supplied the ready-made framework of an effective organisation.

Immediately after the introduction of Gladstone's first Bill in 1886 it received an immense accession of strength.