The origin of the Lambeg is unclear. It is commonly believed to have come to
Ulster with English settlers in the early-mid-17th century. Other accounts state that it came to Ireland with the
Duke of Schomberg's men of the army of
William of Orange during the
Williamite war. Having its roots in 17th-century European military instruments, it was originally smaller. Traditionally it was accompanied by the shrill
fife, a small
transverse flute similar to the
piccolo. Over time, the drum grew in size through
emulousness between players. The drum eventually reached such a size that the fifes were drowned out. Today, the fife and the Lambeg together are the exception, rather than the norm in parades; the combination is most common in
County Antrim. Most of the original Ulster fifers were of
Flemish descent. A number of
French Huguenots had followed William's army into Ireland and the Flemish,
English and
Scottish Protestant groups had united into the
Orange Order. The name comes from the village of
Lambeg, County Antrim, which is situated ten miles southwest of
Belfast and two miles from
Lisburn.Tradition has it that it was in the Lambeg area that the instrument was first played with canes. The drum is sometimes also called "tibbies", "slashers" or "killymans". ==Construction==