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.

The revered, late James "Red Dog" Dorrian (r.) , 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.

From November 16th through the 19th in 2010, Dorrian's celebrated it's 50 -year anniversary. To accomodate all of the possible guests from that long of a history, the celebration had to be divided over four days. It started on Tuesday, November 16th with a Kick-Off Karaoke party, then continued Wenesday the 17th honoring regulars from the 1980s, Thursday the 18th honoring friends from the 1990s, and wrapping up Friday the 19th honoring regulars from the first decade of the 2000s.

With packed houses each night, many friends of the Dorrian family and long-time dear friends were able to ctach up with each in person—many for the first time in decades—and reminisce about the special friendships, relationships, and memories that were made and shared at Dorrian's.

They were all happy to reconnect with each, and happier still to pay tribute to a place that, for many of them, were like a second home to them. Dorrian's to this day a place where people can feel "at home", comfortable, safe, respected, and appreciated, as it has been for five decades.

We are happy, and lucky, to still be able to provide thatsame sense of family and community to s many of our friends and neighbors—old and new—and look forward to offering that level of personal service and honoring that level of loyalty for many, many years to come.

—DRH