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{{Short description|Protestant fraternal society based in Northern Ireland}}
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{{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2024}}
The '''Apprentice Boys Of Derry''' are a ] ] with a worldwide membership, founded in 1814. They are based in the city of ], ]. However, there are Clubs and branches across Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and further afield. The Society aims to commemorate the 1688-1689 ] when ] ] laid siege to the walled city which harboured the local Protestant population. Apprentice Boys parades once regularly led to rioting in the city by Nationalist youths, but recently a more conciliatory approach has taken place and now the parades are virtually trouble free.<ref> Keiron Tourish, BBC Online, ]. Retrieved ]</ref><ref> BBC Online, ]. Retrieved ]</ref>
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
⚫ {{More citations needed|date=March 2008}}
{{Infobox organization
|logo=Apprentice Boys of Derry Association Logo.png
|logo_caption=Logo of the associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry
|image=Apprentice Boys Flag.jpg
|caption=A flag of the Apprentice Boys
|formation=1814
|founding_location=], Ireland
|subsidiaries=The associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry
|headquarters=Derry
|region=] <br /> ] <br /> ] <br /> ] <br /> ] <br /> ]
|website={{Official URL}}
}}
The '''Apprentice Boys of Derry''' is a ] ] founded in 1814 and based in the city of ], ]. In 2021 it had over 10,000 members worldwide, with membership open to Protestant men only.<ref name="abd-about-us">{{cite web |url=http://www.apprenticeboys.co.uk/about/ |title=About the Association |website=Apprentice Boys of Derry |access-date=1 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926153117/https://apprenticeboysofderry.org/about/ |archive-date=26 September 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> There are branches elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia and Canada.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20565591 |title=Lundy's Day: Thousands due to attend Londonderry parade |website=] |date=1 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130422054057/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20565591 |archive-date=22 April 2013 |access-date=20 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The society aims to commemorate the 1689 ] when ] ] laid siege to the walled city, which was at the time a Protestant stronghold. Apprentice Boys parades once regularly led to virulent opposition from the city's Irish nationalist majority, but recently a more conciliatory approach has taken place and now the parades are virtually trouble-free. The 2014 'Shutting of the Gates' parade was described as "the biggest in years" and was violence-free.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/trouble-free-apprentice-boys-parade-biggest-in-many-years-1-6460433 |title=Trouble-free Apprentice Boys parade 'biggest in many years' |date=11 December 2012 |newspaper=] |location=Belfast |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141211141657/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/trouble-free-apprentice-boys-parade-biggest-in-many-years-1-6460433 |archive-date=11 December 2014 |access-date=11 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409234829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/2550659.stm |date=9 April 2008 }} Keiron Tourish, BBC Online, 6 December 2002. Retrieved 28 March 2008</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204132757/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7122276.stm |date=4 December 2007 }} BBC Online, 1 September 2007. Retrieved 28 March 2008</ref>


== Siege of Derry == == Siege of Derry ==
{{main|Siege of Derry}} {{main|Siege of Derry}}
The siege of Derry began in December 1688 when 13 ] boys<ref>The apprentice boys were named as "Henry Campsie, William Crookshanks, Robert Sherrard, Daniel Sherrard, Alexander Irwin, James Steward, Robert Morison, Alexander Cunningham, Samuel Hunt, James Spike, John Coningham, William Cairnes and Samuel Harvy" in the book ''History of the Siege of Londonderry 1689,'' by Cecil D. Milligan, H. R. Carter Publications, Belfast 1951</ref> shut the gates of the city against a regiment of twelve hundred ] soldiers, commanded by the Roman Catholic Alexander Macdonnell, Earl of Antrim, which was immediately withdrawn.<ref name=macaulay>] ''''. Gebhardt & Wilisch, Leipzig 1902</ref> Retaliatory action passed to ] who assembled a large but poorly ordered Jacobite force commanded by Sir Richard Hamilton to march north against the ].<ref name=macaulay2>] '''', p.23</ref> The deposed ], who had travelled from France to Ireland in March, took charge with the aid of two French generals. Arriving at the gates of Derry on 18 April 1689, he was greeted by a cry of "No Surrender!"<ref name=macaulay3>] '''', p.47</ref> The siege was lifted on 28 July 1689 (]) when two armed merchant ships, the ''Mountjoy'' and the ''Phoenix'', sailed up the ] to breach a timber ] which had been stretched across the river, blocking supplies to the city. The ships' approach was covered against the Jacobite besiegers by cannon fire from the frigate HMS '']'', under Captain (and future Admiral) ]. The ''Mountjoy'' rammed and broke the barricading boom at ] fort and the ships moved in, unloading many tons of food to relieve the siege.<ref>Graham, Rev John Maclear & Co, Toronto 1869. p. 124</ref> Three days later, the besieging forces burned their camps and departed.<ref name=macaulay5>] '''', pp. 85–86</ref> It was reported that some 4,000 people (about half the population of the city) had died of starvation or injury. Many had been forced to eat dogs, horses and rats.<ref name=macaulay4>] '''', pp. 81–82</ref>
The siege of Derry finally came to an end when, under the orders of the Dutch Marshall ], three armed merchant ships called the 'Mountjoy', the 'Phoenix' and the 'Jerusalem' sailed up the Foyle. This was protected by the frigate 'HMS Dartmouth' under Captain (and future Admiral) John Leake. The 'Mountjoy', rammed and broke the barricading boom across the Foyle at ] and relieved the siege on 28 July 1689 (]). The boom had been stretched across the ] and had blocked supplies to the city. It was said that some 4000 people (which was apparently about half the population of the city) had died of starvation or injury. Many had been forced to eat dogs, horses and rats. The siege has sunk deep into the ] Protestant psyche and apparently began when 13 apprentice boys* shut the gates of the city against the oncoming army. King James demanded their surrender which resulted in the famous retort of "]".

* ''"History of the Siege of Londonderry 1689" Cecil Milligan 1951'' lists the 13 as: Henry Campsie, William Crookshanks, Robert Sherrard, Daniel Sherrard, Alexander Irwin, James Steward, Roberet Morison, Alexander Cunningham, Samuel Hunt, James Spike, John Coningham, William Cairnes and Samuel Harvy.


== Celebrations == == Celebrations ==
].]] ] flying an Apprentice Boys of Derry flag.]]
]
⚫ The Apprentice Boys hold two main annual celebrations. These are the 'closing of the gates' on the first Saturday in December, in memory of the closing of the city's gates by the original apprentice boys; and the ] on the second Saturday in August, in memory of the lifting of the siege. The Relief parade in Derry is the largest of all the ]. In recent years, it has transformed into the week long ] in August and hosts a series of diverse cultural events including ] festivals, ] and ] music and tuition, arts exhibitions and events staged by other local minority communities such as the ] and ] communities. During the December celebrations it is traditional to burn or hang an ] of ]. Before the Troubles the effigy was often hung from, and then burnt in front of, the pillar commemorating ]. This was on the city's walls overlooking the Catholic ] area, and was blown up by the ] in 1973.
]]]
⚫ The Apprentice Boys hold two main annual celebrations. These are the 'closing of the gates' on the first Saturday in December, in memory of the action of the original apprentice boys; and the ] on the second Saturday in August, in memory of the lifting of the siege. The Relief Parade in Derry is the largest of all the ]. In some areas of the city bonfires similar to those held on 11 July are erected and burned. In recent years, it has transformed into the week-long ] in August and is accompanied by a series of diverse cultural events. These include ] festivals, ] and ] music and tuition, arts exhibitions and events staged by other local minority communities such as the ] and ] communities. During the December celebrations it is traditional to burn or hang an ] of ]. Before the Troubles the effigy was often hung from, and then burnt in front of, the pillar commemorating ]. The pillar, on the ] overlooking the ] ] area, was blown up by the ] in 1973.

In an effort to build peace initiatives, they staged an event, the "Derry Maiden Festival", in conjunction with the Sligo Wild Geese in Derry city.<ref name="sligocdb">{{cite web |url=http://www.sligocdb.ie/media/Peace%20Together%20Newsletter.pdf |title=Sligo Peace & Reconciliation Partnership Committee Newsletter - April 2010 - Page 13 - Steps to Peace | website = sligocdb.ie |accessdate=2014-06-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714224608/http://www.sligocdb.ie/media/Peace%20Together%20Newsletter.pdf |archivedate=2014-07-14 }}</ref>


According to the ], the Apprentice Boys held 231 parades in 2007. Of these, 116 were Relief of Derry parades, and 15 were Closing of the Gates parades. The main December parade in Derry was expected to include 1500 marchers and 28 bands, while the main August parade was estimated at 1000 marchers but 127 bands.<ref>All statistics in this paragraph from Parades Commission website.</ref> According to the ], the Apprentice Boys held 231 parades in ] in 2007. Of these, 116 were Relief of Derry parades and 115 were Closing of the Gates parades. The main December parade in ] was expected to include 1500 marchers and 28 bands, while the main August parade was estimated at 10,000 marchers and 127 bands.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016122818/http://www.paradescommission.org/parades/ |date=16 October 2008 }}</ref> In 2009/2010 32 marches took place in ], Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-11962403 |title=Orange Parades to be limited in the city centre |work=BBC News |date=9 December 2010 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=2 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202114839/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-11962403 |url-status=live }}</ref>


== History of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry == == History of the associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry ==
The first celebrations of the relief of Derry took place on Sunday 28th July 1689, when the starving citizens crowded onto the Walls to welcome the relief ships. The first organised celebrations took place on Sunday 8th August 1689 when a thanksgiving service was held in ]. This has set the precedence for the celebrations ever since. The first celebrations of the relief of Derry took place on Sunday 28 July 1689, when the starving citizens crowded the walls to welcome the relief ships. The first organised celebrations took place on Sunday 8 August 1689 when a thanksgiving service was held in ]. Subsequent celebrations have followed that precedent.


On the 1st August 1714, ex-Governor and Siege Hero Colonel Mitchelburne hoisted the Crimson Flag on the Cathedral Steeple and formed the first club known as the Apprentice Boys. The formal arrangements for the August and December commemorations were organised by the ] based in Derry. On 1 August 1714, ex-Governor and siege hero ] hoisted the Crimson Flag on the cathedral steeple and formed the first club known as the Apprentice Boys. The formal arrangements for the August and December commemorations were organised by the ] based in Derry.


In the late eighteenth century ] clergy joined in the prayer services offered on the Walls of Derry, and until the early nineteenth century Catholics joined the celebrations with their Protestant fellow-citizens. However by 1869 the ]'s Londonderry Riot Inquiry of that year found that ''"the character of the demonstrations (by the Apprentice Boys) has certainly undergone a change, and, among the Catholic lower classes at least, they are now regarded with the most hostile feelings"''. The Inquiry recommended that both Apprentice Boys parades be banned. For similar reasons they also recommending the banning of ] Parades. In the late eighteenth century, ] clergy joined in the prayer services offered on the walls of Derry, and in the early nineteenth century Catholics joined the celebrations with their Protestant fellow-citizens.{{cn|date=December 2024}} However, the ]'s Londonderry Riot Inquiry of 1869 found that "the character of the demonstrations (by the Apprentice Boys) has certainly undergone a change, and, among the Catholic lower classes at least, they are now regarded with the most hostile feelings". The inquiry recommended that both Apprentice Boys parades be banned. For similar reasons they also recommended the banning of ] parades.


⚫ The Apprentice Boys role in the celebrations became more important in the early nineteenth century which saw the establishment of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Club in 1814 and the No Surrender Club in 1824. New clubs were formed over the following years, leading to eight parent clubs: Apprentice Boys; Walker; Mitchelburne; No Surrender; Browning; Baker; Campsie; and Murray. In December 1861 the various clubs agreed to associate together under a governing body known as the General Committee. This remains the governing body of the association, each of the eight clubs sending an equal number of representatives, together with delegates of various amalgamated committees around the UK.
⚫ In 1865, the local ] ], ], won control of the Apprentice Boys and rallied the organisation against the campaign to disestablish the ] ], much to the dismay of many ] members.


⚫ In 1865, the local ] ], ], won control of the Apprentice Boys and rallied the organisation against the campaign to ] the ] ], much to the dismay of many ] members (see also ]).
⚫ The Apprentice Boys role in the celebrations became more important in the early nineteenth century which saw the establishment of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Club in 1814 and the No Surrender Club in 1824. New Clubs were formed over the following years. In December 1861 the various Clubs agreed to meet together in a Governing Body known as the General Committee. This remains the Governing Body of the Association to this day, with each of the eight Clubs sending an equal number of representatives along with representatives of various Amalgamated Committees from around the UK.


The celebrations continued in the usual form with the firing of the Siege Cannons, (today a small replica is used), the ringing of the Cathedral bells, the hoisting of the Crimson Flags, the laying of wreaths in memory of those who sacrificed their lives. In December they continue with the burning of an effigy of ] (the Governor of Derry who had wished to negotiate with ] during the siege) and of utmost importance, the service of thanksgiving in Saint Columbs Cathedral. The celebrations continued in the usual form with the firing of the siege cannons (today a small replica is used), the ringing of the cathedral bells, the hoisting of the Crimson Flags and the laying of wreaths in memory of those who sacrificed their lives. In December they continue with the burning of an effigy of ] (the Governor of Derry who had wished to negotiate with ] during the siege) and the service of thanksgiving in St Columb's Cathedral.


In 1969, the Apprentice Boys' parade around the walls of Derry sparked off three days of intensive rioting in the city, known as the ]. The disturbances are widely seen as the start of ]. In 1969, the Apprentice Boys' parade around the walls of Derry sparked three days of intensive rioting in the city, known as the ]. The disturbances are regarded by some as the start of ].


In 1986, the banning of an Apprentice Boys parade in ] led to serious rioting between supporters and the ]. During these disturbances Keith White became the first ] to be killed by a ] in the ]. In 1986, the banning of an Apprentice Boys parade in ] led to rioting between supporters and the ]. During these disturbances Keith White became the first ] to be killed by a ] in the Troubles.<ref>McKittrick, David (ed.) ''Lost Lives: The Stories of the Men, Women and Children Who Died as a Result of the Northern Ireland Troubles'', page 1035 Mainstream Publishing, UK, 1999 {{ISBN|9781840185041}})</ref>


In 1990 the organisation decided to apply for funding from the newly-established ], which led to protests at its August parade. ] addressed a rally at the courthouse where he told the crowd that the proposed grant of £200,000 was "a bribe to get Protestant people involved in the ]." In 1990, the organisation decided to apply for funding from the newly established ], which led to protests by ]s at its August parade. ] addressed a rally at the courthouse where he told the crowd that the proposed grant was "a bribe to get Protestant people involved in the ]."


== Walker's Pillar == == Walker's Pillar ==
Plans for the {{convert|81|ft|m|sing=on}} high Walker Memorial Pillar (a memorial to The ]) were completed in 1826. After the completion of the pillar it played a central role in the celebrations. In 1832 the first occasion of the burning of the effigy of Colonel Lundy occurred, the ] Protestant Governor during the early part of the Siege. The pillar was destroyed by an ] bomb in 1973. The Memorial plinth was restored for the three hundredth anniversary of the siege.The Apprentice Boys placed the statue which was on top of it in a newly constructed Memorial garden beside the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall. Plans for the {{convert|81|ft|m|adj=on}} high ] Memorial Pillar were completed in 1826. After the completion of the pillar it played a central role in the celebrations. In 1832 the first occasion of the burning of the effigy of Colonel Lundy occurred, the ] Protestant Governor during the early part of the siege. The pillar was destroyed by an ] bomb in 1973. The memorial plinth was restored for the three hundredth anniversary of the siege. The Apprentice Boys placed the retrieved statue in a newly constructed memorial garden beside the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall.


== The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall == == Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall ==
]
The Hall was opened in 1877, dedicated to the memory of the thirteen Apprentice Boys who closed the City gates in 1688. In 1937 the Hall was extended along Society Street. The extension is dedicated to the memory of those who died in "]" of 1914-1918. The hall was opened in 1877, dedicated to the memory of the thirteen apprentice boys who closed the city gates in 1688. In 1937 the hall was extended along Society Street. The extension is dedicated to the memory of those who died in the ] of 1914–1918. The hall is an architecturally important building within the walled city.


It now houses the headquarters of the association, debating Chamber of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Association and their office. All new members must be initiated in the Hall. Other organisations such as the Orange Order and ] have separate accommodations in the Hall. It also houses a Social Club and Museum. It now houses the headquarters of the association, with its office and debating chamber. All new members are initiated in the hall. Other organisations such as the Orange Order and ] have separate accommodations in the hall. It also houses a social club and a museum. The hall is usually open to the public during the summer months, July to September. It has received in 2012 funding from the ] to create a new visitors centre.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505064356/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20001020 |date=5 May 2021 }} ], 19 October 2012. Accessed 26 November 2013</ref>


==Membership== ==Membership==
Members can only be initiated within the city walls. The wearing of crimson collarettes by members recalls the crimson flag flown from the cathedral during the siege. Membership of the Association is open to anyone who professes Christ through the reformed Protestant faith. Members can only be initiated within the city walls. The wearing of crimson collarettes by members recalls the crimson flag flown from the cathedral during the siege. Membership is limited to ] men.


==See also== ==See also==
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*] *]
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==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}
⚫ {{Refimprove|date=March 2008}}


== External links == == External links ==
* {{Official website}}
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] {{Derry}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Apprentice Boys of Derry}}
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Latest revision as of 12:22, 12 December 2024

Protestant fraternal society based in Northern Ireland

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Apprentice Boys of Derry
Logo of the associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry
A flag of the Apprentice Boys
Formation1814
Founded atDerry, Ireland
HeadquartersDerry
Region Northern Ireland
Scotland
Republic of Ireland
England
Canada
Australia
SubsidiariesThe associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry
Websiteapprenticeboysofderry.org Edit this at Wikidata

The Apprentice Boys of Derry is a Protestant fraternal society founded in 1814 and based in the city of Derry, Ireland. In 2021 it had over 10,000 members worldwide, with membership open to Protestant men only. There are branches elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia and Canada. The society aims to commemorate the 1689 Siege of Derry when Catholic James II of England and Ireland and VII of Scotland laid siege to the walled city, which was at the time a Protestant stronghold. Apprentice Boys parades once regularly led to virulent opposition from the city's Irish nationalist majority, but recently a more conciliatory approach has taken place and now the parades are virtually trouble-free. The 2014 'Shutting of the Gates' parade was described as "the biggest in years" and was violence-free.

Siege of Derry

Main article: Siege of Derry

The siege of Derry began in December 1688 when 13 apprentice boys shut the gates of the city against a regiment of twelve hundred Jacobite soldiers, commanded by the Roman Catholic Alexander Macdonnell, Earl of Antrim, which was immediately withdrawn. Retaliatory action passed to the Duke of Tyrconnel who assembled a large but poorly ordered Jacobite force commanded by Sir Richard Hamilton to march north against the Ulster Protestants. The deposed King James II, who had travelled from France to Ireland in March, took charge with the aid of two French generals. Arriving at the gates of Derry on 18 April 1689, he was greeted by a cry of "No Surrender!" The siege was lifted on 28 July 1689 (Old Style) when two armed merchant ships, the Mountjoy and the Phoenix, sailed up the River Foyle to breach a timber boom which had been stretched across the river, blocking supplies to the city. The ships' approach was covered against the Jacobite besiegers by cannon fire from the frigate HMS Dartmouth, under Captain (and future Admiral) John Leake. The Mountjoy rammed and broke the barricading boom at Culmore fort and the ships moved in, unloading many tons of food to relieve the siege. Three days later, the besieging forces burned their camps and departed. It was reported that some 4,000 people (about half the population of the city) had died of starvation or injury. Many had been forced to eat dogs, horses and rats.

Celebrations

A house in Claudy flying an Apprentice Boys of Derry flag.
Bonfire in Derry's Fountain estate for the Relief of Derry celebrations
Apprentice Boys parade in Bushmills

The Apprentice Boys hold two main annual celebrations. These are the 'closing of the gates' on the first Saturday in December, in memory of the action of the original apprentice boys; and the Relief of Derry on the second Saturday in August, in memory of the lifting of the siege. The Relief Parade in Derry is the largest of all the parades in Northern Ireland. In some areas of the city bonfires similar to those held on 11 July are erected and burned. In recent years, it has transformed into the week-long Maiden City Festival in August and is accompanied by a series of diverse cultural events. These include bluegrass music festivals, Irish and Ulster Scots music and tuition, arts exhibitions and events staged by other local minority communities such as the Chinese and Polish communities. During the December celebrations it is traditional to burn or hang an effigy of Robert Lundy. Before the Troubles the effigy was often hung from, and then burnt in front of, the pillar commemorating George Walker. The pillar, on the city's walls overlooking the Irish nationalist Bogside area, was blown up by the IRA in 1973.

In an effort to build peace initiatives, they staged an event, the "Derry Maiden Festival", in conjunction with the Sligo Wild Geese in Derry city.

According to the Parades Commission, the Apprentice Boys held 231 parades in Northern Ireland in 2007. Of these, 116 were Relief of Derry parades and 115 were Closing of the Gates parades. The main December parade in Derry was expected to include 1500 marchers and 28 bands, while the main August parade was estimated at 10,000 marchers and 127 bands. In 2009/2010 32 marches took place in Glasgow, Scotland.

History of the associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry

The first celebrations of the relief of Derry took place on Sunday 28 July 1689, when the starving citizens crowded the walls to welcome the relief ships. The first organised celebrations took place on Sunday 8 August 1689 when a thanksgiving service was held in St Columb's Cathedral. Subsequent celebrations have followed that precedent.

On 1 August 1714, ex-Governor and siege hero Colonel Mitchelburne hoisted the Crimson Flag on the cathedral steeple and formed the first club known as the Apprentice Boys. The formal arrangements for the August and December commemorations were organised by the military garrison based in Derry.

In the late eighteenth century, Roman Catholic clergy joined in the prayer services offered on the walls of Derry, and in the early nineteenth century Catholics joined the celebrations with their Protestant fellow-citizens. However, the British government's Londonderry Riot Inquiry of 1869 found that "the character of the demonstrations (by the Apprentice Boys) has certainly undergone a change, and, among the Catholic lower classes at least, they are now regarded with the most hostile feelings". The inquiry recommended that both Apprentice Boys parades be banned. For similar reasons they also recommended the banning of Orange Order parades.

The Apprentice Boys role in the celebrations became more important in the early nineteenth century which saw the establishment of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Club in 1814 and the No Surrender Club in 1824. New clubs were formed over the following years, leading to eight parent clubs: Apprentice Boys; Walker; Mitchelburne; No Surrender; Browning; Baker; Campsie; and Murray. In December 1861 the various clubs agreed to associate together under a governing body known as the General Committee. This remains the governing body of the association, each of the eight clubs sending an equal number of representatives, together with delegates of various amalgamated committees around the UK.

In 1865, the local Conservative MP, Lord Claud John Hamilton, won control of the Apprentice Boys and rallied the organisation against the campaign to disestablish the Anglican Church of Ireland, much to the dismay of many Presbyterian members (see also Irish Church Act 1869).

The celebrations continued in the usual form with the firing of the siege cannons (today a small replica is used), the ringing of the cathedral bells, the hoisting of the Crimson Flags and the laying of wreaths in memory of those who sacrificed their lives. In December they continue with the burning of an effigy of Robert Lundy (the Governor of Derry who had wished to negotiate with King James during the siege) and the service of thanksgiving in St Columb's Cathedral.

In 1969, the Apprentice Boys' parade around the walls of Derry sparked three days of intensive rioting in the city, known as the Battle of the Bogside. The disturbances are regarded by some as the start of the Troubles.

In 1986, the banning of an Apprentice Boys parade in Portadown led to rioting between supporters and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. During these disturbances Keith White became the first Protestant to be killed by a plastic bullet in the Troubles.

In 1990, the organisation decided to apply for funding from the newly established International Fund for Ireland, which led to protests by Ulster loyalists at its August parade. Ian Paisley addressed a rally at the courthouse where he told the crowd that the proposed grant was "a bribe to get Protestant people involved in the Anglo-Irish Agreement."

Walker's Pillar

Plans for the 81-foot (25 m) high Walker Memorial Pillar were completed in 1826. After the completion of the pillar it played a central role in the celebrations. In 1832 the first occasion of the burning of the effigy of Colonel Lundy occurred, the Scottish Protestant Governor during the early part of the siege. The pillar was destroyed by an IRA bomb in 1973. The memorial plinth was restored for the three hundredth anniversary of the siege. The Apprentice Boys placed the retrieved statue in a newly constructed memorial garden beside the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall.

Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall on Society Street

The hall was opened in 1877, dedicated to the memory of the thirteen apprentice boys who closed the city gates in 1688. In 1937 the hall was extended along Society Street. The extension is dedicated to the memory of those who died in the Great War of 1914–1918. The hall is an architecturally important building within the walled city.

It now houses the headquarters of the association, with its office and debating chamber. All new members are initiated in the hall. Other organisations such as the Orange Order and Royal Black Preceptory have separate accommodations in the hall. It also houses a social club and a museum. The hall is usually open to the public during the summer months, July to September. It has received in 2012 funding from the European Union to create a new visitors centre.

Membership

Members can only be initiated within the city walls. The wearing of crimson collarettes by members recalls the crimson flag flown from the cathedral during the siege. Membership is limited to Protestant men.

See also

References

  1. "About the Association". Apprentice Boys of Derry. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  2. "Lundy's Day: Thousands due to attend Londonderry parade". BBC News. 1 December 2012. Archived from the original on 22 April 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  3. "Trouble-free Apprentice Boys parade 'biggest in many years'". The News Letter. Belfast. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  4. Hopes for peaceful march in Derry Archived 9 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine Keiron Tourish, BBC Online, 6 December 2002. Retrieved 28 March 2008
  5. Quiet end to Lundy's Day parade Archived 4 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine BBC Online, 1 September 2007. Retrieved 28 March 2008
  6. The apprentice boys were named as "Henry Campsie, William Crookshanks, Robert Sherrard, Daniel Sherrard, Alexander Irwin, James Steward, Robert Morison, Alexander Cunningham, Samuel Hunt, James Spike, John Coningham, William Cairnes and Samuel Harvy" in the book History of the Siege of Londonderry 1689, by Cecil D. Milligan, H. R. Carter Publications, Belfast 1951
  7. Macaulay, T. B. James the Second's Descent on Ireland and the Siege of Londonderry in 1869. Gebhardt & Wilisch, Leipzig 1902
  8. Macaulay, T. B. James the Second's Descent on Ireland, p.23
  9. Macaulay, T. B. James the Second's Descent on Ireland, p.47
  10. Graham, Rev John A History of the Siege of Londonderry Maclear & Co, Toronto 1869. p. 124
  11. Macaulay, T. B. James the Second's Descent on Ireland, pp. 85–86
  12. Macaulay, T. B. James the Second's Descent on Ireland, pp. 81–82
  13. "Sligo Peace & Reconciliation Partnership Committee Newsletter - April 2010 - Page 13 - Steps to Peace" (PDF). sligocdb.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  14. All statistics in this paragraph from Parades Commission website Archived 16 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  15. "Orange Parades to be limited in the city centre". BBC News. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  16. McKittrick, David (ed.) Lost Lives: The Stories of the Men, Women and Children Who Died as a Result of the Northern Ireland Troubles, page 1035 Mainstream Publishing, UK, 1999 ISBN 9781840185041)
  17. Apprentice Boys of Derry £2mm boost for new visitors centre Archived 5 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine BBC News, 19 October 2012. Accessed 26 November 2013

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