Having endured 105 days of attacks, hunger, disease and death, the inhabitants of Londonderry celebrated the ending of the longest siege in British military history. The celebrations have been an annual event since 1690 and are kept alive in much the same format to this day. The main elements of the celebrations have changed little in hundreds of years.
The Crimson flag flies and the bells ring from St Columb’s Cathedral, as requested by Colonel Mitchelburne. Although the original cannon on the walls are no longer in working order, a smaller cannon is still fired on the walls and, just as in 1690, a parade around the City celebrates the end of the siege. Perhaps the most important part of the day’s celebrations is a Service of Thanksgiving in held in St Columb’s Cathedral which played such an important role in the lives of the besieged.
Celebrations Today
The traditional celebrations are now held annually on the second Saturday in August. The celebrations begin at midnight with the firing of a cannon on the City Walls.
The day’s events end with the eight Parent Clubs returning to within the City Walls, finishing at the Memorial Hall.
Timetable of Events
Midnight: Cannon
The celebrations begin at midnight on the morning of the second Saturday in August, with the firing of cannon on the Walls. The cannon is fired each year by members of the organising Parent Club with the assistance of a “cannon crew” from the Crimson Players. Thirteen members of the Parent Club then symbolically touch the Gates of the City in the order the first Apprentices closed the Gates against the army of King James.
9.30am: Parading the Walls
The following morning, at 9.30am, the eight Parent Clubs parade in order around the Walls, accompanied by their bands with General Committee and its band at the head of the parade. Entering the Diamond all pause, and a wreath is laid in Remembrance of our Fallen brethren and all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of civil and religious freedom. When the Act of Remembrance is complete all proceed to the Cathedral for the Annual Service of Thanksgiving.
10.30am: Service of Thanksgiving
Central to the day’s Commemorations is the Service of Thanksgiving in St. Columb’s Cathedral, at 10.30am. The service is open to everyone; all Brethren, band members and members of the public are encouraged to attend.
12.00pm: Relief of Derry Pageant
A re-enactment of the Siege by the Crimson Players preludes the Main Parade.
12.30pm: Main Parade
The main parade of the day sees every Club parading around the City. One of the biggest parades in Northern Ireland, it sees approximately 10,000 Apprentice Boys accompanied by over 100 bands take to the streets of our City.
The parade route begins at Craigavon Bridge with Branch Clubs crossing the Bridge and moving up Carlisle Road to the Ferryquay Gate where Parent Clubs join the Parade to lead their Clubs through the Walled City, except the Murray Parent Club that takes the rear guard on the Parade. On leaving the City Centre the parade passes through the Fountain Estate before crossing Craigavon Bridge and returning to the Waterside. In the Waterside the parade moves along Spencer Road and turns up Dungiven Road and around Irish Street estate down Glendermott Road to Bond Street, where the parade concludes at May Street.
5.00pm: Parent Clubs return parade
The finale to the commemorations is the parade by the Parent Clubs and General Committee returning the colours to the Memorial Hall. The parade concludes outside the Memorial Hall, with the band which led General Committee playing “Derry’s Walls” followed by the National Anthem.