Often referred to as “Lundy’s Day” the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry commemorate the stand taken by “the Brave Thirteen”; the 13 Apprentices who shut the gates against the army of King James.
Following the arrival of King William III in England, there had been widespread alarm among Protestants in Ireland that they would be subjected to a widespread massacre. While the citizens of Londonderry were agitated by these reports, news came that a regiment of Roman Catholics were on their way to to the city.
When the army arrived on the 7th December (old calendar), the city’s leaders were still debating what to do. Thirteen young apprentices took the initiative and shut the gates in the faces of the approaching army. Their actions were the spark which led to the 1689 Siege of Londonderry,
Today the actions of the Brave Thirteen are remembered with the annual Shutting of the Gates Commemorations on the first Saturday in December each year.
The Commemorations open with the symbolic firing of a cannon on the city’s historic walls at midnight and Thirteen members touching each of the gates closed against the army of King James.
The main Commemorations begin on Saturday with visiting Branch Clubs and bands parading from the Waterside to the Apprentice Boys Memorial Halland end with the traditional burning of Lundy the Traitor before Branch Clubs return to the Waterside.
The Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates is a smaller event than the Relief Celebrations, with most of the day’s activities taking place within the historic City Walls.
Timetable of Events
Midnight: Cannon and Touching the Gates.
The Celebrations will open with the symbolic firing of a cannon on the Walls. One and three times, signifying thirteen: the Brave Thirteen. Thirteen members of a Parent Club will then make their way to each of the four original City gates, as the thirteen apprentices did in 1688;the traditional “Touching of the Gates”.
10am: General Committee Opens
As with the Relief Celebrations in August, the day’s proceedings cannot begin untill General Committee officially open their meeting.
11.30am: Visiting Clubs Leave Waterside
Visiting Branch Clubs parade to the Memorial Hall from the Railway Station on the Waterside, recalling days when many would have arrived by rail.
1.15pm: Parade to the Cathedral
The main parade will leave Society Street headed by officers of General Committee. The parade will go via Bishop Street, The Diamond (clockwise) down through Ferryquay Gate onto Carlisle Road, up through the Fountain, concluding at the grounds of St. Columb’s Cathedral.
2pm: Service of Thanksgiving
The Service of Thanksgiving in St. Columb’s Cathedral is the focal point of the day. At the conclusion of the service a wreath will be laid by Officers of the host Parent Club with General Committee at the Siege Heroes Mound in the cathedral grounds.
3pm: Parade leaves the Cathedral
The parade will re-form on Bishop Street and parade via the earlier route in reverse. The parade will conclude in Bishop Street at the effigy of Lundy the Traitor.
4pm: Burning of Lundy
With all Brethren and bands gathered in Bishop Street, the Effigy of Lundy the Traitor will be lit by a selected member(s) of the host Apprentice Boys Club.
4.30pm: Visiting Clubs return to the Waterside
Visiting clubs will return to Waterside via Bishop Street, Hawkin Street, Carlisle Road, Craigavon Bridge, Duke Street, finishing their day at the Waterside Railway Station.