The Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry

A BRIEF HISTORY

The first celebrations of the relief of Derry took place on Sunday 28th July 1689 (Old calendar), 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 Saint Columbs Cathedral. This has set the precedence for our celebrations ever since.

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 Military Garrison based in Londonderry, in much the same way as the acts of remembrance held on 11th November each year.

There is evidence from the Roman Catholic Bishop McDevitt in 1839 that Roman Catholics up until that time had joined the celebrations with their fellow Protestant citizens.

The Apprentice Boys role in the celebrations became more important in the early nineteenth century and we seen 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.

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 the Burning of an effigy of Lundy and of utmost importance the service of thanksgiving in Saint Columbs Cathedral.

Walkers Pillar

Plans for the 81foot high Walker Memorial Pillar were completed in 1826. After the completion of the pillar it played a central role in the celebrations. In 1832 we seen the first occassion of the burning of the effigy of Colonel Lundy, the English Protestant Governor during the early part of the Seige. The pillar was destroyed by a bomb in the early 1970s. The Memorial plynth 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.

The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall.

The Hall was opened in 1877, dedicated to the memory of the Brave Thirteen Apprentice Boys who closed the City gates in 1688. In 1937 the hall was extended along Society Street. The extention is dedicated to the memory of those who died in "The Great War" of 1914-1918.

It now houses the headquarters debating Chamber of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Association and their office. This is not the sole use of the hall however. Other organisations such as the Orange Order have separate accommodation in the Hall it supports a thriving Social Club.