Apprentice Boys of Derry facts for kids
Logo of the associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry
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A flag of the Apprentice Boys
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| Formation | 1814 |
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| Founded at | Derry, County Londonderry |
| Headquarters | Derry |
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Northern Ireland Scotland Republic of Ireland England Canada Australia |
| Subsidiaries | The associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry |
The Apprentice Boys of Derry is a Protestant group with over 10,000 members worldwide. It was started in 1814 and is based in Derry, Northern Ireland. You can find clubs and branches in Ulster, other parts of Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, and Canada. The group remembers the 1689 Siege of Derry. During this siege, Catholic King James II tried to take over the walled city, which was a Protestant stronghold. In the past, parades by the Apprentice Boys sometimes caused trouble with the city's Irish nationalist majority. But now, they are much more peaceful. For example, the 2014 'Shutting of the Gates' parade was very large and had no violence.
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The Siege of Derry
The Siege of Derry began in December 1688. Thirteen young apprentice boys famously shut the city gates. They closed them against a group of 1,200 soldiers led by Alexander Macdonnell. These soldiers were loyal to King James II.
King James II, who had come from France, arrived at Derry's gates on April 18, 1689. The people inside the city shouted "No Surrender!" The siege lasted for many months. It finally ended on July 28, 1689. Two brave merchant ships, the Mountjoy and the Phoenix, sailed up the River Foyle. They broke through a large timber barrier that was blocking the river.
The ships brought much-needed food and supplies to the starving city. Three days later, the soldiers who were attacking the city left. It is believed that about 4,000 people died during the siege. This was about half of the city's population. Many people had to eat unusual things like dogs, horses, and rats to survive.
Annual Celebrations
The Apprentice Boys hold two main celebrations each year. The first is called the 'Closing of the Gates'. This happens on the first Saturday in December. It remembers the brave actions of the original apprentice boys.
The second celebration is the Relief of Derry. This takes place on the second Saturday in August. It celebrates the end of the siege. The Relief Parade in Derry is one of the largest parades in Northern Ireland. In some parts of the city, large bonfires are built and lit.
In recent years, the August celebration has grown into the week-long Maiden City Festival. This festival includes many different cultural events. You can find bluegrass music, Irish and Ulster Scots music, art shows, and events from other local groups like the Chinese and Polish communities.
During the December celebrations, it is a tradition to burn or hang a dummy of Robert Lundy. He was a governor of Derry who wanted to give up during the siege.
In 2007, the Apprentice Boys held 231 parades in Northern Ireland. About half of these were for the Relief of Derry. The other half were for the Closing of the Gates. The main August parade in Derry can have as many as 10,000 marchers and 127 bands.
History of the Clubs
The first celebrations of the relief of Derry happened on July 28, 1689. The hungry citizens gathered on the city walls to welcome the relief ships. The first organized celebration was a special church service on August 8, 1689.
On August 1, 1714, a hero from the siege, Colonel Mitchelburne, started the first club. It was known as the Apprentice Boys. For many years, the local soldiers helped organize the August and December events.
In the early 1800s, Catholic clergy and citizens sometimes joined in the celebrations. However, by 1869, a government report found that the parades were causing bad feelings among some Catholic groups. The report even suggested banning the parades.
The Apprentice Boys became more important in organizing the celebrations in the early 1800s. The Apprentice Boys of Derry Club was formed in 1814. More clubs were created later, leading to eight main clubs. These include the Apprentice Boys, Walker, Mitchelburne, and No Surrender clubs.
In 1861, these clubs decided to work together under a main group called the General Committee. This committee still guides the association today.
The celebrations continued with traditions like firing replica siege cannons and ringing cathedral bells. They also raise the Crimson Flags and lay wreaths to remember those who died. In December, they still burn an effigy of Robert Lundy.
In 1969, an Apprentice Boys parade in Derry led to serious unrest. This event is sometimes seen as the start of a difficult period known as the Troubles.
Walker's Pillar
Plans for a tall memorial pillar for George Walker were finished in 1826. Walker was a brave leader during the siege. This pillar became a central part of the celebrations.
In 1832, the tradition of burning an effigy of Colonel Lundy began at the pillar. The pillar was destroyed by a bomb in 1973. Later, the base of the memorial was fixed for the 300th anniversary of the siege. The statue of Walker was moved to a new memorial garden next to the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall.
Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall
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The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall opened in 1877. It was built to remember the thirteen apprentice boys who closed the city gates in 1688. In 1937, the hall was made bigger. This new part remembers those who died in the Great War (1914–1918). The hall is an important building within the walled city.
Today, it is the main office for the Apprentice Boys association. It has offices and a meeting room. All new members join the group in this hall. Other groups also use parts of the hall. It also has a social club and a museum. The museum is usually open to visitors during the summer months. In 2012, it received money to create a new visitor center.
Membership
New members can only join the Apprentice Boys within the historic city walls of Derry. Members wear special crimson collars. These collars remind them of the crimson flag that flew from the cathedral during the siege. Only Protestant men can become members of the Apprentice Boys of Derry.
Images for kids
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A flag of the Apprentice Boys
See also
In Spanish: Aprendices de Derry para niños
