The Shutting of the Gates Celebrations......

.......or commonly known as 'Lundy' day.

For those who are not familiar with this chapter in Irish history, here's a quick run down.

Each year the Apprentice Boys of Derry celebrate the stand taken by the thirteen apprentices who shut the gates: the "Brave Thirteen".

Following the arrival of King William III in England, there had been widespread panic among Protestants in Ireland that there would be a massacre of Protestants. While the citizens of Londonderry were agitated by these reports, news came that a regiment of Roman Catholics were on their way to Londonderry.



When the army arrived on the 7th December (old calendar), the leaders of the city were still debating what to do. Thirteen young apprentices took the initiative and shut the gates in the faces of the army. Their actions were the spark which led to the Siege of Derry, the longest siege in British military history.



Today we commemorate their actions in our annual Shutting of the Gates Celebrations on the first Saturday in December.



The Celebrations start with the symbolic firing of a cannon on the city's historic walls at midnight. 13 members of a Parent Club will then make their way to each of the four original City gates, as the 13 apprentices did in 1688.



The main celebrations begin later on Saturday with the visiting Branch Clubs and bands parading from the Waterside to the Memorial Hall. The main parade then makes its way from Society Street around the City Centre to a service of thanksgiving in St Columb's Cathedral. Following the service, the parade makes its way back to Bishop Street for the traditional burning of Lundy the Traitor.



source:apprenticeboys.co.uk

As usual, click a thumbnail to view the entire set (43 images). I hope you enjoy and possibly learn a little history from this country.