Apprentice Boys of Derry

The Apprentice Boys Of Derry are a Protestant fraternal society with a worldwide membership. They are based in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The Society aims to commemorate the 1688 siege of Derry where Catholic King James II of England & Ireland laid siege to the walled city of Derry / Londonderry which harboured the local Protestant population.

The siege was the longest in the history of the British Isles and finally came to an end when Protestant King William Of Orange from Holland sailed into port and broke the "boom" across the River Foyle which was blocking supplies to the city. However, at least half the population of the city had died of starvation or injury. Many had been forced to eat dogs, horses and rats. The siege has sunk deep into the Ulster Protestant psyche and apparently began when 13 Apprentice Boys shut the gates of the city against the oncoming army. King James demanded their surrender which resulted in the famous retort of "No Surrender".

This fraternity celebrates twice anuually. Firstly, the "closing of the gates". Secondly, the "relief of Derry" parade which, in recent years, has transformed into the week long Maiden City Festival in August and hosts a series of diverse cultural events including Bluegrass festivals, Irish and Ulster-Scots music and tuition, arts exhibitions and events staged by the local Chinese and ethnic communities.

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