Shutting of the Gates
Often referred to as “Lundy’s Day”, each year on the first Saturday in December, the Apprentice Boys of Derry celebrate the stand taken by the thirteen apprentices who shut the gates: the “Brave Thirteen”
Shutting of the Gates
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 we remember their actions in our annual Shutting of the Gates commemorations on the first Saturday in December each year.
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 Apprentice Boys 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.
.
Commemorations
The Shutting of the Gates commemorations are a much smaller event than the Relief Celebrations, with most of the day’s activities taking place within the historic City Walls.
The events as always are centred around a service of thanksgiving in St Columb’s Cathedral with the traditional burning of Lundy the Traitor bringing the commemorations to a close.
Timetable of Events
Midnight: Cannon
The Celebrations will open with the symbolic firing of a cannon on the Walls. One and three times, signifying thirteen: the Brave Thirteen. This will be followed by 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
The Celebrations will open with the symbolic firing of a cannon on the Walls. One and three times, signifying thirteen: the Brave Thirteen. This will be followed by the traditional “Touching of the Gates”.
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) Ferryquay Street, Carlisle Road, Wapping Lane, Kennedy Street, Hawkin Street, London Street. Finishing in 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 the officers of the host Parent Club and 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 and which will then be set alight.
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 at the Waterside Railway Station.
.