1,500 expected for Shutting of the Gates

The event marks the 327th anniversary of the ‘Shutting of the Gates’ that preceded the siege of Derry.

In all, about 30 bands are expected to take part in the parade.

The bands and Apprentice Boys will gather at the railway station in the Waterside for a parade that is scheduled to start at 11.40am.

The route will take the procession along Duke Street to cross Craigavon Bridge and along Carlisle Road, Hawkin Street, London Street, Bishop Street and Society Street to the Apprentice Boys’ Memorial Hall.

At about 1.15pm, the parade will reform to process via Society Street, Bishop Street, the Diamond, Ferryquay Street, Wapping Lane, Kennedy Street, Harkin Street and London Street for a service in St Columb’s Cathedral.

At about 3pm, the bands and clubs will follow a reverse route from the cathedral to Bishop Street for the burning of an effigy.

At 4.15pm, the bands and clubs will parade from Bishop Street via London Street, Hawkin Street and Carlisle Road to return to the Waterside for dispersal.

No roads will be closed during the day, but motorists are advised to expect delays while parades are in progress.

Held each year on the first Saturday in December, the Shutting of the Gates parade commemorates the actions of the 13 apprentices who shut the City’s gates in 1688 and set in place the events which led to the Great Siege.

The celebrations commence at midnight with the firing of cannon on the City Walls and the ‘Touching of the Gates.’ The day concludes with the traditional burning of an effigy of the Siege traitor Colonel Robert Lundy.