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  • February 18, 2025
Londonderry: Apprentice Boys parade goes ahead despite storm

Londonderry: Apprentice Boys parade goes ahead despite storm

Thousands of apprentice boys were due to take part in the closing of the gates commemorations in Londonderry on Saturday.

The march marks the anniversary of the 17th century siege of the city, which commemorates an event known as the “closing of the gates”, when 13 disciples closed the walled city gates against the approaching army of Catholic King James in December 1688 II.

The siege lasted 105 days and cost more than 10,000 lives, most of them civilians.

About 25 gangs would take part in a parade through the city, ending with the traditional burning of an effigy of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Lundy, known as Lundy the Traitor for his offer to surrender to the Jacobite army.