A number of reports on the celebrations for the 318th Anniversary of the Shutting of the Gates in Londonderry

The 318th annual Shutting of the Gates Celebrations were held on Saturday 2nd December. As usual the celebrations officially started with the firing of the cannon on the walls at midnight on Friday; 1 shot followed by a further 3 symbolising 13 for the “Brave 13” Apprentice Boys. Thirteen Officers and Members of the Walker Club then walked around the Walls, in the traditional “Touching of the Gates” ceremony.

The celebrations on Saturday were started by General Committee, who opened a special meeting in the Memorial Hall at 10.15am. The Officers of General Committee then led the parade of visiting brethren from the Waterside to the Memorial Hall at 11.30.

The main part of the celebrations got underway 15 minutes earlier than previous years with the parade to St Columb’s Cathedral at 1.15pm. The number of Brethren on parade appeared to be up from last year although the number of bands was down to just 21. The Service of Thanksgiving was led once again by the Dean of the Cathedral, Rev. William Morton. Following the service, General Committee and Officers of the Walker Parent Club led the parade around the town to Bishop St for the burning of the Effigy of Lundy. In a change to previous year’s, General Committee paraded across St Columb’s Court back into the grounds of the Cathedral, while the Clubs paraded into Bishop St behind Lundy. General Committee made their way to the newly restored Heroes Mound, where the Worthy Governor, Bro. William Allen, Lieutenant Governor, Bro. Jim Brownlee and Worthy President of the Walker Club, Bro. John Smyth laid a wreath in memory of those who died during the Siege.

General Committee leading the parade to Bishop Street

General Committee then made their way back to Bishop St where the remaining Brethren and bands had gathered. At 3.30pm the effigy of Lundy was lit by a member of the Walker Parent Club while a number of bands continued to play and entertain the crowd of Apprentice Boys, band members and spectators. When the Effigy was nearly burnt the visiting Clubs and bands paraded back to the Waterside. General Committee met once again at 4.15pm to bring the day’s events to a close.

View Comments (0 comments)