Apprentice Boys' Lundy Parade 2018

https://vimeo.com/303982195

Lundy Day 2018 marks the 330th anniversary of the 13 Apprentices shutting the city's gates.  2,000 Apprentice Boys marched in the city of Londonderry in the annual Lundy Day Parade. During the parade the Apprentice Boys were accompanied by 23 bands from across Northern Ireland, England and Scotland. 

Some of the Northern Irish bands who paraded came from Castlederg (Castlederg Young Loyalist Flute Band ), Dungiven (Dungiven Crown Defenders Flute Band) and Belfast (South Belfast Protestant Boys Flute Band) to name but a few. The day consisted of parading and a church service of thanksgiving in St. Columbs Cathedral. 

The parade started in the Waterside crossing the famous blue Craigavon Bridge which leads into the city, where the bands then navigated the narrow streets of the City. The route from the Waterside consisted of: 

• Waterside Railway Station.

• Duke Street.

• Craigavon Bridge.

• Carlisle Road.

• Hawkin Street.

• London Street.

• Bishops Street.

• Palace Street.

• Society Street.

The day concluded with Lt Col Robert Lundy’s effigy being burnt at 4pm on Bishops Street in the city centre.

Gregory Campbell MP (DUP), provided some narrative and history of what the day is about:

Lundys day is the day the traitor Lundy is burnt. The effigy is burnt because he is the man who attempted to betray the city, not just the city of course it's Londonderry, it was the entire United Kingdom. It came about as a result of the psalm taken by the Apprentice Boys inside the walls. People came from all over the North of Ireland into the walls where The Siege was held. Robert Lundy attempted to betray those who were at the siege and then he escaped and we celebrate and commemorate that day by burning his effigy every year on the Saturday closest to the day when it is believed the gates were shut.