ABOD Parent Club

09/08/2026

08/08/2026

Another fantastic day in our Maiden City and another excellent celebration of the Relief of Londonderry.

Can I acknowledge the efforts of all those who work hard to make today the excellent day that it was from the officers of the General Committee, our marshals, staff in the Mem and all those who work today to help facilitate the celebration of the most important single event in the history of Londonderry as well as a most significant event for the British Isles as a whole. It was great to see our local authority recognise that and mark it themselves via lighting up the Guildhall clock on Friday night. A gesture that is very much appreciated and welcome.

Credit also to everyone at the Maiden City Festival and all those from various culture and arts groups who were able to rise to the challenges they faced and put on a first class festival.

We were most fortunate regarding the weather as despite some dire forecasts throughout the week the torrential rain that was predicted never materialised. Once again it was great to see St Columb’s Cathedral so well attended and to see our civic service attended by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for the County Bourgh of Londonderry, the High Sherrif of Londonderry, Baroness Foster and at the invitation of the Association representatives of the Indian Council of Scotland and the United Kingdom. The Dean of Derry preached an excellent service comparing Saul’s pursuit of David with the Siege and remarking on how both David and the citizens of this city were sustained by faith. Lessons we hopefully put into practice today.

A special thank you goes to our marshals and all our club members who helped each other throughout the day, as well as our fellow citizens of our great city who distribute water and juice. Such community spirit would no doubt be recognised by our besieged ancestors. A special thanks to our colour party who conducted themselves smartly, particularly to the two Brethren who each carried our crimson banner and bannerette both of which are among the largest on parade by themselves for the whole parade.

With the days events concluded we are now looking forward to the Shutting of the Gates commemoration in December.

08/08/2026

The bells ringing the crimson flying

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

Today the Maiden City hails
Heroic deeds of old,
And on its famed and ancient walls
The crimson flags unfold.

Nigh on three hundred years have gone
Since the historic day,
When gaunt, beleaguered Derry saw
The prisoning boom give way.

Against that floating barricade,
The Mountjoy stoutly sailed,
The shattered timbers fell apart,
The Siege of Derry failed!

And gates which in defiance closed,
Against the encircling foe,
Now wide are flung, as proudly borne
The crimson banners go.

So Derrymen that August day,
In memory do enshrine,
And honour still the 'prentice boys
Of Sixteen Eighty Nine.

07/08/2026

It was great to see the club room so full at tonight's meeting before the big day. We had Brethren from branch clubs near and far join us with candidates being "Derry Made" within the walls of Londonderry before the big day tomorrow, we also had the pleasure of welcoming new members to the Parent Club itself as well as acknowledge the long service of our long time treasurer Bro Kitson who joined the club on the eve of the Releif of Londonderry celebrations 60 years ago. Bro Kitson was presented with his 60 year jewel and certificate at the meeting by the Lt Governor and the Parent Club President.

07/08/2026

Wishing all Brethren and musicians a great day tomorrow. We in the Apprentice Boys of Derry Parent Club are looking forward to walking the Maiden City with Burntollet Sons of Ulster Flute Band. The Timings for tomorrow are:

0000 – Firing of cannon

0930- parade City Walls starting at Grand Parade and heading via Bishops Gate, Church Wall, New Gate, Ferryquay Gate, East Wall, Shipquay Gate, magazine Gate, Castle Gate, Butchers Gate, the Platform, then leaving the walls at Society Street and heading via Palace Street,Bishop Street and the Diamond for a wreath laying service at City War Memorial, before proceeding via Ferryquay Street and Artillery Street (Pump Street is cordoned off for safety due to a derelict building) to St Columb’s Cathedral.

1030- Service of Thanksgiving in St Columb’s Cathedral (the most important part of the day).

1200- Relief of Derry pageant

ABOD Parent Club to form up for main parade in Artillery Street

1230- Main Parade via Ferryquay Street, Diamond clockwise, Bishop Street, London Street, Hawkin Street, Kennedy Street, Wapping Lane, Craigavon Bridge, Spencer Road, Dungiven Road, Dennet Gardens, Sheskin Gardens, Bann Drive, Finn Gardens, Mourne Drive, Dennet Gardens, Dungiven Road, Glendermott Road and Bonds Street.

1700 – Return Parade via May Street, Bonds Street, Clooney Terrace, Spencer Road, Craigavon Bridge, Carlisle Road, Ferryquay Street, Diamond (left hand side), Bishop Street, Palace Street and finishing at the Memorial Hall on Society Street.

This year it is the turn of the Browning Parent Club to fulfil the lesser known but no less important role touching the Gates, erecting the siege flags on Royal Bastion and providing the colour party & collecting the offering in the Cathedral. We last did this in 2022 and we wish them well tomorrow. Weather forecast is predicting a typical Londonderry Summer day, overcast with the possibility of passing rain showers, so thankfully not as hot as the 12th July.

The Relief of Londonderry celebrations are celebrations. The ending of the siege was a great joyous occasion for those who suffered within our walls, and the defence of our civil and religious liberty is worthy of celebration. That civil and religious liberty was obtained through much suffering and sacrifice and so the Relief of Londonderry is as much a commemoration as it is a celebration. We trust all those in the Maiden City tomorrow (both those taking part in the events and those spectating) will keep that in mind but of course also have joyful day as we celebrate the salvation of our city, province and kingdom.