We are a historical, cultural and Protestant organisation originally formed in 1714 (in our current form since 1814) to commemorate and celebrate the 1689 Siege of Londonderry We are the Apprentice Boys of Derry Parent Club one of eight parent clubs of the Apprentice Boys Association within the walls of Londonderry. We are a historical, cultural and Protestant association responsible for keeping a
live the memory of the Great Siege of Londonderry in 1689. The association is part of the marching tradition in Northern Ireland and we parade every year to mark the Shutting of the Gates in December and the Relief of Londonderry in August as well as various other minor events throughout the year. The association also tells the story through out reach, education and other cultural events. Like all the Parent Clubs we have affiliated branch clubs throughout the United Kingdom. We trace our origins to the first Apprentice Boys Club that was founded in 1714 by Colonel Mitchelburn who during the Siege took over the governorship of the city following the death of Governor Baker. This club ceased to exist after Mitchelburn's death although the siege was always marked in Londonderry throughout the 18th Century. In 1814 the Club was resurrected by Benjamin J Darcus and we have had an unbroken history since then. We were among the various Clubs who in 1861 decided to associate together and form the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry and together with those clubs we continue to celebrate and commemorate the Great Siege of 1689.
