Apprentice Boys to march in Derry

About 10,000 members of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, accompanied by 120 bands, will parade through the city centre tomorrow …

About 10,000 members of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, accompanied by 120 bands, will parade through the city centre tomorrow to mark the 316th anniversary of the Relief of Derry.

The celebrations will start at midnight tonight with the firing of a cannon on the city's walls to symbolise the actions of 13 apprentices who shut the gates of the city against the advancing army of King James in 1689.

The parade is the culmination of a week-long Maiden City Festival organised by the Apprentice Boys. The day's events start with the officers and members of the general committee of the loyal order walking around the city's wall.

Apprentice Boys will then lay a wreath at the War Memorial in the Diamond before attending a service of thanksgiving in St Columb's Church of Ireland Cathedral. After the service the general committee members will walk to Craigavon Bridge where, after a Relief of Derry pageant, the main parade will cross the bridge from the Waterside.