Our Festivals The Maiden City Festival 2013 When: 3 – 10 August 2013 Where: Citywide The 2013 Maiden City Festival will definitely ‘Celebrate Diversity’ once again. The event is the prelude to the Annual Relief of Londonderry Commemorations. This will be a packed week of performance in music, dance and drama within and around the historic Walled City, celebrating history and heritage, community and diversity. Special events throughout the year and during the week of the festival will celebrate the music of the flute, so much part of the city’s cultural musicality, and discussion and debate arising from dramatic presentation of history. A major academic conference will be held in late spring on the period 1688 1689 – before, during and the consequences. On a lighter note, the festival will host the first ever Line Dance Championship to be held in Northern Ireland. Look out for regular updates via our social media channels. www.maidencityfestival.com
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The 324th Annual ‘Relief of Londonderry’ Commemorations When: 10 August 2013 Where: Citywide The Apprentice Boys of Derry Annual Relief of Londonderry Commemorations will take place on Saturday 10 August 2013. This will be the 324th Annual Celebration of the Relief of Londonderry following the great Siege of 1688 - 1689. The day begins with members of the Apprentice Boys Parent Clubs walking the walls of the historic city at around 9.30am, and concludes with their return to the Memorial Hall on Society Street at around 5.30pm.
The 325th Annual ‘Shutting of the Gates’ Commemorations When: 7 December 2013 Where: Citywide The Apprentice Boys of Derry annual ‘Shutting of the Gates’ Commemorations include the memorable burning of the effigy of ‘Lundy’ on Bishop Street, which takes place around 4pm. This will be the 325th year of Annual Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates at the start of the great Siege of 1688-1689. It also starts an historic year of celebrating the 300th anniversary of the founding of the first Apprentice Boys club in 1714 by the Siege hero Colonel John Mitchelburne. More information on the traditions around the annual commemorations can be found at www.siegeheroestrail.com. More information about the Siege and the Apprentice Boys Association can be found at www.apprenticeboys.co.uk.