APPRENTICE BOYS OF DERRY Meaning and
Definition
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The Apprentice Boys of Derry (also known as the Apprentice Boys Association) is a Protestant fraternal society in Northern Ireland. The organization was founded in 1814 and is centered around commemorating the Siege of Derry, an event that took place in 1689 during the Williamite War.
The term "Apprentice Boys" refers to a group of 13 apprentice craftsmen who shut the gates of the walled city of Derry, also known as Londonderry, to prevent the army of the deposed Catholic King James II from entering. The siege lasted for approximately 105 days until it was successfully lifted by the Williamite forces led by Protestant King William III.
Membership in the Apprentice Boys of Derry is open to Protestant men who adhere to the principles of the organization. Their main goal is to defend and promote the Protestant heritage and identity of the city of Derry. The association organizes parades and protests every year which culminate in the annual commemoration of the Relief of Derry on December 18th, also known as "Lundy's Day."
These parades often attract controversy due to their polarizing nature and historical context, as they are seen by some as a celebration of Protestant dominance and exclusion of Catholics. The Apprentice Boys of Derry play a significant role in the ongoing tensions between the Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland.
