It emerged yesterday that a small group of republicans from the North West attended a tour of the museum, in the Memorial Hall, in the city, some six months ago.

It is understood they were shown around by local Apprentice Boy William Temple.

He then visited Donegal this week to give former IRA prisoners a talk on the Apprentice Boys and Protestant culture.

Mr Temple, a former president of the loyal order’s Murray Club, and now secretary of the Bob Harte Memorial Trust which is focussed on exploring the social and economic history of the Fountain area, was acting in a personal capacity, Apprentice Boys’ sources in Londonderry told the News Letter last night. He could not be contacted.

However, one source said: “We all may have our views on this but Billy is free to invite people to the museum and go where he pleases to talk about Protestant culture.

“The Apprentice Boys have endeavoured to promote a better understanding of their culture in the city, through the museum and events like the Maiden City Festival. So, in one respect, Billy could be said to be taking that agenda a step further.

“There may be some who would be uneasy at the prospect of talking to ex-IRA members but the Apprentice Boys here have been progressive all along the line. We were the first to engage with nationalists when we talked to the Bogside Residents’ Group.”

Mr Campbell, meanwhile, said: “The jury has to still be out on this. The reason for that is that we do not have any indication as to whether or not it had any impact on the thinking of the people (republicans) who took part.

“There are two possible outcomes from their visit. One is that it makes a difference to the thinking of these people who for 30-plus years tried to wipe out the culture and history of Protestants, presumably without having any regard or understanding for that culture.

“If it does change mindsets then it is to be welcomed.

“But the second possible outcome is that it makes no difference and it is just part of a Sinn Fein agenda in which they wish to be seen to engage with unionists and build bridges but for purely propaganda purposes.

“I suspect it is the latter. And when I hear republicans saying they want to talk about the future nature of ‘an agreed Ireland’, I am even less convinced of their motives. I fear they are more about eradicating unionism, rather than accommodating it.

“But we can only wait to hear what they now think of Protestant culture.”

Letterkenny Sinn Fein councillor Gerry McMonagle said Mr Temple’s talk offered an “interesting insight into Derry” during the Siege. He said the event in the Donegal County Museum was based on the theme of Hearing Other Voices.