'An enjoyable day for all': Thousands in attendance for the annual Apprentice Boys' Relief of Derry parade

Accompanied by over 120 bands, more than 7,000 Apprentice Boys members took part in proceedings around the city’s walls.

The parade commemorates the end of the 105-day siege of the city in 1689, when its inhabitants celebrated the arrival of relief after enduring months of attacks, hunger, disease and death.

The day’s events began on Saturday morning with local Apprentice Boys and several bands completing a circuit of the city’s historic walls.

Members then attended a service of thanksgiving at St Columb’s Cathedral before taking part in a pageant re-enacting the Siege of Derry.

The main parade got underway around lunchtime, with police warning motorists to expect some traffic disruption throughout the day.

Reflecting on the day, Governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, William Walker said: “There have been months of preparation for the Association towards ensuring an enjoyable day for all in Londonderry for our annual commemorations.

"It has been an outstanding day of colour and pageant, commemoration and celebration.

“Our thanks to the PSNI, Translink, City Centre Initiative and Council departments that we have worked with over the past six months and more to bring everything together.

“We’d like to thank the Maiden City Festival who entertained visitors from across the World on the Walls in St. Columb’s Cathedral and in the Memorial Hall. The Festival continues to set the mood ahead of the main event at the weekend.

“Thanks too to the Dean of St.Columb’s for the annual public Service of Thanksgiving for the Relief of Derry, which to the Association is the most important part of the day; in the historic Cathedral that played such an vital role in the Siege, we have the opportunity to give thanks to God for ‘deliverance’ which is at the centre of today’s commemorations.”

With this year’s parade consigned to the history books, Mr Walker outlined how preparations will quickly start ahead of the 338th anniversary parade this time next year.

He added: “We are always looking to improve, and we’ll be sitting down in the next week or so to review all reports, debrief with the PSNI and our Marshal team, and to take whatever is necessary to move forward and to thoroughly consider how to improve further for the future.

“Finally, I would like to thank the thousands of Apprentice Boys who wore the Crimson with Pride, the bands engaged, and their family and friends, and the many visitors spectating, some of whom have parked their campervans as early as Wednesday evening to get the best spot for viewing.

"This has been another memorable day for our Association and for the City.

"We hope all had a safe journey home and look forward to seeing everyone once again in our beloved Londonderry.”