Londonderry: Thousands march in Apprentice Boys parade

An effigy of Lt Col Robert Lundy was burnt at the end of the parade

Several thousand Apprentice Boys have taken part in the annual Lundy parade in Londonderry.

The annual event marks the anniversary of the 17th Century siege of the city.

More than 25 bands joined the parade through the city on Saturday ahead of a service of thanksgiving and a wreath-laying ceremony.

The main parade ended with the burning of an effigy of Lt Col Robert Lundy, known as Lundy the Traitor.

The march commemorates an event known as the "shutting of the gates", when 13 apprentices locked the walled city's gates against the approaching army of the Catholic King James II in December 1688.

Lt Col Lundy once held the title of governor of Derry and gained his reputation for treachery among unionists due to his offer to surrender to the Jacobite army.

The Siege of Derry lasted 105 days and cost more than 10,000 lives, the majority of them civilians.

Apprentice Boys governor Graeme Stenhouse said the parade was "the most important day of the year" for the organisation.

"Many discussions have gone on for 30 years to make these parades are [peaceful]," he said.

Apprentice Boys governor Graeme Stenhouse said the march would be respectful

"We believe that if we are respectful in the way that we conduct our business then we will get respect from the nationalist community.

"We fully appreciate that we live in a nationalist city but on the other hand we believe we are entitled to celebrate our culture and mark our history."

Last year's Lundy parade in the city was scaled back due to the Covid-19 pandemic.