The Reason Why We Remember The Siege Of Londonderry | Robert Little

The Reason Why We Remember The Siege Of Londonderry | Robert Little "To Lose Londonderry is to Lose a Kingdom!" These are the words of Colonel Richards to Colonel Lundy. The shutting of the gates by 13 apprentices, which happened on 7th December 1688, is commemorated each year in Londonderry on the first Saturday of December, dubbed "Lundy's Day" with the firing of cannons and the touching of the four original gates (Bishops Gate, Butchers Gate, Shipquay Gate, and Ferryquay Gate), as well as various marches and services held culminating in the burning of Lundy in effigy as a traitor. The end of the siege is celebrated by the Relief of Derry parade, usually held on the second Saturday of August. On 1st August 1714, ex-Governor and siege hero Colonel Mitchelburne hoisted a crimson flag on the steeple of St Columb's Cathedral to mark the anniversary of the relief of the city, a practice that has continued for many years. None can deny the great importance of the Siege of Londonderry in our nation’s history. A city under siege, enemies without, traitors within, a demanding Catholic leaning king and a defiant Protestant people; this truly is a story of heroes, villains and a siege that helped shape the destiny of the British Isles and beyond.