Apprentice Boys of Derry

The Apprentice Boys of Derry is a Protestant fraternal organization founded in 1814 in Derry, Northern Ireland. It commemorates the 1689 siege when local defenders, mainly apprentices and tradesmen, prevented the Catholic King James II’s forces from entering the city. The group organizes annual marches and events to celebrate Protestantism and show regional pride, particularly around the city’s Walls. While rooted in history and community identity, the organization has also been associated with sectarian tensions, reflecting Northern Ireland’s complex religious and political history.