Easter Monday is the first big day in the calendar of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry. Enniskillen was an outstanding event for the Association. Organised excellently by the South West Amalgamated Committee the parade ran smoothly. The weather was kind. Media reports noted the number of young members on parade.
On the evening before the Commemoration the regular meeting of the Parent Club included the Initiation of twenty-four candidates, including nine to be the core of the proposed Club in Corby, six from our oldest Club, Partick and others from Donemana, Newtownstewart, Manorcunningham and Greenock. It was a tremendous end to a year of exceptional numbers being Derry Made into the Murray Club.
Australia Murray had recalled the 335th Annual Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates earlier in the day, in Adelaide, which included the installation of a new Officer team. All the very best to the Club as it continues to establish itself, consolidating and growing, keeping alive the memory of the Brave 13 on the far side of the world.
There was a huge turnout of Apprentice Boys for the Annual Commemoration In Londonderry, reflecting a year of outstanding growth for the Association across all Clubs.
The Service of Thanksgiving in St. Columb’s Cathedral was packed, and with many standing at the back. A wreath was laid on the Siege Heroes Mound. The day ended with the burning of Lundy, with the Mitchelburne Club have the honour to keep the traditions of the Association for this year.
The link to the gallery of images is here.
Late November through to early January is a busy time, with Officers of the Parent Club endeavouring to have at least one representative at a Branch Club’s Installation of Officers, if at all practicable. Donemana Murray made visiting a little easier, holding its Installation of Officers in the Apprentice Boys Room in the Memorial Hall. The Club organised a tour of the Siege Museum preceding the meeting, and arranged refreshment to follow. Congratulations to the Club for the initiative and all the best to the Officers, old and new, for the year ahead.
The English Amalgamated Committee held its AGM and Parade for the second year running in Blackpool, set to be a popular annual event. Along with the Murray Club President, Gordon McMorris, this was an excellent opportunity to meet with our English Clubs, including SAMS Liverpool, Bootle, Lancashire & Cheshire, Thames & Avon, as well as Partick from Scotland. English brethren were joined by many from Scotland and from Northern Ireland. Numbers were an increase on last year, and there were two evenings of entertainment, one with the EAC and a second organised by SAMS Murray which took the pressure on numbers that the EAC venue could accommodate. In addition to meeting our current Clubs we were able to spend some time with members of the potential club to be based in Corby. A very worthwhile weekend.
A fourth member of Murray Australia was Made in 2023 at the regular meeting of the Parent Club in October. It has been very encouraging to see the steady flow of Members from Australia taking the opportunity to be Made while visiting in Northern Ireland or making the trip especially. Joseph Lynd, from Cairns, was visiting family in Northern Ireland and it was great to be able to show him around and to be part of his Initiation.
The Murray Club joined with the Mitchelburne Club for the Annual Visit to the Graves of Col. Mitchelburne and Col. Adam Murray on 17th September. This was the first time the two Clubs were able to join in the Visit to the Graves since 2019. The President, Gordon McMorris laid at wreath at the Grave of Col. Adam Murray. Members of the Parent Club were joined at the event by members from Ballywillan Murray and Donemana Murray.
The traditional Glasgow Clubs parade for the Relief of Derry takes place on the weekend following the Londonderry Commemorations and was organised by Possilpark Murray. Thanks to Michael Falconer, Secretary, for all his work to make the day a success, along with all those who played a part in making the day a success. Following the Parade the Parent Club Secretary enjoyed the hospitality of Possilpark at their meeting Hall.
The Relief of Derry Commemorations on the 12th August was an exceptional day with an impressive turnout from Members.
The celebration of the 334th Anniversary of the Relief of Londonderry started on the other side of the world with the meeting of Australia Murray in Sydney, New South Wales, a little earlier this year, 29th July, with some travelling to be with us in Northern Ireland. At the special initiation meeting on the Friday evening before the big day, we had one Member made from Australia, accompanied by two Australian Brothers. Luke Williams was one of a dozen who were Derry Made that evening.
The newly Made were able to enjoy the main Commemorations on Saturday 12th. Ballinran Flute Band lead General Committee, while once again we had the Robert Graham Memorial Flute Band, from Crawfordsburn in its 50thAnniversary Year, lead the Murray Parent Club.
The link to the image Gallery is here
Donemana Murray celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III with a Service and Parade at the end of July. A new picture of the King was dedicated for Donemana Orange Hall.
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Members of Toronto Murray to the Memorial Hall on Friday 14th July, and an added delight to be able to host a special initiation meeting to have three candidates Derry Made. We were also able to facilitate two Australia Murray candidates who were also in Northern Ireland at this time. Congratulations to all five.
It wasn’t the best weather on the day and the tour of the Walls prior to the meeting was a little damp. It didn’t stop a number of the Toronto Murray taking time to look across historic Londonderry from the top of the Memorial Hall tower.
It wasn’t the best weather on the day and the tour of the Walls was a little damp. It didn’t stop a number of the Toronto Murray taking time to look across historic Londonderry from the top of the Memorial Hall tower.
