Open for the duration of the Festival, 6th, 8th to 12th.

The Apprentice Boys has a fine collection of memorabilia that spans the centuries and provides an insight to the remarkable social history of Londonderry and the Association. The exhibition explains the foundation and significant aspects of the Apprentice Boys history and Association. Located in the meeting rooms of the Memorial Hall, the museum and exhibition also provides a unique opportunity for anyone to take a look behind the doors of the Memorial Hall. All are welcome.

Takes place 8th to 12th.

The W F MARSHALL SUMMER SCHOOL, is an event that is now in its fifth year. It is organised separately from the Festival by the Centre for British Studies, an educational trust. This year's course introduces the Ulster Scot Foundation Course which is fully OCN accredited. The course explores just why the Ulster and Scottish peoples get along so well, sharing football, religion and outlooks on life. We look at the important elements that have shaped Ulster Scot attitudes to: Learning, Religion, State, Community, and Culture.

• Learning—an inherent tradition of the Reformation.
• Religion—how the relationship to God shapes the relationship with others.
• State—the love/hate relationship with Government is entirely natural.
• Community—individualism is reconciled with sense of place and collective loyalty to shared principles.
• Culture—diversity is the strength of a culture that is dynamic, fluid and as unfathomable as it is open and engaging.

The Ulster Scot Foundation Course is accredited by the NIOCN (Open College Network) and will be delivered through a series of three 10 hour learning modules. The aim of the course is to provide a format that encourages access to cultural learning and education catering for the particular needs of the “Protestant” community.

This years programme includes three music development workshops around Northern Ireland in the week preceding the Festival. These will help musicians explore traditional music from Ulster Scot to Appalachian bluegrass and old time styles. More details through the Festival Office.

Why W F Marshall? WF Marshall was born 1888, and had a strong association with Magee College. He was 'rediscovered' in 1983 with the publication of 'Livin' in Drumlister', a collection of his poems. The work reveals a Protestant who is confident of his identity and sure of his cultural place. The Summer School offers the opportunity to explore the positive aspects of Protestant identity. W F Marshall continues to inspire the ethos of the Centre for British Studies W F Marshall Summer School. For further information contact the Festival office or complete the Summer School section of the booking form.

Verbal Arts Centre—exhibitions, coffee shop and lunchtime entertainment.

Verbal Arts Centre at Double Bastion nr. Bishops Gate 6th, 8th to 12th.

The Verbal Arts Centre will be open for Saturday's Bluegrass on the Walls, with performers located adjacent on the Double Bastion of the Walls.

The Verbal Arts Centre is a key location for Maiden City Festival events throughout the week. There will be lunchtime cultural events at the Verbal Arts Centre's coffee house each day, with evening events in the Blue Coat Room. The main attraction of the festival, as always, is the walls, and we will bring the coffee house on the walls alive with a range of visitor attractions during this time of commemoration, celebration and festivity. Lunchtime activities take place from Monday August 8th—Friday August 12th.

A new venture for the Maiden City Festival, in collaboration with the Playhouse's Context Art Gallery. In advance of the Festival a call will be made for art interpretations on the theme “St Columbs Cathedral and its Environs.” A panel will consider which provides the most appropriate interpretation of the theme and present a Commission to the creator. A series of smaller commissions will be provided to submissions of note. All submissions will be exhibited in the Context Gallery 8th–10th August.

Bluegrass on the Walls is a popular event that takes music to the walls, streets and shopping centres of the City. Once again a selection of the very best in Bluegrass and Appalachian Folk will be located around the Walls of the City making this popular music accessible to all. A special and very welcome return to our American cousins Josh Goforth, this year with his TRIO and our Dutch friends the Bluegrass Boogiemen, as well as the Niall Toner Band, Woodbine, Rough Deal String Band, Northern Exposure and Acoustic Grass. There are also likely guest appearances from Jeff and Vida and Sharon Cort. All the bands join in a weekend of great music that once departed from the shores of Ulster and returns to the Maiden City for this headline event. The bands will play on the Walls and in the Foyle Shopping Centre during the day and there will be “Bluegrass in the Hall” in the evening.

This year's Bluegrass in the Hall will be a concert format for bluegrass fans in the Tower Hotel's new Ulster Suite, with entrance opposite the main Hotel. The Josh Goforth Trio with its authentic Appalachian sound will lead an evening of the very best in Bluegrass—pure Bluegrass and nothing else. Frank Galligan, as ever, will ably compere what will be an evening of outstanding sounds combining the fresh sound of the Appalachian Hills with the Josh Goforth Trio, Dutch innovation from the Bluegrass Boogiemen, and the fabulous Niall Toner Band's new material.

To add to the family atmosphere of a City getting into Festival swing a Festival Fair is planned for the Cathedral quarter with street entertainment, including Loopy Lou's side shows and a Pig Race to add to the Festival mood.

Line Dance. What can we say? Only those with the energy and stamina should join a foot stomping evening of entertainment including guest appearances and non–stop music. A late night, all dancing extravaganza hosted by Elma & Sharon, Live music by Alan Black, Disco by Ann & Bobby Owens with Guest DJ Tony Devenney. All Ireland Dance Exhibition, Prize Draw, Door Prize and Prize for the Best Dressed Male and Best Dressed Female. Have you the stamina to last all this action...

A range of people who have played a prominent role in the musical life of the City offer their favourite pieces of inspirational music. Dean Morton once again kindly guides the afternoon, with contributions from a number of local performers. All are welcome to this family service which celebrates the importance of service to the community.

We start the week with entertainment from the musicians and storytellers from Tongues Tones and Tapping. This multi–instrumental group incorporates accordion, guitar, whistles and vocals, with a Lambeg drum and other percussion. They provide education and entertainment through song, verse, music and dance to highlight cultural diversity. Featuring Liam Mullan, Packie Kealey, Jimmy O'Hara, Richard Campbell and George Murphy. They will be joined by storyteller Maud Steele from Kilrea, and Louise Corrigan and Sharon Carroll from Hampsey Harp School in Garvagh.

MEMories nights is for all those who wish to experience the carefree nights of the sixties, when the Memorial Hall was the meeting point for all the young of the City. This will be a great night with the return of the Woodlanders for one of their very rare reunions. For the young at heart, relive the sixties nights at the Mem, when the Mem was the centre for the young and free from across the City. The Brotherhood of Man also headline on the night for a wonderful, marvellous Mem night of Memories. Book early.

Time for the kids to be distracted rather than the parents. After five weeks into the school holidays a session of creative activity is exactly what is needed to feed the imagination. The puppeteers and the carnival creators and the dramatists and the painters and the colourists and all those who make an imagination come into life will be on hand to encourage lively little minds express themselves in an explosion of constructive creativity. Sessions are held in the morning and in the afternoon. Booking onto one of these sessions will be through the Playhouse on 028 7126 8027.

Meeting at the Somme Association's excellent centre, the W F Marshall Summer School takes a morning to look at the consciousness of the Ulsterman who has to deal with the memories of the First World War, which had so closely followed near rebellion against the Empire in 1912, and the partition of the United Kingdom in 1920 with the Government of Ireland Act. Ten years of turmoil and traumatic times of change.

Meeting in Stormont, the titular home of government for Northern Ireland, the WF Marshall Summer School reviews more recent history of Northern Ireland. The past ten years has also been a time of change. Will this herald a period of uncertainty such as created in 1920 or is there no comparison.

These two sessions in Belfast contribute to “The State” 10 hour module of the Ulster Scot Foundation Course. Anyone wishing to complete this module must pre–register with the WF Marshall Summer School. Each 10 hour module, includes time to read a selection of additional reading matter and complete the accompanying learning journal. 'The State' Module is equivalent to a single unit Level 1 NIOCN accreditation.

This lunchtime event will highlight Polish tradition and customs, with demonstrations of Polish costume, videos of Polish traditional dance, song and culture. Come along and partake of some customary Polish foods, provided on the day.

A discussion on whether or not there was a Siege. There was certainly more than 105 Days between the Closing of the Gates and the Relief of the City. So if some of this time was not siege, when or what was the siege; or was there ever a siege at all? Joining in the discussion will be Professor Tom Frazer, Provost of Magee, and Richard Doherty, historian and author.

An evening of classical music in the wonderful setting of one of Londonderry's oldest houses. An historic setting in this wonderful home, with a series of classical pieces being playing in various rooms of the house. Prehen House is worth a visit simply for the insight to a hidden architectural and cultural treasure of the North West. This unique evening is a perfect complement, a classic setting for classical sounds of music that reflect the generations that have passed through the House.

Entry to the evening is free, though a donation of £10.00 towards Prehen House refurbishment would be appreciated on the night.

This night is a popular family night and has something for all the family to enjoy, even if it is only an escape in the Minor Hall and a bit of gentle Karaoke for the parents. Upstairs the kids will have a night of bouncing music presented by the unique DJ DNS and with a guest appearance from the gorgeous vocalist, Miss T, Paula Tweed.

Noisy and exciting fireworks is a perfect end to the kids' day, to everyone's day. Leave the Memorial Hall having enjoyed an evening of great entertainment, to end the night with a Fireworks Display that provides a celebration of noise and colour, rising above the ancient City Walls. The bright lights shine on the Memorial Hall as a perfect ending to a fun day of great Festival events.

Following on from his appearance at the recent City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, Paul McIntyre is one of the City's finest jazz pianists with a repertoire that features all the jazz standards. As well as being a fine musician, Paul is also an excellent vocalist and is in demand throughout the island. Music is in his blood: after all, he is the son of the celebrated jazz musician Gay McIntyre.

Focusing on the Scot in UIster Scots, this is an afternoon and evening of the best in Scottish dance and music. The Dance Competition will begin at 1pm sharp and will bring young dancers from across Northern Ireland to compete for the third Maiden City Highland Dance Competition. Organisers are looking forward to attracting competitors from Ulster, Scotland and further afield—last year the competition attracted a Canadian entry. Competition will be for Primary, Beginners, Novice, Intermediate and Premier. The event will be organised by the Sollus Highland School of Dance. All entrants must be registered with SOBHD, and the entry fee will be just £1 per dance. Entries must be registered before Wednesday 27th July. To request an entry form or more information, contact: James Kee, 251 Victoria Road, Bready, BT82 0EB, Tel/Fax 028 7184 1636.

Then from 8pm in the evening there is a marvellous night of entertainment to complete a night out of Scottish music, song and dance with a special Highland Fling which continues to prove highly popular. Bready Ulster–Scots Group will again provide the skirl of the pipes, the beat of the drum and the widely acclaimed Sollus Highland Lassies plus the Herbie McFarland Folk 4. The line up of excellent entertainment for the evening gets even better with John & Trevor (The Rab C Nesbitts) as never seen before. PLUS, Dancing Fingers with Robert Watt and Emma Culbert providing a selection of traditional and contrmporary Scottish tunes. Music, dance and mirth all adding up to an extra special Highland Fling, and at only £5 per ticket.

Starting at St Columbs Cathedral the WF Marshall Summer School looks at 'Religion' through the churches of the City.

This morning session contributes to the “Religion” 10 hour module of the Ulster Scot Foundation Course. A further afternoon of learning will take place at the Ebrington Centre in the afternoon. Anyone wishing to complete this module must pre–register with the WF Marshall Summer School. Each 10 hour module, includes time to read a selection of additional reading matter and complete the accompanying learning journal. The 'Religion'

An evening of literary readings and discussion in the wonderful setting of the Library of one of Londonderry's oldest houses. Prehen House is worth the visit simply for an insight on a hidden architectural and cultural treasure of the North West. This unique setting is a perfect complement to readings and discussions with authors, poets or literary commentators.

Entry to the evening is free, though a donation of £10.00 towards Prehen House refurbishment would be appreciated on the night.

Maurice Bradley comes from Draperstown. He plays uileann pipes, fiddle, flute, whistle and melodeon and has featured regularly on traditional music programmes on radio and television, such as 'The Corner House', 'The Pure Drop' and 'Geantraí' .He currently Lectures on the two year Btec National Diploma Course in traditional Music at N.W.I.F.H.E. and is involved in teaching at various music festivals and workshops throughout the year such as the annual 'Cairdeas na bhFidléirí, Donegal Fiddle School' at Glencolmcille and more recently 'The Rathlin Piping Festival' and the piping workshops run by Robbie Hannon at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra.

Robert Watt was introduced to the pipes in his local pipe band, Tamlaght O'Crilly. In his later years he became interested in Piobaireachd (the classical music of the bagpipe), and in a short time his name was appearing regularly in prize lists at home and in Scotland. An award–winning piper, he has won three MacAllan trophies at the international Celtic festival held annual in Lorient. A popular solo recitalist, he is often asked to perform at public recitals and instruct at workshops across the world, as well as having adjudicated at piping competitions in Scotland and Denmark. In 2002, Robert formed 'Dancing Fingers', a duo with musician Emma Culbert.

Two views on Lundy are discussed. There is not much room for a middle view on this one. A panel will lead the discussion before opening to the audience for some lively comment.

OK. So there was no food in the Siege, but as the Maiden City Festival is celebration of the Relief of Derry, a slap–up swaree and swallee seems entirely appropriate. Be piped to the Relief supper that sees rats and tallow off the menu and a three–course meal of traditional Ulster fayre. Listen to the traditional Ulster sounds during the supper, and then enjoy a great show of comedy and song with cabaret from one of the UK's best known entertainment groups, The Barron Knights.

There are a limited number of places for this evening, so book your sitting soon as you can.

We finish off the week with more entertainment from the musicians and storytellers from Tongues, Tones and Tapping. The line–up promises to kick–start the weekend with tunes, banter and a song or two. Richard Campbell will be at the heart of it all with his percussion set featuring the Lambeg drum.

There is no better for the eve of a Festival week that celebrates the Relief of Derry than to cruise down the Foyle and to return at dusk on the very waters that carried Captain Browning and the Mountjoy through the boom. The story is told as we near the lights of the City. Entertainment is provided by the Maiden City Duo, Norman and Billy. The event starts with a bar–b–que on the quayside before departing down the Foyle at 7.00pm. There are only 120 places on the cruise boat and there is no doubt that tickets will sell quickly for this exceptional event.

The Crimson Players' Pageant is a central feature of the Festival and the move to Carlisle Roundabout last year provided the perfect start point for the main parade that celebrates the Relief of Derry. The Pageant provides context and place to the historic events of 1688–89. It also provides an outstanding piece of street theatre that is a main feature of the Festival. Fireworks on the Foyle herald the main parade of the Apprentice Boys of Derry as it crosses the Craigavon Bridge and highlights the theme of the Festival week and this special day for Protestants as we celebrate the Relief of Derry and celebrate too the Civil and Religious Liberty that underpins our celebration of diversity.