Festival Events

Apprentice Boys Museum & Exhibition

Memorial Hall Museum open until the end of October

Apprentice Boys Association Exhibition for the duration of the Festival, 6th, 8th-12th August.

The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and Museum is open throughout the summer, 10am-5pm, daily, Monday to Friday, and Saturday by arrangement by contacting 077 1327 3011. Organised group tours are also available by contacting 077 1327 3011. All are welcome. The Memorial Hall provides a unique opportunity for anyone to take a look behind the doors of the Memorial Hall and its various meeting rooms. There is a permanent Museum space within the Memorial Hall, including a video presentation explaining the foundation and significant aspects of the Apprentice Boys history and Association.

For the Festival Week there is FREE ADMISSION to the Hall. At other times there is a small charge of £2 per person. All are welcome.

The Guns of Londonderry

The Memorial Hall Garden Society Street – Saturday 6th, Daily, Monday 8th to Friday 12th: 11.30am and 2.30pm, and by request. The Memorial Hall Garden, Society Street

Each day Norman & William will provide a period guide to the cannon and guns of the Siege of Derry. Norman will talk you through the history of the Seventeenth Century armaments used in the Siege of the City 1688-1689, explaining the cannon you will see as you walk around the historic Walls on the Siege Heroes Trail. In the Memorial Garden that lies alongside the Memorial Hall both Norman and William will demonstrate the period muskets and replica cannon that are used as part of the Crimson Players's Pageant* re-enactment of the Siege of Derry.

If you want to book a group for this FREE talk/walk on the Guns of Londonderry, contact the Festival Office. See booking form for details.

*This year's Pageant takes place at Carlisle Roundabout (end of Craigavon Bridge): Saturday 13th, 12noon, prior to the 322nd Commemoration of the Relief of Londonderry in 1689.

FREE talk/walk

The Old Fountain Tour

Daily, Monday 8th to Friday 12th 11am -
starting at the Thiepval Gallery, George Street.

Presented by: the Bob Harte Memorial Trust – telling the social history of the Fountain. Local historian William Temple talks a walk down memory lanes and streets of the old Fountain, pointing out how it would have been in past times. Long gone, but not forgotten, the locations of places such as the Synagogue and Well are noted along the way. This is a short three quarters of an hour tour, but a hugely fascinating insight into the Fountain's history.

No charge for this event, but a small minimum donation of £1 to the Bob Harte Memorial Trust would be very much appreciated.

Highland Dance & Skirl of the Pipes

Grand Parade - Daily Monday 8th
Friday 12th 11.30pm, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm & 3.30pm

A performance of highland dancing, piping and drumming
presented by the Sollus Centre, Bready.

Good Afternoon at the Mem

Monday 8th - Thursday 11th – 2.30pm-4.30pm -
Tea Dance at the Memorial Hall, Minor Hall

• Monday 8th – music by John Trotter & Friends
• Tuesday 9th – music by Danny Feeney
• Wednesday 10th – music by John Trotter & Friends
• Thursday 11th – music by Danny Feeney

Twist and shout of the 1960s has moved on to a more relaxed Tea Dance in the Memorial Hall Minor Hall. This is a chance for the 1960s generation to return to the Memorial Hall for an afternoon of dance, chat and a little reminiscence. While over at The MEM, perhaps you'd take some time to attend some of the other events around the Walls and make a wee tour of it. Enjoy.

FREE EVENT

Siege Story...

Saturday 6th, Daily, Monday 8th to Friday 12th:
12noon, 2pm and 4pm. - St Columb's Cathedral

The story begins at the door of the Cathedral as an excited young apprentice SPIKE tells of having just shut the gates on the advancing troops... The Siege Story is a series of five monologues that each explore different aspects of the Siege Story 1688-1689. The story is of the young apprentice, of the military man, of the people, of the church, and of life and love in war. We are keeping the story entirely within St Columb's Cathedral, which played a key role in the Siege and within which the visitor will find many items that date from this period. The performance starts at the main entrance door of the Cathedral, moves through the Cathedral and lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Visit the Maiden City Festival Siege Story Project Website Here

...& Siege Tales

Saturday 6th, Daily, Monday 8th to Friday 12th:
Regular performance throughout the day - Around the Walls

The Siege Story in the Cathedral tells the story of the historic Siege 1688-1689 from the Shutting of the Gates to the Relief of Londonderry. There are lots more stories to tell, and this year we introduce a series of Siege Tales from more characters, real and imagined, from the Siege period.

They will regularly tell their stories from 11am to 4pm around the Walls, from the Memorial Hall to the Cathedral:

The Grocer's Wife: at the Memorial Hall
The Gravedigger: at the gate of St Augustine's Church Graveyard
The Fat Man: at Walker's Plinth, Grand Parade
The Jacobean Officer: on Grand Parade
Governor Lundy: on the Steps over Bishop's Gate
The Artillery Man's Wife: at the Sentinel House (Guard House) on the Walls
Morrison the Defender: by the cannon on Church Bastion.

Visit the Maiden City Festival Siege Tales Project Website Here

Walled City Music Festival 2011

29th July - 7th August 2011

The Walled City Music Festival takes place in the distinct and historical city of Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The city, being one of the few walled cities left in the world, will be a truly unique experience for the musicians and visitors attending the music festival.

The Festival features world renowned classical musicians creating a brighter future for the new generations both in the city and in Northern Ireland. It is our goal to inspire the youth and communities from all backgrounds; through hearing renowned musicians in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, also providing free activities they can participate in and the opportunity to work with these Artists. The Festival will place Derry-Londonderry on the international map for an annual classical music event of the highest level.

The festival will consist of evening concerts given by high profile International Musicians, free daily masterclasses, group workshops, interviews, and opportunities to meet the Artists.

Festival Artists:

• Friday, July 29th Jonathan Lemalu & Michael Hampton.
• Saturday, July 30t Kronos Quartet.
• Sunday, July 31st Gould Piano Trio.
• Thursday, August 4th Contemporary Music from Northern Ireland/Ireland.
• Friday, August 5th Houston Winds.
• Saturday, August 6th Ye-Eun Choi & Cathal Breslin.
• Sunday, August 7th Sir James Galway & Lady Jeanne Galway, with Michael McHale.

Visit the Walled City Music Festival Website Here