Apprentice Boy's Memorial Hall — Attraction in Northern Ireland

The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall is best known as the headquarters of the Apprentice Boys of Derry but there is much more behind the doors of what is affectionately known as “The Mem”.

As well as the Apprentice Boys meeting rooms there are meeting rooms for both the Orange Order and the Women’s Orange Order and the Royal Black Preceptory.

The Hall is also home to the Society Social Club which organises social events for the members of all the organisations which use the hall. They also organise the “Crimson Balls” after the two main Apprentice Boys Celebrations in December and August.

Two of the finest flute bands in Northern Ireland also call the Hall their home. The Churchill Flute Band, the oldest flute band in the world and the William King Memorial Flute Band both practice every week in the Hall.

The Crimson Players drama group bring the stage in the main hall to life with their pantomimes and variety shows. They are best known recently for providing the period re-enactment of the Relief of Derry at the start of the parade each August.

In 2013 work began on a new museum and exhibition space beside the hall on Society Street. The extension will enable the Association to continue to develop the work in promoting understanding of our history and culture.

The new Siege Museum and Exhibition will be a permanent display of the history of the Siege of Londonderry and of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, including artefacts, video and interactive media.

Visitors will also have the added attraction of being able to view one of the finest collections of meeting rooms used by the 'Loyal Orders'.

There are separate rooms for each...

This lovely building contains an exhibition that explains the Apprentice Boys Clubs, their history and their traditions. It’s a little less forthcoming about their current activities (my question about the Masons was met with a stony silence). You can also visit their meeting rooms, which are strange, formal, court-like rooms.

I strongly recommend you to visit here and talk to the guides; you get some real insights into some of the roots of the Troubles. You really should visit a Nationalist exhibition also,...

As of everyyear my wife and I thourghly enjoyed our time as did my daughter and son in law who were over for the first time at Dec, great staff and great seeing old friends and just brilliant to be back in the home of...