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BALLINA CHRONICLE
Ballina, Mayo, Ireland
Wednesday, December 26, 1849

ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHUTTING OF THE GATES OF DERRY.

On Tuesday evening the members of the Wesley Orange Lodge gave a soiree in the Pillar-room of the Rotunda, for the purpose of commemorating the Anniversary of the Shutting of the Gates of Derry. A large number of the members both of that Lodge and of the "John Knox," "The Nassau" and "The Cumberland" Lodges, together with a considerable assemblage of ladies, were present on the occasion-the gentlemen wearing crape bands in respect for the memory of the late Queen Dowager. Shortly before eight o'clock the chair was taken by Mr. Wm. Battersby, Master of Wesley Lodge.

The Rev. Mr. De Butts having pronounced grace, the company were regaled with a plentiful supply of tea and cakes. Thanks having been returned by the Rev. T.D. Gregg.

The Secretary read letters from the Earl of Enniskillen, Messrs. William and Francis Beers, the Rev. Alexander J. Montgomery, the Rev. Dr. Drew, and many others, apologizing for their inability to attend the soiree.

The Chairman stated the object of the meeting. They had assembled together that evening because they were of opinion that great merits were worthy of being often commemorated, and because they were unwilling that the anniversary of such a day as that which the "Printice Boys of Derry" shut their gates, should be allowed to pass over unobserved.- (Cheers.) The Chairmen then proceeded to give the toasts of the evening.
...
The Chairman then gave the toast of the evening. "The Memory of Governor Walker and the "Printice of Boys of Derry." He said that in keeping up the recollection of the glorious year of 1698 they were only discharging their duty as protestants, and he trusted that as long as Protestant feeling existed the remembrance of the memorable events of that year would not be forgotten.--(Cheers.) Air- "The Protestant Boys" 

The toast which was most enthusiastically received was responded to by The Rev. T.D. Gregg, who, in speaking to it entered into a narrative of the progress of Popery in Great Britain, from the reign of Queen Elizabeth up to the present time, with a view to show that the religious and political liberty now enjoyed by the inhabitants of the United Kingdom was altogether due to the triumph of Protestant principles and that all the evils under which Ireland at present suffered were attributed to the prevalence of Popish doctrines. The
reverend gentleman was well received, and was loudly applauded during the delivery of his speech.

SHUTTING OF THE GATES OF DERRY
 

(From the Derry Sentinel)
Derry, 18th December, 6 o'clock p.m.

The anniversary of this glorious event has not passed off without a becoming celebration of the day. At midnight a salute of heavy artillery from the Royal Bastion proclaimed the approach of the commemoration and at early dawn another salute was fired, when the royal standard was hoisted and the banner of the Hon, the Irish Society on the walls. The virgin banner was on the Cathedral and the city flag on the Testimonial, form the summit of which a remarkable fine effigy fo the traitor Lundy was then suspended.

The usual cannonading commenced at 8 o'clock, and was continued for a considerable time. Shortly after 11 o'clock the procession of the Apprentice Boss of Derry Club, and the Juvenile, Walker, and Murry Clubs of Apprentice Boys, with crimson banners, the colours of the Maiden City. The desk service was read by the Rev.. B.B. Gough, Rector of Urney, and the anniversary sermon was preached by the Rev. George Smith, the senior curate of the cathedral. The text was taken from Isaiah, xliv.chap., 28th verse, and the discourse, which was a lengthened one, embraced a recapitulation of God's mercies to the Israelites of old, and the successive tokens of his providence in the affairs of this united empire.

After the sermons the procession left the Cathedral and shortly after proceeded to the walls with their cannon, and observed the customary formula of rejoicing. Lundy was committed to the flames at half-past three o'clock, in the presence of some thousand spectators. The influx of strangers into the city from the surrounding district has been very great, and notwithstanding the guest addition to the ordinary population, this anniversary has passed over like all those which have preceded it - in kindness, good will and perfect peace.