The Murray Parent Club was founded in 1847 and takes its name from Colonel Adam Murray, arguably one of the most important figures during the Siege.
We welcome new members who wish to belong to a small progressive Club that represents a significant part of Londonderry’s rich heritage. The Club meets monthly in the Apprentice Boys’ Memorial Hall, Society Street, Londonderry, within the historic Walls.
Back in 1847 the first rule adopted by the Murray Club stated: “that we establish a Club, to be called the Murray Club of Apprentice Boys, to assist in celebrating those glorious events connected with our City.”
This rule was adapted some years later to read:
“That this Club be called ‘The Murray Club’ of Apprentice Boys, whose chief object shall be to assist in celebrating those glorious and immortal events connected with our city”.
The Murray Club had representation on what was at that time described as the Grand Club, which in 1856 became the General Committee (sometimes referred to in this early period as the Governance Committee) which remains at the core of today’s Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry (the Association).
The Club is one of the oldest of the eight Parent Clubs within today’s Association.
Appropriately, named after a character synonymous sallying forth into action, the Murray Club was the first to establish an Apprentice Boys’ Club in Scotland, the first in England, the first in Canada and in 2019 established the first in Australia.
The victory arising out of the Siege of Derry, one of Civil & Religious Liberty, was not one secured by Kings or Generals but of ordinary people of great courage and extraordinary endurance, encapsulated in the story of Murray.
In the book produced to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Club, local historian CD Milligan noted a contemporary report of Col. Adam Murray describing him as “Great Murray”, “noble Murray” and “valiant Murray” and that among those who besieged the City;
“…his name grew so terrible that he alone was thought invincible.”
The history of the Siege, the role of the Associated Clubs in Commemoration, and the heritage of the Murray Club, brings together tradition with a desire to re-present the story for new generations; to remember, in a meaningful and relevant way.