Celebrations have got underway in Derry to mark the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 2016.
Around 50 members of the Apprentice Boys paraded from their headquarters in Society Street for a wreath-laying ceremony at 7.28am this morning, exactly 100 years from the time British soldiers left their trenches for the bloodiest battle in history.
The 36th Ulster Division suffered some 5,500 casualties on the opening day of the battle on 1 July, 1916, with some 3,500 Irish soldiers from both sides of the community losing their lives in total.
At 6.40pm, the Hamilton Flute Band will lead a parade through the city centre.
The parade will leave Horace Street and make its way along Carlisle Road and Ferryquay Street to The Diamond for a wreath-laying ceremony.
It will then make its way along, Bishop Street and London Street to a church service in St Columb’’s Cathedral.
Following the service, the parade will return via London Street and Hawkin Street to Horace Streeet, where it is expected to arrive at 8.45pm.
In the Waterside area of the city, the local No 5 Orange Lodge will host a parade, beginning at 9pm.
It will leave Dennet Gardens and make its way to a service in Glendermott Parish Church via Dungiven Road, Altnagelvin Roundabout, Glenshane Road, Belt Road and Church Brae.
Meanwhile, the Holywell Trust, in partnership with The Junction’s Ethical & Shared Remembering project, host an event examining the impact of the battle on the centenary of the first day of the battle.
At the event, which will run from 11.00am to 2.00pm at the DiverseCity Community Partnership’s building in Bishop Street, attendees will hear from two influential speakers - Rev. Dr. Johnston McMaster and Trevor Temple.
Tonight, beams of light will be shone across the city from 11.00pm to 12.30am..
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