Summary
Derry, a city steeped in history, has a complex identity reflected in its name. Officially recognized as Londonderry, the city is more commonly referred to as Derry, especially among the Republican communities. The tumultuous past of Derry includes significant events such as the Siege of 1689, which tested its 1.6-kilometre wall system.
Today, those walls stand resilient and well-preserved, embodying the city’s historical significance. Once a divided city, Derry witnessed the emergence of the civil rights movement against a backdrop of discrimination faced by its Catholic community. The tragic events of Bloody Sunday in 1972 mark an ongoing process of healing.
Let us examine the top attractions in Derry:
1. Walls of Derry
As Ireland’s first planned city, Derry commissioned the construction of diamond-shaped defensive walls in the 1610s to safeguard its newly-arrived English and Scottish settlers. Notably, the Walls of Derry have never been breached, enduring a 105-day siege in 1689 during the Williamite War.
This exemplary walled city was the last in Europe to have defenses erected. Spanning 1.6 kilometres, visitors can walk along the ramparts, taking in views of the surrounding countryside, and observe the Inner City with its Renaissance layout.
Among the armaments, 24 cannons traceable to their foundries are positioned along the walls, including the famed “Roaring Meg,” recently restored.
2. Guildhall
Constructed in 1890, the Guildhall was commissioned by the Honourable Irish Society and reflects neo-Gothic and Tudor Revival architectural styles. This notable red sandstone building houses the Derry and Strabane District Council, distinguished by its traceried windows and clock tower.
The Guildhall hosted the initial phases of the Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday in the early 2000s and serves as both a cultural venue and a tourist attraction. Visitors can admire the stained glass, including a panel commemorating Bloody Sunday, and view exhibitions illustrating the city’s history from the 17th-century Plantation of Ulster onwards.
3. Bogside Murals
The Bogside Murals, consisting of 12 large paintings in the Bogside neighborhood, serve as poignant reminders of Derry and Northern Ireland’s challenging recent history. This area was the site of Bloody Sunday, and in 1993, two brothers and their friend collaborated to create these artworks, advocating for civil rights and envisioning a peaceful future.
Together, the murals are known as the People’s Gallery, illustrating events such as the Battle of the Bogside in 1969, the 14 victims of Bloody Sunday, Operation Motorman in 1972, and a dove of peace. Guided tours of the Bogside provide additional context for these significant works.
4. St Columb’s Cathedral
St Columb’s Cathedral, built in the early 1630s, showcases a Northern Irish architectural style known as Planter Gothic. It stands as the oldest existing monument in Derry, featuring a nave and tower from the earliest construction phase, while additions such as the chancel, spire, and chapter house were completed in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The porch contains a foundation stone from the earlier Big Church, dating back to the 1100s, which was demolished to construct Derry’s ramparts. Visitors can view portraits of William of Orange, Derry’s city keys, and artifacts from the siege of 1689 within the cathedral.
5. Tower Museum
Situated within an historic tower in Derry’s City Walls, the Tower Museum provides an in-depth exploration of the city’s history. The award-winning exhibition spans from prehistory to the 1960s, including a separate gallery featuring artifacts from the La Trinidad Valencera, a ship from the Spanish Armada wrecked off the Donegal coast in 1588.
The museum also offers insight into the tumultuous events of the latter half of the 20th century, specifically addressing the Troubles. From Level 5, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Derry’s Inner City and the River Foyle.
6. Peace Bridge
Constructed in the 21st century, the Peace Bridge signifies a remarkable landmark in Derry, spanning the Foyle River between Ebrington Square and the city center. This structure symbolizes unity, physically connecting the primarily Unionist and Nationalist communities of Waterside and Cityside.
Completed in 2011, the serpentine pedestrian bridge measures 235 meters in length and was designed through a collaboration between AECOM and Wilkinson Eyre Architects, who also created the renowned Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The Peace Bridge has become an integral part of Derry’s cultural landscape.
7. Free Derry Museum
The Free Derry Museum, which opened in 2006, encapsulates the city’s tumultuous period from the 1960s to the 1990s. This museum provides comprehensive insights into the Battle of the Bogside, Bloody Sunday, and Operation Motorman, featuring more than 25,000 artifacts including letters, posters, photographs, and archive footage.
Examining oppression faced by the local working-class community, the museum fosters an understanding of the internment that heightened tensions. The museum conveys a message of reconciliation, promoting the idea of Free Derry as a universal pursuit for civil rights and equality.
8. Free Derry Corner
Located in the Bogside neighborhood, the Free Derry Corner monument is situated at the junction of Rossville Street, Lecky Road, and Fahan Street. The iconic message, “You Are Now Entering Free Derry,” was originally painted in 1969 by a local activist, signifying the entrance to a self-declared autonomous Nationalist enclave during the early stages of the Troubles.
Initially part of a row of terrace houses, only one wall remains in the central reservation of Lecky Road, now a dual carriageway. Adjacent to this wall, a memorial honors those who perished in the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike, alongside a monument celebrating the members of the IRA’s Derry Brigade who lost their lives in the conflict.
9. St Columb’s Park
St Columb’s Park, located on the right bank of the River Foyle, was formerly a noble estate acquired for the residents of Derry by the Londonderry Corporation in 1845. The park, nestled within a riverbend, offers a tranquil environment for leisurely strolls and summer picnics, easily accessible via a river walk that crosses the Peace Bridge.
The 18th-century manor house, known as St Columb’s Park House, now serves as accommodation and a conference center, complete with a café on the ground floor.
10. Siege Museum
The Siege Museum, which opened in 2016, is an extension of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Memorial Hall, featuring exhibitions dedicated to the 1688 Siege of Derry. This venue showcases artifacts and firsthand accounts from the siege, complemented by information about archaeological findings that have uncovered tools, ceramics, and weaponry.
Visitors can learn about the history of the associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, with guided tours available to explore their meeting room, alongside that of the Orange Order, Women’s Orange, and the Royal Black Institution.
11. St Eugene’s Cathedral
As the seat of Derry’s Roman Catholic Diocese, St Eugene’s Cathedral was constructed in the Gothic Revival style during the latter half of the 19th century. Its prominent tower can be seen in the northwest of the city, adjacent to Brooke Park amid clusters of Georgian houses.
Designed by architect James Joseph McCarthy, the cathedral’s funding originated from both Derry and Ireland, as well as contributions from America. The bell-tower features a statue of St Eugene from 1873, while the sanctuary floor is crafted from Sardinian granite, with the altar made of Carrara marble.
12. Ness Country Park
Derry is a compact city, where nature is only a brief journey away. A lovely location for an outing is Ness Country Park, encompassing 55 hectares of woodlands and meadows alongside the Banks of the Burntollet River. Visitors can traverse seven kilometers of forest and river pathways, leading to the enchanting Ness Waterfall and a series of rapids.
If there is an optimal time to visit, it would be early spring when bluebells and wood anemones transform the forest floor into a vibrant tapestry of color.
13. Craft Village
In the historic core of Derry, a charming street and square from the 18th and 19th centuries have reclaimed their former allure. This small district merits exploration for its artisan craft shops, cafes, and restaurants. Here, visitors will find delightful Georgian houses, staircases, gas lamps, and wrought-iron footbridges alongside an assortment of businesses within a short walk.
These establishments specialize in various goods, including Irish dancing costumes, crafted glassware, knitwear, candles, and more. The centerpiece of this area is the Canopy, a large iron and glass structure that provides shelter for outdoor performances.
14. Derry-Coleraine Railway
The 50-kilometre railway journey to Coleraine has garnered acclaim from travel writer Michael Palin, who described it as among the most beautiful in the world. This assertion holds merit as the railway winds through a verdant landscape filled with dry-stone walls and imposing basalt hills, eventually reaching the shores of the expansive Benone Strand.
Soon after departing, travelers will encounter Castlerock, home to a station that dates back to 1873, followed by passage through Ireland’s two longest railway tunnels, constructed in the 1850s. Upon arriving in Coleraine, visitors will have immediate access to the scenic Causeway Coast, renowned for the world-famous UNESCO site and several filming locations from the Game of Thrones series.
15. Prehen House
Located a few miles upstream from Derry’s center, Prehen House is an Irish Georgian country residence erected in 1740 for Andrew Knox, MP for Donegal. This historic house is intertwined with the story of Mary Ann Knox, who was accidentally killed during an abduction attempt by landowner John MacNaghten, who was subsequently hanged for the crime. Notably, his execution required two attempts as he broke the rope during the first.
Although Prehen House remains privately owned, it opens for tours that provide insights into this historical narrative while allowing visitors to enjoy splendid views of Derry and the Foyle River.
