etraveladmin Londonderry, located in County Derry, seemed to be a quick stopover on our Irish road trip as we were on our way to places like the Causeway Coastal Route or Belfast. But after a visit this summer, we realised that we had never given this underappreciated Irish city the attention it deserved.
The Best Things to Do in Derry
Derry is officially known as Londonderry. Derry The term Londonderry is frequently used to cover all bases. If you are British, you will almost certainly use the official name of Londonderry. However, after a lovely day’s drive from Belfast, we arrived at our hotel, The Hotel Maldran Derry, which is right next to the walled city.
1. Explore the Derry City Walls.
The City Walls, which surround the Old City, were built in 1613. A walk along the Derry Walls is a great way to begin your stay in Derry because it provides views of the entire city from all angles. It is a short walk around the walls, which are not to be missed. The still-standing City Walls are one of Europe’s finest examples of walled cities, and Derry is Ireland’s only completely walled city.
It’s a 1.5-kilometer walk around the entire city, with seven gates in total. Take a walk to see the cannons and scenic lookout points.Despite all of the troubles they have seen, the Derry Walls have never been breached. From 1649 to 1689, they were regularly under siege, and during the troubles, they were used as a city divider. Butcher’s Gate, 6 Magazine Street Upper, Londonderry, Ireland, is a great place to start your walk along the Derry Walls.
This Highly Rated Private Walled City Tour takes you on a guided tour of Derry’s history dating back six thousand years. The 1.4-kilometer walk along the walls tells the story of how the walled city came to be, why the name Londonderry is still contested, and about the Siege of Derry, The Apprentice Boys, and other events.
2. The Peace Bridge
From our hotel room, we had a beautiful view of the Peace Bridge spanning the River Foyle and couldn’t wait to get down to the waterfront for a stroll. The Peace Bridge, which opened in 2011, connects the city centre to the old army barracks at Ebrington Square on the Waterside. You can also cycle across the Peace Bridge, which is a busy place at sunset with locals walking home.
There is a lovely River Walk on either side of the river to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and it is only a short walk from the Peace Bridge to the Manor House at St Columb’s Park.
3. The Bloody Sunday Memorial
Bloody Sunday, which occurred on January 30, 1972, was one of the most significant events of the time, when British paratroopers opened fire on protesters. British soldiers killed 14 civilians and injured many more that day. You can pay your respects at a monument dedicated to those who died.
One of the most poignant murals depicts a young schoolgirl who was murdered on that fateful day. Anette McGavigan was 14 years old when she was murdered. She was still dressed in her school uniform, and the items she was gathering for a school project were at her feet. Her assassination was the 100th civilian death in the Troubles.
4. Derry Corner Is Free
The first thing you’ll notice as you enter the Bogside Area is a mural that says, “You are now entering Free Derr.” This is the Free Derry intersection. From 1969 to 1972, this area was a self-proclaimed autonomous region that operated independently of the government. It played host to the Battle of Bogside and Bloody Sunday. While the troubles have subsided, the murals and walls remain.
Many monuments depicting Derry’s turbulent history can be found along Lecky Road. There are photographs of activists who were shot that show how they had no way of surviving and how the police left them to suffer with their wounds until they died.
5. Guildhall
Make sure to enter Guildhall. We almost didn’t go because there was a private event on the day we arrived. Fortunately, we returned the next day and went upstairs because it is lovely. Not only that, but the Bloody Sunday hearings were held upstairs on the second floor.
I expected to walk through the hall and take photos of its rooms, but it wasn’t until I got there that I discovered it was where testimony was heard for four years, from 2000 to 2004. I watched the videos of the hearings from so many years ago. While the military was found to be at fault, no one has been officially held accountable, and the victims’ families have yet to see justice.
6. Museum of the Siege
The Siege Museum depicts the Siege of Derry in 1689. The siege lasted 105 days, but they were able to hold out against the Jacobites, who backed the deposed King James II. Your ticket includes admission to the Siege Museum. Attractions in Londonderry Pass.
7. Locations for Derry Girls Filming
Derry Girls is a popular TV show about growing up in Derry during the final years of The Troubles in the 1990s. It’s gotten more attention since the premiere of Bridgerton (at least, that’s how it caught our attention) because it stars Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington.
While the majority of the show is shot in Belfast, exterior scenes are shot in Derry, and all of the locations mentioned are, of course, in Derry. A walking tour of Derry will take you to places like Bishop’s Gate, Long Tower Church, and Dennis Wee Shop. Don’t miss the Derry Girls Mural; they even have their own mural in the city of Derry.
The Derry Girls Tour takes visitors to some of the show’s most iconic filming locations, including Bishop’s Gate, Long Tower Church, Dennis Wee Shop, and the Derry Girls mural on the side of Badger’s Bar.
8. The Tower Museum
The Tower Museum, which is located within the Derry City Walls, should not be missed. That is, you cannot possibly miss it. The Story of Derry and An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera are two permanent exhibits at the museum. In 1588, the Spanish ship sank off the coast of Donegal.
On the fifth floor of the Tower Museum is the city’s only open-air viewing platform. The Londonderry Attractions Pass includes admission to the Tower Museum.
9. Village of Crafts
This charming alleyway leads to Village Square in Derry’s city centre and is lined with gift and craft shops. The village square is shaded and a great place to grab a seat and a pint. In the village, there is an unmissable thatched cottage that is very picturesque and ideal for your Instagram moments.
10. The St. Columba’s Park
St Columb’s Park, located just across the Peace Bridge from the Old City on the right bank of the River Foyle, is a great place to relax or have a picnic. It is possible to cycle or walk there to see St Columb’s Park House, an 18th century manor house with a walled garden.A cafe, pathways, and even a running track are available. Ness Country Park is another peaceful park just outside of Derry Londonderry. The Ness Country Park is 55 hectares of parkland where you can go on riverside walks and hike to a waterfall.
