Looking for issues to do in Derry? We have you ever lined. We have visited the town of Derry twice earlier than, and eventually had the prospect to actually dig into exploring Londonderry on our newest journey to Northern Ireland this previous summer time.
Located in County Derry, Londonderry at all times appeared to be a fast stopover on our Irish highway journey as we had been on our approach to discover locations just like the Causeway Coastal route or Belfast. But after a keep this previous summer time we realized that we by no means gave this underrated Irish metropolis the time that it deserved.
Top Things to do in Derry
Officially, the town of Derry is called Londonderry. Derry Londonderry is usually used to cowl all bases. If you might be British you almost certainly will use the official title of Londonderry. However,
After a wonderful day’s drive from Belfast, we arrived at our resort The Hotel Maldran Derry which is positioned instantly beside the walled metropolis.
This was one in every of our favourite locations we stayed in all of Ireland with an ideal view of the Peace Bridge and River Foyle. We had been inside strolling distance to all the primary points of interest in the town of Derry, so after parking our automobile, we set out on foot to discover Derry.
The London Derry Attraction Pass is a superb move to buy in advance of visiting Derry. It affords entry to 10 derry points of interest letting you see one of the best the town of Derry has to provide. The move contains entrance to the Saint Columba Heritage Centre, Siege Museum, St Augustine’s Church, St Columb’s Cathedral, St Eugene’s Cathedral, The Guildhall, The Museum of Free Derry, and the Tower Museum plus a Bogside History Tour, or a Martin McCrossan City Walking Tour. See extra particulars right here.
1. Walk The Derry Walls
The City Walls date again to 1613 and encompass the Old City. A stroll alongside the Walls of Derry is an effective way to begin your keep in Derry because it affords views of the complete metropolis from all angles. It is a simple stroll across the partitions and they don’t seem to be to be missed. The nonetheless intact City Walls are one of many most interesting examples of Walled Cities in all of Europe and Derry is the one fully walled metropolis in Ireland.
It is 1.5 km stroll throughout the complete inside metropolis with seven gates in whole. Take a stroll to see the cannons and exquisite lookout factors. The Walls of Derry have by no means been breached which is astounding with the entire troubles they’ve seen. They had been often below siege from 1649 – 1689, and through the troubles, they had been used as a divider in the town. An awesome place to begin you stroll on the Derry Walls is at Butcher’s Gate, 6 Magazine Street Upper, Londonderry, Ireland.
This Highly Rated Private Walled City Tour takes you on a guided tour relationship again six thousand years by Derry’s previous. The 1.4 km stroll goes alongside the partitions the place you’ll hear tales of how the walled metropolis got here to be, why the title Londonderry continues to be contested and also you’ll be taught concerning the Siege of Derry, The Apprentice Boys and extra.
2. Peace Bridge
We had a wonderful view of the Peace Bridge spanning the River Foyle from our resort room and couldn’t wait to get down to the waterfront to go for a stroll. Opened in 2011, the Peace Bridge is a pedestrian hyperlink between the town centre to the outdated military barracks at Ebrington Square on the Waterside. You can cycle throughout the Peace Bridge as nicely and through sundown, it’s a bustling place with locals strolling dwelling.
On both aspect of the river, there’s a beautiful River Walk to get away from the hustle and bustle of the town and it’s only a quick stroll to the Manor House at St Columb’s Park from the Peace Bridge.
3. Bogside Murals
The People’s Gallery in Bogside is certainly one of many prime issues to do in Derry. A stroll by the Bogside space takes you on a visible journey recounting the conflicts and injustices that befell through the troubles. Today, there are additionally murals of social injustices around the globe.
Located by Free Derry Corner outdoors the walled metropolis, the Bogside artists encompass brothers Thomas and William Kelly and their pal Kevin Hanson who spent a decade portray murals on partitions of buildings in the Bogside space. The murals depict vital moments from the civil unrest that befell throughout six counties in Northern Ireland for greater than 30 years.
They not solely pay tribute to the folks of Derry City however different human rights activists like Nelson Mandella, Martin Luther King Jr, and Mother Theresa. It is a sobering show of simply how tough the instances had been with work depicting the horrors of battle. The Derry Murals Tour provides a great overview on a guided tour sharing what the murals are about and the historical past of Derry.
4. Bloody Sunday Monument
One of probably the most vital occasions of the time was Bloody Sunday which befell on January 30, 1972, when British paratroopers opened fireplace on protesters. 14 civilians had been killed that day by British Soldiers and extra had been injured. There is a monument devoted to those that died the place you’ll be able to pay your respects.
One of probably the most vital murals depicts a younger schoolgirl who was killed on that day. Anette McGavigan was solely 14 years outdated when she was gunned down. She was nonetheless in her faculty uniform and the objects that she was accumulating for a college challenge are at her ft. Her killing marked the one hundredth civilian dying in The Troubles.
We extremely advocate taking a Bloody Sunday Bogside Tour to be taught of the fashionable historical past of Derry. There has been numerous unrest and battle from the separation of Ireland to the Battle of the Bogside, The Bloody Sunday bloodbath and the Civil Rights interval. A tour provides perception to Derry’s historical past and the way issues are immediately.
5. Free Derry Corner
As you enter the Bogside Area, the very first thing you will note is the mural stating, you at the moment are coming into Free Derr. This is Free Derry nook. From 1969 to 1972, this space was a self-declared autonomous area that acted outdoors the federal government. It was the situation for the Battle of Bogside and Bloody Sunday. While the troubles have settled, the partitions and murals stay.
As you stroll alongside Lecky Road you’ll come throughout many monuments depicting Derry’s turbulent historical past. There are pictures of activists that had been shot exhibiting how they’d no approach to survive and the way they had been left by the police to endure with their wounds till their dying. There is a monument devoted to the starvation strike victims who died in jail. The Irish Republican Prisoners had been protesting the truth that the British authorities struck down the provisionary standing that they weren’t prisoners of battle however criminals.
6. Hunger Strike Monument
One starvation striker was elected throughout his 66 days. Bobby Sands ultimately died of hunger together with 9 different protestors. To learn the tales and see the pictures from these instances is actually astounding. We had heard little or no about it in Canada on the time however to go to the memorials in Derry places faces to those that suffered. Their tales are informed and they are going to be remembered. I
We discovered that we might spend hours on the memorials and murals of Derry. As we learn every memorial, we mirrored on the instances we live in immediately and see that the human race has this uncontrollable sample of repeating its cycle of hate and violence. I solely hope that in the future we’ll discover our approach.
7. Free Derry Museum
Once you may have seen the murals of Bogside, The Free Derry Museum is an effective place to make your approach to subsequent. The Museum opened in 2007 and focuses on the civil rights period of the Sixties and the Free Derry troubles of the Seventies. Located in the world the place the Battle of the Bogside, Internment, Bloody Sunday, and Operation Motorman befell. The Free Derry museum tells the story from the standpoint of those that had been there and lived by troubling instances. Entry to the Free Derry Museum is included in a Londonderry Attraction Pass
8. Guildhall
Make positive to go inside Guildhall. We practically didn’t as there was a non-public occasion the day we arrived. Luckily, we went again the following day and went upstairs as it’s lovely. But not solely that, upstairs on the second flooring is the place the Bloody Sunday hearings befell.
I anticipated to stroll by the corridor and snap a couple of pictures of its rooms however it was whereas there that I discovered this was the place testimony was heard for 4 years from 2000 – 2004. I watched the movies of the hearings that befell so a few years later. While the army was discovered to be at fault, no person has been formally held accountable and to today, the sufferer’s households haven’t seen justice.
Guildhall stands on Guildhall Square which is a beautiful sq. in simply outdoors the walled metropolis. There is a beautiful view wanting down from the Derry Walls,
9. Siege Museum
We might know lots concerning the IRA troubles between the Catholics and Protestants in Derry, however this metropolis has had an extended historical past of battle and violence. The Siege Museum tells the story of the Siege of Derry in 1689. The siege lasted 105 days however they held their floor in opposition to the Jacobites who supported the deposed King James II. Entrance to the Siege Museum is included together with your Londonderry Attraction Pass
10. Derry Girls Filming Locations
Derry Girls is a well-liked TV present about rising up in Derry in the Nineteen Nineties which had been the ultimate years of The Troubles. It has gotten extra consideration because the premier of Bridgerton (a minimum of that’s the way it caught our eye) because it stars Nicola Coughlan who performs Penelope Featherington.
While many of the present is filmed in Belfast, exterior scenes are shot in Derry and naturally, the entire areas referenced are positioned in Derry. You can take a strolling tour of Derry to see such locations like Bishop’s Gate, Long Tower Church, and Dennis Wee Shop. Don’t miss the Derry Girls Mural, they even have their very own mural in Derry metropolis.
The Derry Girls Tour to among the present’s most iconic filming areas, similar to Bishop’s Gate, Long Tower Church, Dennis Wee Shop, and the Derry Girls mural positioned on the aspect of Badger’s Bar.
11. Tower Museum
Located inside the Derry City Walls, the Tower Museum can’t be missed. Meaning, that you simply actually can’t miss it. The museum has two everlasting displays, The Story of Derry and An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera. The Spanish ship sank off the Donegal Coast in 1588.
The Tower Museum additionally has the one open-air viewing platform in the town positioned on the fifth flooring. Entry to the Tower Museum is included in the Londonderry Attractions Pass
12. St Columb’s Cathedral
No tour of an Irish metropolis can be full with out mentioning its cathedrals. We sauntered into the grounds of St Columb’s Cathedral and when inside discovered a pleasing shock. Volunteers welcomed us with open arms and informed us the story of the cathedral declaring fascinating items inside. It was the friendliest cathedral we’ve ever stepped foot in.
It is a should-see because it was the primary protestant church constructed in Britain or Ireland following the reformation. It is one in every of Derry’s oldest buildings relationship again to 1633 which is saying lots because it survived the Siege of Derry and The Troubles.
13. St Eugene’s Cathedral
We didn’t go inside St Eugene’s Cathedral, however we noticed it at each flip from the town partitions. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral relationship again to 1873.
14. Craft Village
We had the toughest time discovering the Craft Village and it was positioned simply down the road from our resort. But it’s so nicely hidden. We lastly had to ask somebody the place to sneak into the unassuming alleyway however as soon as inside we had been so glad we looked for it. When we left from the opposite aspect, we seen it wasn’t hidden in any respect we simply entered from the again.
Anyway, this beautiful alley is stuffed with reward and craft retailers main to Village Square in Derry metropolis centre. The village sq. is roofed and a terrific place to pull up a seat and have a pint. There is an unmissable thatched cottage in the village that could be very picturesque and ideal in your Instagram moments.
15. St Columb’s Park
If you might be on the lookout for a bit greenspace or a spot to have a picnic, St Columb’s Park is positioned simply throughout the Peace Bridge from the Old City on the proper financial institution of the River Foyle. You can cycle or stroll to it to see st Columb’s Park House, an 18th century manor home and a walled backyard. There’s a restaurant, pathways, and even a working observe.
Another tranquil park simply outdoors of Derry Londonderry is Ness Country Park. Ness Country Park conists of 55 hectares of parkland the place you’ll be able to do some riverside walks and a hike to a waterfall.
16. Browns in Town
We ate at Browns in Town and it had a terrific ambiance. It is a classy informal restaurant positioned in the guts of Derry. Prices are affordable and moreover being a wine bar, it has unbelievable cocktails and serves native craft beer.
Walled City Brewery
If you might be on the lookout for one thing distinctive to do in Derry, make your approach to the Walled City Brewery. The Walled City Brewery doesn’t provide excursions, however you’ll be able to get pleasure from an interactive expertise the place you’ll be taught concerning the 9000 12 months olf historical past of brewing. All whereas tasting 10 craft beers which can be paired with snacks. You can e book excursions and tastings on their web site.
When on the lookout for Derry Nightlife, make your approach to Waterloo Street and go pub hopping. It runs alongside the Derry partitions. We strolled from our resort at Butchers Gate and adopted the sound of dwell music down to the river.
Europe’s Biggest Halloween Celebration
Ireland is the place Halloween originated and when visiting Londonderry Ireland throughout Halloween, you’ll be able to rely on the most important Halloween celebration in Europe. When it originated, Halloween was not the celebration it’s now. Instead it was a day that the traditional celts dressed up in animal skins to keep off evil spirits and keep away from being taken away.
In late October get an opportunity to expertise the nation’s largest all hallow’s eve pageant in Derry. The Londonderry Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival affords a spooktacular 4-day celebration over the last week of October yearly. It options parades, bonfires, and naturally, folks of all ages dressed as their favourite ghosts, ghouls, and monsters. Dublin nonetheless celebrates Samhain. Places to Visit For Halloween – Around the World
Where to Stay in Derry
We stayed on the Maldron Hotel proper in the town centre. It had lovely views of the River Foyle and is positioned proper subsequent to the Butchers Gate by the Derry City Walls. There is a health heart with sauna and there may be parking on web site. For parking, be sure that to arrive early as it’s out there on a primary come first serve foundation. There is a parking zone close by if the resort lot is full.
Address Butcher St, Londonderry BT48 6HL, UK
How to Get to Derry
Derry Londonderry is positioned in County Derry and is only a three-hour drive from Dublin and just below two hours from Belfast.
When you go to Derry, likelihood is you’ll come touring from Dublin or Belfast on an Irish Road Trip so you’ll most likely enter county Londonderry by automobile. Derry City does have an airport, The Derry Ireland Airport. Flights arrive from the UK however we drove from Belfast the place we rented a automobile. We have additionally pushed to Derry from Dublin and it is usually a really good scenic drive.
Day Trips from Derry
Derry-Coleraine Railway
The Derry Colerain prepare journey is ofted touted as one of the lovely prepare journeys in the world. The Derry Colerain Railway travels between Derry~Londonderry and Coleraine passing lengthy sandy seashores, mountains, and seacliffs. A spotlight is most definitely the lengthy sandy seaside of Benone Strand. We really crossed below the prepare tracks to stroll alongside this seaside which is taken into account one in every of Ireland’s most lovely and unspoiled seashores.
The journey isn’t lengthy, however throughout it, you’ll move by two of Ireland’s longest tunnels and it ends at Colerain the place you’ll be able to carry in your journey by the Causeway Coast.
Causeway Coast
The Causeway Coast is a spectacular scenic drive with loads of stops together with the Giant’s Causeway, a number of Game of Thrones Filming Locations, The Dark Hedges, Bushmills Distillery and The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This is far more than a day journey and despite the fact that it might probably all be driving in in the future, we advise a minimum of 4 days to discover the Causeway Coast. It may be accomplished on a bus tour should you aren’t prepared to drive on the opposite aspect of the highway.
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
Overlooking Benone Strand is Mussenden Temple. The temple is positioned on the cliffs of Castlerock additionally overlooking Downhill Strand. It is operated by The National Trust and you may tour its grounds together with the manor home. Downhill House was as soon as a grand Italian-inspired villa constructed by the Earl Bishop of Derry. It was devastated by fireplace in the 1800s however there are nonetheless remnants of its grandeur.