Derry

County Derry, which is officially known as Londonderry, is situated on the north-west coast of Ireland, and offers a landscape which is both varied, as well as breathtaking. To the south of the county are the forested glens of the Sperrin Mountains, while to the north and east is the spectacular coastline of Benone Strand, Ireland's longest beach, an 11km (7 mile) stretch of broad sand and surf.

The name Derry is derived from the Irish “Doire” - meaning “Oak Grove”, with the area being a favourite settlement for man since early Celtic and Christian times. Saint Columba founded a monastery here on the banks of the River Foyle in the year 546 AD, and the settlement which sprung up around it has evolved through the centuries to become the vibrant city we see today. Derry is the second largest urbanisation in Northern Ireland, with the city walls amongst the best preserved fortifications in Europe. The layout of the community reflects the original town plan, which was set out several hundred years ago. As a point of interest, in 1609 an agreement was reached with the Corporation of London for the rebuilding of Derry, hence the introduction of the name Londonderry.

Major Visitor Attractions

Derry has some fine architectural masterpieces to be seen across the county, including the Georgian town of Limavady and the folly overlooking Downhill Strand known as the Mussenden Temple, a feature much loved by photographers. Other cultural attractions include Bellaghy Bawn, which features a permanent exhibition of the works of the locally born and Nobel Laureate poet - Seamus Heaney. The Earhart Centre at Ballyarnett commemorates the location where American ace aviator Amelia Earhart (the first woman to fly the Atlantic solo) landed her aircraft in 1932. The first recording of that internationally recognised musical piece known as the “Londonderry Air” was performed in Derry by Jane Ross in 1851. The piece is known today as “Danny Boy” and features to this day in performances across the world, particularly in America, Australia and New Zealand, where the Irish diaspora is very strong.

Meander through the bustling streets of the only completely Walled City in the British Isles and savour nearly 1,500 years of history. Marvel at the ever-changing skyline of a city which readily welcomes visitors.

The county offers a multitude of outdoor activities to enjoy, from challenging golf courses to hill walking and excellent river angling. Roe Valley Country Park near Limavady is a superb place for salmon and trout angling, canoeing, rock climbing and walking through vast areas of magnificent, well preserved woodlands.

Derry shares its western border with nearby Donegal, with which it has had close links down through the centuries. The city itself boasts a rich and varied cultural heritage and the City Walls are home to a number of museums, galleries and theatres. Traditional music and literary scenes flourish here also.

Dominating the skyline on all approaches to the city is the spectacular view of St. Columb’s Cathedral, which stands on its own elevated site inside the famous Walls of Derry. Dedicated to St. Columba (Columb), who established a Christian settlement here in the 6th century, the cathedral is open daily to visitors and is the most historic building in the city, having been built in 1633.

The Tower Museum in Derry tells the story of the city, chronicling its history from the earliest geological formation, through to the present day vibrant cosmopolitan centre it has become.

The neo-Gothic style Guildhall is the civic and cultural centre for the people of the city of Derry. There are numerous concerts, exhibitions and meetings held here throughout the year.

For the young and young at heart, Barrontop Fun Farm provides a unique opportunity for children of all ages to experience feeding and interacting with animals in a real farm environment. Unusual animals include ostriches, emus, pot bellied pigs and deer. A great place to enjoy some family fun.

Covering over 200 hectares (495 acres), Garvagh Forest is situated on the western outskirts of the town of Garvagh, featuring some magnificent trees which are over 80 years old, to those only planted at the turn of the 20th Century.

Portstewart Strand Blue Flag Beach offers 3km (2 miles) of magnificent strand and sand dunes. With a way-marked nature trail, this beach is part of The National Trust and is well worth a visit.

Springhill House and Costume Collection is to be found in this charming 17th century house, which has a rich and fascinating history, and is now run by The National Trust. Guided tour includes the history of the house and its family, the resident ghost and also the first-class and colourful costume collection! Be sure to explore Springhill’s beautiful walled gardens, charming estate walks and relax in the lovely tea-room available.

The Sampson Tower is located in Farlow Wood, which is 1.6km (1mile) west of the town of Limavady, and is an intriguing Gothic-style memorial erected in 1860 to Arthur Sampson.

Derry City Walls are the most visibly striking historic feature of the city of Derry. In fact, it is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. The Walls were built as defences for early 17th century settlers from England and Scotland. The “settlement” was a plan of “Plantation” by King James I, with the building of the city walls financed by the Trade Guilds of the City of London. Construction work, which took five years to complete, commenced in 1613 under the supervision of Sir Edward Doddington of Dungiven. The four original gates: “Shipquay”, “Ferryquay”, “Bishop” and “Butcher” gates have all been rebuilt with three new gates added, namely: “Magazine”, “Castle” and “New Gate”. There are canon mounted along the raised terraces of the Walls, most notably above Shipquay Gate. These were donated by the Guilds of London in 1649. To view these fascinating structures, be sure to avail of the guided tours which are available throughout the year.

The Workhouse Museum and Library - the Workhouse opened in 1840 as a place of refuge for the poor. It closed in that capacity over 100 years later, in 1948, but continued to remain in service as a hospital until 1991. Subsequently, some of the original Workhouse building was saved from demolition and is where the Museum and the Waterside Branch Library are now housed. The Museum itself occupies two floors of the old Workhouse building which is of great historical interest. It is even claimed that several “ghostly residents” are said to haunt the building and surrounding area! The Museum is also used to run various school events and is the base for an initiative called the Living History Programme.

The Harbour Museum is located in Harbour Square, Derry. It is a traditional museum and picture gallery, principally featuring the maritime history of the area. Short term exhibitions are regularly displayed here, so enquire locally for any current events.

The Amelia Earhart Centre is a small interpretative centre, which is located on the outskirts of the city, within the beautiful grounds of Ballyarnett Natural Park. It includes an exhibition detailing local aviation history, with particular reference to Amelia Earhart, who landed on this site in 1932, following her pioneering solo Trans-Atlantic flight. Visits are normally by appointment, so enquire in advance to ensure availability.

The county features a multitude of lovely towns and villages, each with its own distinctive character and presence. Such places as Bellaghy, Castledawson, Castlerock, Claudy, Coleraine, Draperstown, Dungiven, Eglinton, Garvagh, Kilrea, Limavady, Magherafelt and Portstewart will remain long in your memory for having visited same.

Gateway to Ireland's north-west, the city and county of Derry resonates with centuries of heritage and passion, and is also modern and vibrant. With so much to see and do, why not spend some time in the county to discover it for yourself.