Derry

The Town I Love So Well…

Derry (Irish: Doire or Doire Cholm Chille, meaning 'Oak Grove of Colm Cille' or 'of Saint Columcille'), often referred to as the "Maiden City" or "Walled City", is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland (and the fourth-largest in Ireland) with a population of about 100,000. It was the site of the tragic "Bloody Sunday" in 1972, where 14 unarmed people were shot and killed by soldiers of the British Parachute Regiment during a civil rights demonstration, and 13 others were injured. Today, Derry is a very hospitable and safe city, attractive to residents and tourists alike, and well worth a visit. Gone are the days when Derry was marked by checkpoints and police stations, and considered a "troubled province."

Derry, for instance, has the last fully intact city wall The Derry Walls in Ireland, among the best-preserved fortifications in Europe. It takes about forty-five minutes (2 km) to walk around the historic city centre enclosed by the wall. All streets converge at the main square "The Diamond".

The "Craft Village" is also a must-visit. It resembles a medieval village in the middle of the city. Moreover, Derry is one of the most historically significant cities in Ireland. This can be explored through cutting-edge technology at the newly built "Tower Museum" in 2006.

The People’s Gallery

The real attractions of Derry's more recent history are located in the Bogside neighbourhood (Irish: Taobh an Bhogaigh). Here, the history of the area during the Northern Ireland conflict can be viewed through the many murals (political wall paintings). One of the most famous and the first mural by the "Bogside Artists"  is undoubtedly the black-and-white "The Petrol Bomber."  Completed in 1994 for the 25th anniversary of the "Battle at the Bogside"  it shows a boy with a gas mask holding a petrol bomb. Clive Limpkin photographed the boy in August 1969 during the "Battle of the Bogside." The tragic story behind it was learned at the "Free Derry Museum". The children wanted to protect themselves from tear gas with World War II gas masks, unaware that they were actually increasing its effect. To learn more about the "Troubles" life during that time and "Bloody Sunday", one should definitely visit the"Free Derry Museum"  in Glenfada Park. Today, the Bogside is a symbol of the struggle for freedom and independence in Northern Ireland and an important part of Derry's history and culture.

At the end of June 2011, the symbolic "Peace Bridge" was inaugurated, connecting the predominantly Catholic part of the city with the Protestant Waterside across the River Foyle. This multimillion-dollar project will probably never be used by many residents of the Catholic working-class area of Bogside, as even 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement, there is still limited contact between the residents of Bog- and Waterside.

The old town centre of Derry

Derry has a very beautiful old town with many pubs and bars. For example, in "Peadar O’Donnells" (where you meet many locals who are easy to talk to…great atmosphere, fantastic ambiance!) and right next door in "Tracy's Bar, you can listen to "live traditional Irish music almost every day. However, it's best enjoyed during the week, as on weekends, especially Saturdays, it's exceptionally busy and you might not fully appreciate the music. During the week, the pubs are less crowded, and you can even sit at the table with the musicians with your pint and enjoy the music up close. Those who prefer rock music will find "The Gweedore Bar", which is part of "Peadar O'Donnell's," or "Masons" very appealing. I also recommend "Sandinos" in Water Street. The ambiance is extraordinary, and you should definitely take the time to closely examine the pictures on the wall and pay attention to the many details. On Fridays and Saturdays, there's usually live music (traditional, jazz to world music), and during the week, some of the city's best DJs play there occasionally.

The north coast of Ireland

Highlights outside Derry – But there is also much to do outside of Derry. The landscape along the Antrim Coast is not only famous for Dunluce Castle, the most picturesque of all Irish castles, the dramatic rocky cliffs, and the quaint little harbour towns and castle ruins, but it is also an experience in itself. The north coast of Ireland is one of the most beautiful coastal landscapes I have ever seen. Actually, the entire landscape of Northern Ireland and Donegal is breathtaking. Many say that here you can find the most beautiful beaches in all of Ireland. A few kilometres northwest and you are in County Donegal, the northernmost county of Ireland. Here, for example, at Slieve League, you can marvel at the highest cliffs in Europe (up to 600 m high), or relax on miles of sandy beaches. At the tip of the Inishowen Peninsula lies "Malin Head", the northernmost point of the Republic of Ireland. Here, in front of the remains of the Irish Defence Forces' lookout tower, you can see the word “ÉIRE” laid out in huge stone letters. This signalled to German planes in World War II that they were now flying over neutral territory.

Travelling to and Staying in Derry

Arriving

Accommodations

I had an unforgettable time when I first got the chance to live in Derry. I'm grateful to have experienced it all not just as a tourist. Thanks to my host family, I was able to get to know everyday life and the culture up close. The people in the “Bogside” are very warm and honest. And if you're interested in their history, like I am, you can learn a lot about these people. I met many interesting individuals whose stories and fates are closely tied to the “Troubles” and “Bloody Sunday”. Many have lost family and friends and are marked by that time.
Moira's father, a remarkable man whom I greatly admired, once said to me: “Derry is not everyone’s cup of tea”... meaning "Derry is not for everyone," or in other words, “Not everyone can handle Derry””. I can definitely say that this city fascinates me. It feels like coming home every time. “The Town I love so well!” ♥