Derry holds an impressive 1,500 years of Irish history within its walls, but has even more natural history and beauty beyond them, discovers
From the city walls that surround it, to the army barracks across the River Foyle, there are poignant reminders of Northern Ireland’s history scattered across Derry of some landmark moments in time for its community. But Derry locals have no shame in their past.
The Irish are known to be approachable, but the people of Derry put a whole new meaning to friendly. Everyone bursts with pride for what their city has achieved in the last few decades, reclaiming their history to put Derry back on the map.
The city’s growth has skyrocketed in recent years, being named the UN’s International City of Peace 2023 and the UK’s first City of Culture in 2013 – and with endless regeneration projects bringing the community together, it comes as no surprise that this place has become a hotspot for lovers of history and Irish charm.
With 1,500 years of history across the city, a walking tour is probably the best way to go about catching everything there is to see, all while learning some hard-hitting facts as you go. While there, you must find the chance to walk the 400-year-old city walls, and look across Bogside where the iconic gable-wall murals dot the neighbourhood below.
The Guildhall is the city’s stunning Neo-Gothic architectural landmark, but I’d argue is a must-see for other reasons. It is the only place in the world to view the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize, the 1999 Martin Luther King Jnr Non-Violent Prize, and the 2001 Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize all under one roof – now talk about being the City of Peace!
If you have an hour to spare or need a break from pacing the streets, the perfect place to stop off must
