Tour of Derry, Northern Ireland

The Old City Walls are the main tourist attraction in Derry/Londonderry.

Derry is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Ireland. The earliest historical references date to the 6th century when a monastery was founded there by St. Columba or Colmcille.

The English Tudor era saw Derry come under frequent attack as the English Crown tried to take control of the area. It was breached and partially destroyed in 1608, by Cahir O'Doherty, Irish chieftain of Inishowen.

This was a time when Irish chieftains were fighting amongst themselves, normally after some were bought by the English Crown.

After many of the Irish Chieftains, opposed to England, were forced to flee the area, English and Scottish citizens, encouraged by London companies, began arriving in the 1600s as part of the Plantation of Ulster.

They built the city of Londonderry across the River Foyle from the earlier town of Derry, with walls to defend it from Irish rebel attacks.

The aim was to settle Ulster with a majority of the population supportive of the Crown. This Londonderry, was the first planned city in Ireland. Work begun in 1613, with the walls being completed 5 years later.

Derry is one of the most complete walled cities in Europe. One of the best places to start your voyage of discovery is the award winning Tower Museum, located inside the city walls just opposite the Guildhall.

Website: www.derrycity.gov.uk/museums/tower.

For a list of Guided Tours, Coach Tours or Day Cruises from Derry, visit the website: www.derryvisitor.com/Tours-Tour-Guides.

In the centre of the walled city is the War Memorial, built on the site that once occupied the Town Hall.

The bronze statues and Portland stone are 40ft high and 27ft wide. They are in memory of those from Derry who fought and lost their lives during World War I 1914-1918.

The Guildhall is located in the heart of the city, just outside the walls. The original building dates from 1887, that was was razed to the ground in 1908.

The new building, built soon after, is red sandstone of neo-gothic architecture; with Tudor overtones.

In 1972, the Guildhall was extensively damaged by a number of bomb attacks. After being carefully restored, it reopened in 1978.

The interior houses some of the finest examples of stained glass windows in Ireland with many having been restored using the original watercolour designs. The council chamber on the ground floor is the seat of Derry City Council.

Dominating the skyline on all approaches to the City of Londonderry is Saint Columb’s Cathedral, which has stood on its prominent site inside the famous Walls of Derry since 1633.

Dedicated to the name of Saint Columba (Columb) who established a Christian settlement here in the sixth century, the Cathedral’s primary purpose is the worship of Almighty God. In addition to the Sunday Services, there is an act of worship each day (Monday to Friday) and the Cathedral is open daily to welcome visitors from far and near.

Website: www.stcolumbscathedral.org.

St Eugene's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the centre of Derry.

Fundraising for the building of the cathedral took place from 1840. Work began on the construction in 1849.The architect commissioned to design the cathedral was J.J. McCarthy who had already built numerous cathedrals across Ireland. The plan of the cathedral is a simple neo-gothic expression.

The cathedral was officially opened on 4 May 1873 by the then Bishop of Derry, Francis Kelly.

Website: www.steugenescathedral.com.

The North Coast of Ireland between Derry and Ballycastle, 48 miles east, is some of the most dramatic scenery anywhere in the world.

There are sandy beaches, scenic towns, rugged coastline, a whisky town, the Giants Causeway, and as there is no land between here and America, large waves for water sports.

Probably the best way to enjoy this coast is by Hiring a Car as the roads are not busy. You can also take a Coach Tour.

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The Atlantic Ocean is there to be enjoyed in all it's glory at Portrush, which is situated 37 miles east of Derry. A day’s fishing or coastal sightseeing can be organized on a local charter boat and both local and visiting surfers enjoy great waves at three spectacular beaches.

Top class facilities are available for all water sports enthusiasts at the newly opened Water Sports Centre at East Strand in Portrush town.

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The North Coast Water Sports Centre was opened in Portrush in the summer of 2007. The centre is used to facilitate a wide range of sea and coastal related activities, meaning year round access to high quality amenities for both local and visiting water sports users.

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The North Coast Water Sports Centre at Portrush allows groups or individuals to use the Water Sports centre as a base for changing and storing belongings. Activities on East Strand include surfing, body boarding, sea kayaking, surf kayaking, wind surfing, sub aqua and sea angling.

For golf in this area, there is the Royal Portrush Golf Club home to one of the best and most challenging links golf courses in the world.

Dunluce Castle, situated 40 miles east of Derry by Portrush, is sited dramatically close to the edge of a headland. Surrounded by jaw dropping coastal scenery, this medieval castle stands where an early Irish fort was once built and where its history can be traced back to early Christians and Vikings. Visit and take a peek at medieval Irish life!

Available is a visitor centre, shop, guided tours of the ruins, gardens and remnants of the town. There is limited wheelchair access. Tours available Easter-September and pre-booked available out of season.

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At Bushmills, the visitor can observe the craft and skills of making Irish whiskey. The guided tour includes the ingredients and processes, spring water from Saint Columb’s Rill and the finest malted barley, to the art of triple distillation in copper stills and ageing in oak casks. Of course, no visit would be complete without enjoying a complimentary glass of Bushmills whiskey. More Information.

41 miles east of Derry, by the town Bushmills, is the Giant's Causeway, renowned for its polygonal columns of layered basalt, is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. Resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, this is the focal point of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has attracted visitors for centuries. It harbours a wealth of local and natural history.

Visitor facilities – Coast: Shop: Refreshments: Guided tours: Suitable for picnics: Country walk: Programme of events: Access for visitors with disability: Facilities for families: Learning: Dogs welcome on leads: Available for functions.

About 46 miles east of Derry, 3 miles east of the Giant's Causeway, is a coastal car park, from there, a footpath, about 1 mile long, leads to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. On the way, there are wonderful vantage points to stop and take in the natural beauty.

Of course, Carrick-a-Rede also boasts an exhilarating rope bridge experience. Traditionally fishermen erected the bridge to Carrick-a-Rede island over a 23m-deep and 20m-wide chasm to check their salmon nets. Today visitors are drawn here simply to take the rope bridge challenge!

Once you reach Carrick Island, the reward is seeing the diverse bird life and an uninterrupted view across to Rathlin Island and Scotland. There is only one way off the island - back across the swinging bridge! Don't look down!

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Ballycastle is a small rural seaside town placed on the most north-easterly tip of county Antrim, Northern Ireland surrounded with breath-taking beauty and steeped in cultural history.

Ballycastle is best known for the 'Ould Lammas Fair', probably the largest of its kind in Ireland with its 'dulse' and 'yellowman'.

More Information . Golf Club.

To the west of Derry is County Denegal, part of Southern Ireland with some extremely interesting attractions. Tour of Donegal.

For more information on Derry, visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry.