Planning to visit Derry/ Londonderry?

This city in Northern Ireland is well known for its defensive city walls, murals, and the tragic Bloody Sunday history during the period known as The Troubles.

Located at the westernmost end of the Causeway Coastal Route and the northernmost tip of the Wild Atlantic Way, Derry makes a terrific base to for touring portions of these scenic drives.

Ferryquay Gate, one of 4 gates in the Derry city walls.Visiting Derry in Northern Ireland

This article is based on the Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 116, featuring Gleann Doherty, the owner of Derry Guided Tours. Gleann is a Derry native, raised in the city all through the conflict. He holds a B.A. Honours Degree graduate of Irish History and Politics from the Magee campus University of Ulster.
If you prefer to read the article, it continues below the podcast player.

Derry – or Londonderry?

The city's original Irish name is Doire, which translates to ‘the oak grove'. That was anglicized to Derry.

In 1613 King James I changed the name to Londonderry for the London Guild who financed the building of the city walls.

Locally the city is generally referred to as Derry.

Cannon sit atop the city wall of Derry, a reminder of the Plantation of Ulster.The Derry Walls

The Derry Walls are the largest ancient monument in state care in Northern Ireland and have the longest, complete circuit of ramparts of any of the remaining 30 walled towns in Ireland. 

The walls were built during the Plantation of Ulster, a colonization of the province of Ulster by the British to populate the area with British and Scottish Protestants. The walls were the main defensive structure for the plantation of the area.

The Derry walls are massive! You could actually drive a car on top of them in many areas! And the experience of walking above the city is so unique.

The Ulster Overview itinerary takes you through the highlights of Ulster, including the Giant’s Causeway, Belfast, and Derry – while introducing you to places along the Causeway Coast that you’ve not heard of!
The itinerary is suitable for all ages and includes 3 levels of lodging recommendations.
Get the FREE Ulster Overview itinerary here.

The Free Derry Wall as you enter the Bogside. Murals in Derry

Derry is a city known for its murals located in an area known as Bogside.

The murals began in the late 70s as a rather fluid political message, often a form of protest in the Catholic Nationalist community.

The murals that people see today were painted from the mid-90s and early 2000s, but were designed to be ‘static' and explain the modern history of Derry.

Mural tour of Bogside with Derry Guided Tours.
Photo ©: All Rights ReservedDerry Guided Tours

Gleann leads tours of the Derry walls, as well as the Bogside for individuals, tour groups, and schools.

Visit Derry Guided Tours website to make a booking enquiry.

Or find Gleann on Instagram and Facebook.

3 Things You Shouldn't Miss in or near Derry

 Doagh Famine Village – history before, during, and after the Great Hunger

The Inishowen Peninsula – The Inishowen 100 is a spectacular ring drive

West Donegal – including the Gaeltacht and Slieve League Cliffs

These Donegal sites – and others- are shared in this article.

Waterloo Street in Derry is known for Traditional Irish Music.

Read about a tour with Gleann here (as mentioned in the podcast).

The post Derry Guided Tours appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.