In recent times, many people have become aware of the Northern Irish city of Derry through the popular series, Derry Girls, based on the life of creator, Lisa McGee. The first time I visited Derry in 2018, I hadn’t heard of the series and my fascination with Derry came from my family history connections. After that first trip, I knew it was a place I would always return to, and each time I do, I find my love for the city grow stronger.
Travelling to Northern Ireland and Ireland, people always say the people are among the friendliest in the world, but people from Derry take that friendliest to the next level. For me, I definitely feel it is a home away from home. If you’re travelling to Northern Ireland, make sure you add Derry to your itinerary and not just for an overnighter. At least stay three nights to really enjoy what the city has to offer.
The Walled City
Derry is known for having the last remaining completely intact wall in Ireland and Northern Ireland around the city centre. It is steeped in history and lovely to walk around, although without engage in politics, I find I have an internal struggle with what the wall represents. Built in the early 17th century, it is approximately a mile long circumference with various gates which gives you a quick and easy way to access where you want to go in the city. I always stay at Bishop’s Gate Hotel, and so I find the Bishop’s Gate stairs are easy to access from the Hotel and can take me on a scenic route to where I want to go.
Local companies offer daily walking tours around the wall which will give you a deeper understanding of the history of Derry a unique insight into the view and landmarks you will see on and from the wall.
The Struggle for Civil Rights in Derry
Before this generation learnt about Derry from Derry Girls, 40 years ago people may have discovered Derry through the words of the U2 song, Sunday Bloody Sunday. Further back, Derry had a troubled and chequered past during the Troubles, most notably on that terrible day in January 1972 immortalised in the U2 song lyrics.
You can’t visit Derry without learning of its history, and the local people are committed to helping the world learn of its past in a bid to ensure it will never happen again.
A great way to start is by taking one of the various walking tours around the Bogside, usually hosted by someone with a direct connection to the events of the 60s and 70s. I would suggest to do the tour before visiting the Museum of Free Derry. Covering the period of 1968-1972, it covers the city rights movement, the battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday.
The Peace Bridge
The city of Derry has done much in recent years to unite and heal the history of its past. In 2011, the Peace Bridge, which spans the River Foyle was opened. It was inspired by the hands across the divide sculpture by Maurice Harron, and depending on which direction you are viewing it from it provides an optical illusion of the two points of the bridge touching, unifying the different elements of the city. Make sure you take a stroll across it while you’re in Derry.
Derry Girls Tour
Inevitably, after the success of Derry Girls, people from all over the world have flocked to the city to visit the sites and streets of where Derry Girls was filmed. The best way to discover all the behind the scenes tales and take in all the sites is by booking one of the Derry Girls Tours that are on offered. They’re run 7 days a week from 9am-6pm so there’s plenty of opportunity to take in a tour and don’t forget to get a picture of yourself in front of the Derry Girls mural.
You won’t go hungry in Derry with a variety of restaurants such as The Exchange, a lovely wine bar situated near the Peace Bridge, or the Gown Restaurant within Bishop’s Gate Hotel. There’s also more laidback casual offerings such as chain, Granny Annie’s, a Northern Ireland favourite, located near the Diamond in the centre of town, and the converted shipping container by the River Foyle, Pyke ‘n’ Pommes If you’re after a great pub after dinner, stroll down Waterloo Street to find Derry institutions including Peadar O’Donnell’s and Rosie Joe’s for a drink and to listen to live music.
For more about our stay in Northern Ireland, check out these articles –
Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry
Dinner in the Great Room, The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
Giant’s Causeway
Portrush
The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
Titanic Quarter, Belfast
Check out our Essential Guide of What To Do in Belfast
