Monuments to visit Derry

Just outside the city walls of Derry is the Guildhall, a red brick building in the Gothic Revival style. Originally built in 1890, the building was rebuilt after a fire in 1908. It now houses the City Council Chamber and the offices of the Mayor of Derry. However, it is still worthwhile to enter the building, especially to have a look at the beautiful old stained glass windows, telling episodes of Derry's eventful history, and an exhibition on the Plantation in Ulster.

Derry is the only completely fortified city in Ireland. Built between 1613 and 1618, this wall, originally intended to protect the English settlers, is one of the best preserved in the British Isles. The walls, still intact today, which rise to 8 meters high and are 5 meters thick, encircle the city over no less than 1.5 km. They resisted several sieges, the most famous of which lasted 105 days between 1688 and 1689. In the 18th century, the fortifications were transformed into a fashionable promenade, which is still very popular with locals and visitors. Your visit to Derry can start with a walk on the ramparts, which allows you to better appreciate the history of the city, with a beautiful panorama, but also to see, on the west, the Irish flags of the Catholic districts (Bogside) and, on the east, the British flags of the Protestant districts (Waterside), on the other side of the Foyle river.

For the anecdote, this first city in Ireland to have been built according to a plan would have taken for model that of Vitry-le-François, conceived in France in 1545. Since then, it has kept its original layout, with four main streets radiating from the central square, The Diamond, to the four old gates (Shipquay, Ferryquay, Bishop and Butcher Gate). Freely accessible, this is a great idea for a walk to start your visit of this famous Northern Irish city.