The Bogside Murals.

The Petrol Bomber, Battle of the Bogside Mural.

This spectacular mural was painted in 1994; this mural was painted to remember the chaos and hardship that the people of this city endured. The battle of the Bogside took place on August 1969.

The man wearing the mask is to acknowledge the fact that CS gas or “tear gas” was released by the RUC during this battle and so the people were forced to protect themselves hence the mask.

Operation Motorman, the Summer Invasion Mural.

This Mural is a snapshot of the events that occurred in the early hours in July 31^st 1972, this event was known Operation Motorman and it was carried out by the British Army, in Northern Ireland during the troubles.

The aim of this operation was to re-claim the “no-go “areas i.e. areas that were claimed by Irish Paramilitaries these areas were established in the main towns like Derry and Belfast. This operation was to be the biggest British Military operation since the Suez Crisis of 1956; it was to be the biggest British military operation in Ireland since the Irish War of Independence.

The Summer Invasion involved just over 22,000 British Troops.

The Peace Mural.

This mural was completed and unveiled in July 2004.

The Mural has a background of squares all equal sizes this is symbolise equality, the choice of colour for each square is deliberate these are colours of Harmony and well being.

The focal point of the piece is the white dove this is the eternal symbol of peace and also is derived from the oak leaf the symbol of the city and county of Derry.

The Saturday Matinee, the Rioter Mural.

This Mural is dedicated to the large number of frequent riots that occurred in Derry between October 5^th 1968- 15^th August1969.

The riots has a tendency to occur on Saturday Mornings hence the title “The Saturday Matinee”

The Civil Rights, the Beginning.

The Mural remembers the first Civil Rights March organised by NICRA (Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association) on 24^th August 1968. This March Marked Derry’s beginning in its struggle for democratic rights.

The March route spread from Coal Island to Dungannon in County Tyrone.

The Runner Mural.

This Mural was unveiled on Friday 28^th July 2006.

The Runner Mural illustrates a typical scene from the Bogside during the riots i.e. the CS gas in the air.

On one side of the Mural are two small images of two young boys, Manus Deeney and Charles Love both who met their fate on the streets during the troubles.

Manus Deeney was shot dead at 15 years of age on May 19^th 1972.

Charles Love died on 28^th January 1990 by a bomb explosion whilst watching Bloody Sunday Commemoration March the bomb was released by the IRA it was intended to injure or kill nearby security forces.

The Bloody Sunday Commemoration Mural.

This mural was completed on the 27^th anniversary of the shooting of the 14 victims of bloody Sunday.

Bloody Sunday was the shooting and killing of 14 men on the 27^th January 1972 by the British Army.

On the Mural itself there are the faces of the 14 men who were murdered and beside each face is a small oak leaf symbolic of the Derry Oak.

Bernadette, Battle of the Bogside Mural.

Another snapshot of the Battle of the Bogside, this mural was painted in 1996 two years after the mural mentioned above.

This mural has a number of themes within it; the first is the Free Derry Gable wall which is the centre focal point in the painting.

The Bin lids were used by woman and children to raise alarm to all nearby of raid by the British Army.

The Final image is of Bernadette Devlin who was given a speech, addressing the crowds she was later imprisoned for her actions.

The Death of Innocence Mural, Annette Mc Gavigan.

The Death of Innocence Mural was unveiled on September 1^st 1999.

This Mural is dedicated to the tragic death of Annette Mc Gavigan who was 14 years of age when she was shot and killed by a British soldier on September 6^th 9171 when she was standing on the street where she lived.

Hunger Strike, Raymond Mc Cartney Mural.

This Hunger Strike Mural was unveiled on July 25^th 2000.

This Mural was created to acknowledge the two major hunger strikes that occurred between 1980 and 1981, these hunger strikes which involved over 33 republican prisoners but the original seven were from the H-block of the Maze prison.

Overall 10 men lost their lives including Bobby Sands, the reason that Raymond Mc Cartney is the face of the Mural because it was his photograph that managed to find its way by being smuggled out of Maze Prison, it told the story of the suffering and grief felt by the inmates of the “Maze.”

The woman in the background remembers the 3 woman prisoners that also took part in the hunger strike from Armagh prison.

The Bloody Sunday Mural

This Mural was painted in 1997 on the 25^th Anniversary of the Bloody Sunday which took place in 1972.

On the 30th of January 1972 the British Army opened fire killing 14 men, in this particular mural a group of men carrying the body of Jack Duddy from the scene of the shooting this group of men are led by then Father Daly now Bishop Daly, who here can be seen carrying a white handkerchief symbolising surrender.

St. Columb’s Park

Description

The park is a large woodland area filled with scenic and quaint pathways that boast excellent outdoor activities for any age along with many indoor activities.  The park has been credited on it excellence due to its many activities that facilitate people of all ages.

City of Culture

The park hosts many events in Derry because of the city being the city of culture. Many concerts have taken place in this park to celebrate the city of culture. Another exciting celebration that took place in the park was the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, many events took place to celebrate this momentous occasion, including a concert and stalls. These events were located in the park itself. Adjoining the park is the well known peace bridge which is a direct link to the city centre which is in walking distance of Derry Bed and Breakfast, a luxurious and affordable place to stay.

Location

The park is located on the Limavady road which is on the Waterside of Derry City. There are many bus routes available to and from St. Columb’s Park and also the Peace Bridge is a direct link from the park to the city centre and vice versa.

The Free Derry Museum

History

The Free Derry Museum has been a working progress for the last six years by the Bloody Sunday trust and its main aim was to ensure that all the memories and struggles of the people of Derry are captured and preserved for everyone to see so the hardship of the people of Derry is never forgotten.

This wonderful building close to the people’s heart was officially opened on the summer 2006, with the purpose to create an archive focussing on the most important periods of the city of Derry. These events defined Derry and the wounds inflicted were carried to generations today. The museum tells the story of those who were greatly affected by the events of the troubles, it is a community story told by a community perspective. The museum currently has 25,000 individual items related to this part of the city’s history.

The Great thing about this museums development is that it gives those who suffered greatly to be able to tell their story and give their own tales of events and let their voice be heard after 40 years of silence, so that a greater light can be shed on the tragic events of the troubles and not just the “single” official version of events.

The term Free Derry is used to cover the various areas of Derry including the Bogside, Brandy well, Creggan, Bishop Street and the Foyle Road.

The benefits of this museum to the City of Derry is numerous it will secure many jobs for those looking for employment and it will also bring in a great range of tourist attraction to the city.

The Museum has many aims but the main one is that the voice of the people is heard and that people are aware particularly the younger generation who seemed to have moved away from the troubles that life was not always this way that the people before suffered and fought for what they have achieved today.

 Location

The museum is located at the southern end of Glenfada park, this site was chosen due to the fact that it is the central place of the city, which is only a walking distance from many places to stay, mainly Derry Bed and Breakfast. It is only yards from the Bloody Sunday Monument and the Rossville flats which was the main place where the many killings took place. The museum is the key focal point for all those interested in the history that defined Derry.

Contact

For more enquiries:

Telephone: (028) 7136 0880

Peace Bridge

History

The Peace Bridge was inspired by Maurice Harron’s, ‘Reconciliation /Hands Across The Divide.’ The Peace Bridge was a hope for a more equitable future, joining the hearts and minds of the people together.

The Peace Bridge was officially opened on the 25^th of June 2011, the purpose of this bridge was to unit two sides of Derry, the Waterside and the City Side. The Peace Bridge was formally opened by EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn and Taoiseach Enda Kenny, alongside the First and deputy first Minister. These two sides were in constant controversy and showed great hostility to one another. This bridge is a symbol of the unity of these two sides thus the name Peace Bridge. It is one of the largest and most ionic projects to be completed. The design and construction of this project was granted 14 million pounds which led to this peace filled symbol to stand between and rejoin these two sides.  The weekend of it’s opening was filled with mass celebration of this historic event in which thousands of people came from all sides to celebrate their reunion as Derry City became united.

The Peace Bridge was officially opened at 3pm on the 25^th of June, when a chorus of 600 singers from the schools across both sides will make their way down the bridge itself. Up till this month over 700,000 people have crossed the bridge itself.

When Derry City was officially named City of Culture 2012 the Peace Bridge was the main attraction and is owner of 4 prestigious awards to highlight elegance as well as cutting edge architecture. 

The Peace Bridge was used to facilitate the Olympic Torch that crossed it on the 4^th of June 2012.

Structure

The bridge is a cycle and foot walk bridge across the River Foyle. It has a total length of 235 (length of two and a half football pitches) metres and a width of 4 metres. The design is a self- anchored suspension bridge which took almost 2 years to complete. At night the Peace Bridge is illuminated which shows a beautiful elegance lit up.

Location

The bridge is located on the River Foyle which is situated in the heart of the city. It is home to many luxurious places to stay including Derry Bed and Breakfast which is walking distance from the city centre. Therefore the bridge will be seen to regenerate the river for many activities such as scenic walks and cycles.

The Tower Museum is an extremely popular attraction amongst tourist that visit the walled City of Derry (City of Culture 2013).

 The Tower Museum is a large grand building with walls made of old stone, which gives the museum its magical castle like appearance.

The Building has a great enticing charm, within the stoned walls of this grand building lays the story of Derry and its great journey through history, its great triumphs and success.

What further adds to the Museum’s grandness is the fact that theTower Museum is wrapped around the historic Derry walls along Union Hall Place.  It opened in 1992 and since its opening it has won four major awards for its spectacular work and for the many brilliantly organised and decorated exhibitions.

Each exhibition will have interactive technologies to entice and engage our eager visitors.

The Museum will display many temporary exhibitions throughout the year, it uses exceptional visual and interactive technologies to engage and involve the people in the stories they have come to see.

Within the museum there are two exhibitions that are displayed within the museum all year long and they are:

 ‘The Story of Derry’ this exhibition tells the story of Derry (one of Ireland’s oldest cities.) from its implantation, to the siege of Derry and even the growth and development of Derry in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Not only does the exhibition follow the past journeys that The City of Derry has engaged in but it also follows its present stories of the 20th century, including the dramatic events that unfolded during the civil rights movements and the troubles it also describes the emotions and impact that these events had on the lives of the people that inhabited the city.

The second permanent exhibition is the “Armada shipwreck -La Trinidad Valencera”  this exhibition tells the tale of the La Trinidad Valencera which was one of the largest ships in the Armada fleet, it was discovered four hundred years after its crash on Kinnagoe bay in County Donegal but the Derry scuba aqua team.

The exhibition is jam packed with artefacts recovered by the team of divers, it also tells the story of the lives of the soldiers and the crew that were aboard the ship that fateful night in 1588 that unfolded due to the violent storm the Armada fleet came up against on the La Trinidad Valencera .

 Accommodation available by Derry Self Catering Apartments or our range of Bed & Breakfasts.

Riverwatch Aquarium

The aquariums at Riverwatch one of the many popular tourist centres that Derry City has to offer it is situated just outside Derry City Centre and with Free Admission this is a must see !!!

Riverwatch has been recently renovated and now possess 8 brand new state of the art visually exquisite aquariums that contain some spectacular and local creatures.

Once you enter the Aquarium you will find each aquarium is brightly lit up with a fabulous range of coloured lights to enhance the visual experience.

Each of these wonderful aquariums contains a wide variety of sea life ranging from slippery, slithering or sleepy wildlife to still and subtle aquatic plants like anemones all of which are local to Derry.

This Aquarium is ideal for a great day out filled with fun and education for young kids keen to explore and adventure around the great deep, hidden with many exciting and exhilarating surprises. Delve into the homes of many spectacular wildlife and engage in their everyday activities and adventures.

Marine Environment

 The Lough

The brackish waters of Foyle and Carlingford Loughs allows for a variety of fish and shellfish to thrive. This is a great environment to venture into as it is filled with many actively moving wildlife, such as large lobsters, mussels, oysters, crabs to wrasse, eels and rays.

Rockpool

This type of environment gives rise to the some of the seas smallest and best camouflaged creatures. Hermit crabs, winkles, starfish, shrimp, limpets, anemones and blenny can all be found thriving amongst seabed stones and seaweed of the Rock pool.

Deep Sea

In these colder waters are habitat to a wide variety of starfish such as the sunstar, spiny star and common starfish, Sea urchins and large whelks.

Freshwater Environment

 Pond

The pond area is habitat to a very wide range of aquatic invertebrate life such as water boatmen, pond snails, freshwater shrimp and beetle larvae; you could also find small species such as sticklebacks, newts and frogs.

Lake

Lakes give rise to a many of the larger fish. One of the top predators in a lake is the pike.

River

Fish such as trout, salmon and eels are found here.

 Canal

Typically coarse fish are found to be lurking these waters alongside a range of aquatic invertebrates.

 Stream

River invertebrates, small salmon and trout as well as brook lamprey are located here.

Accommodation available from Derry Bed & Breakfast.

Culturlann

About

Cultúrlann has the purpose of bringing all languages together and having a variety of culture within the walled city, the Irish language is the most predominant language encouraged as it is the native language of the Irish people that has been forgotten and needs to be reintroduced.

This building has already become a central place for language and culture and will greatly enhance the Irish culture within the community and allow for the regeneration of the Irish language.

Structure

Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is a 4 million building that includes a 200 seat theatre  which has multi-purposes. It can be used as an art centre, conference centre, language classroom and a young club for young Irish speakers. There is also a 1,655 sq ft business incubation suite, housing a café, craft centre and Irish language book shop and all facilities are open to both all people wishing to learn languages, welcoming all cultures.

The Language

The people of the Creggan, Bogside and Brandywell districts of Derry have long held an affinity to the Irish language. Indeed, most of the residents could trace their roots back to the Irish-speaking areas of Donegal. In the early 1900s, there were no fewer than 5 branches of Conradh na Gaeilge in the city, most of them located in the Bogside area.

In 1985, the Colmcille branch of Conradh na Gaeilge set up office in Dove House. The branch eventually moved to Gt James Street and grew into the organisation known as An Gaeláras currently based in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin. Together with community activists and parents from the area, An Gaeláras was instrumental in establishing Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, one of the most successful Irish-medium primary schools on the island, now located between the Bogside and Brandywell.

Derry City of Culture

History

In July of this year, the Derry made history after successfully winning its bid to become the first ever UK City of Culture in 2013. This successful win means that in 2013 Derry will play host to a year-long celebration of culture in the city, opening its doors to visitors from across the world.

This is a new chapter in our journey from plantation to peace, and its legacy will last for generations. This announcement has attracted so many individuals from all over the world to see this new City of Culture. There are so many wonderful places to stay such as Derry Bed and Breakfast. This accommodation is located 15 minutes from the heart of the city and therefore the heart of all celebrations that this City of Culture brings.

Events

There are so many events planned in Derry, City of Culture:

Derry year as UK City of Culture 2013 and the lead in year of 2012 will be one of the most exciting periods is the city’s future as we open our doors to the world and play host to events of global significance. The following events are already confirmed in our calendar.

2012

Cultural Olympiad

The Cultural Olympiad have confirmed that a series of events to be staged in Derry in 2012 in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A major concert delivered by Peace One Day and international artists such as Deborah Warner, Jude Law and Jeremy Gilley will demonstrate the city’s appeal as a world class location for events.

 Clipper Round The World Yacht Race

Derry, will be represented in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race with an official city boat in the race. In addition the city will be an official host port, welcoming the ten-strong fleet in July 2012 with a showcase festival at the end of the final transatlantic stage of the 40,000-mile race en route to the race finish. It will be the first time that Northern Ireland has been represented in the race which attracts a global audience of more than 460 million people.

 2013

Turner Prize

The City of Culture Celebrations in 2013 will see Derry host the Turner Prize Turner Prize, the most important event in the UK’s contemporary art calendar. This will be only the third time that this prestigious event has been moved away from Tate Britain, and the first time it has been held outside England. The Turner prize exhibition usually attracts between 70,000 and 90,000 visitors. When the event was held in Liverpool in 2007 as part of the city’s European Capital of Culture celebrations 71,000 people visited it and our city can expect a similar influx.

 The Ballyarnett Natural Country Park.

The Ballyarnett Natural Country Park is one of the many natural reserves that the city of Derry, Northen Irelands most prosperous City has to offer, the park is acres of natural beauty a vast spread of countryside with glacial lakes and peat bogs that have been around for many many years.

This Park is ideal for long undisturbed walks, exploring untouched landscape that Northern Ireland has to offer.

This breathtaking piece of land is open and available to the wider community no admission fees are required.

Who is the Park for ?                                   

The Ballyarnett Country Park is ideal for all ages from the young bustling with energy to the Elder for a peaceful stroll amongst all that nature has to offer.

The Park is also for a wonderful day out for the family, a great opportunity for the kids to see the wild variety of wildlife and explore the undisturbed beauty the Ballyarnett Natural Country Park has to offer.

The Park provides isolated areas for cyclists and isolated paths so that people are able to walk freely around the park.

 Wildlife

The Ballyarnett Park is a natural reserve as it provides ideal and natural habitats for the breeding of many local animals that then go on to thrive and inhabit this park.

The variety of the animals that live in the Park range from Minks, Otters ,Wild Duck ,Geese, Badgers and Foxes.

These animals are protected in their habitats, they are able to breed and eat freely without coming into any harm from the world around them.

 The Amelia Earhart Centre

Within the grounds of the country park in Derry is the Amelia Earhart Centre, within this centre is an exhibition detailing local aviation history, with particular reference to Amelia Earhart, who landed on this site in 1932, following her pioneering solo Trans-Atlantic flight.

At the age of 34, on the morning of May 20, 1932, Earhart set off from Harbour Grace; she intended to fly to Paris.

After a flight lasting 14 hours, 56 minutes during which she contended with strong northerly winds, icy conditions and mechanical problems, Earhart landed in the centre of Ballyarnett Country Park north of Derry (City of Culture 2013) Northern Ireland.

The site now is the home of a small museum, the Amelia Earhart Centre.

Accommodation is available nearby from Derry Bed & Breakfast or our range of luxurious and stylish self catered Apartments.

Ness Woods

Description

Ness Country Park lies in the steep, wooded glen of the Burntollet Valley, southeast of Derry City. The Country Park is made up of 55 hectares of mixed and many areas of pure open woodland. It also includes an area of scenic meadow, providing easy-access for individuals who are less capable of enduring travel. The Park has many open areas for wildlife, park areas for picnics and riverside walks with wonderful views. There is also a new visitor centre that allows individuals to view the many areas of biodiversity that inhabit the woods.

Ness woods is a area that conserves many habitats that have become endangered and because of this wood their habitats can now remain preserved,.

Transport

There is a regular bus service between Derry & Dungiven on the A6. From the main road it is a 2.5 mile walk to the visitor centre.