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      Derry Travel Guide

      Welcome to Derry

      Derry, also known as Londonderry (more on that later), is a vibrant city in Northern Ireland known for its complicated history and lively culture. Famous for its 17th-century walls, the city offers a glimpse into Northern Ireland’s turbulent past, from the Siege of Derry in 1689 to the Troubles of the 80s and 90s. Walk through time as you walk atop the walls, with views over the town and the River Foyle.

      With a bustling centre and plenty to do in town, Derry is also surrounded by beautiful countryside, making it a perfect destination for history buffs, culture lovers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

      Derry is more than just a history lesson; it’s a living, breathing destination where the past meets the present, offering visitors a rich blend of heritage, creativity, and natural beauty. Whether you’re passionate about history, fascinated by culture, or simply seeking a scenic getaway, Derry is the ideal starting point for your Irish adventure.

      Where is Derry?

      Derry is a small Irish city with a population of 85,200, and is the capital of a county of the same name (Derry/Londonderry is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland). Located on the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (a region of the UK), Derry’s role as a border town and county has long defined its culture, history, and personality.

      Derry is about 1.5 hours from Belfast by car. It’s also connected to the capital by train, which takes just over two hours. Alternatively, there is a bus from Derry to Sligo (in the Republic), which also takes about two hours.

      It is also the end of the Causeway Coastal Route, a waymarked route that follows the Antrim and Derry coastlines for 52 km/33 miles.

      Located just over the border from Donegal, national parks, fjords, ancient sites, beaches and mountains are all within an hour’s drive from Derry.

      How to Visit Derry

      Bus/Train Read More

      Depending on where you’re travelling from, you can catch one of several buses either via Bus Eireann or AirCoach bus to Derry city centre. Direct services from Belfast, Sligo, and other Northern Irish destinations. There is also a two-hour direct train from Belfast. From Belfast, there are ample connections to Dublin.

      Car Read More

      The easiest way to get around Ireland is by car. However, the one place that might be a bit tricky by car is getting around Derry, given that it’s an old city with winding streets, walled towns, and one-way roads. Parking can be limited too.

      Airplane Read More

      Derry actually supports a small airport. The City of Derry Airport has limited flight connections. Most destinations are to the the UK: London, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, alongside a few “sun” destinations.

      Bike Read More

      Love cycling? Some visitors may choose a longer bike tour that explores north and northwest Ireland to truly immerse themselves in the destination.

      History and Heritage

      The Name: Derry vs Londonderry

      As the character Erin says in the starting words of the TV series Derry Girls, “I come from a place called Derry, or Londonderry, depending on your persuasion.”

      So, what is this city’s name? You might be asking, is it Derry, or is it Londonderry? Unfortunately, there’s no one answer. The name depends on who’s talking, in what context, to whom.

      In a nutshell, Derry is the name given to the walled town by the Catholics, while Londonderry is the name the city goes by according to the Protestants. Even amongst those broad strokes, you’ll see both names used. On official maps or data from the UK government, it’s going to be labelled Londonderry. On the flip side, official data from the Irish government will likely call it Derry. When searching for your bus, you’ll find BusEirean listing the “Sligo-Derry” line. A train in the north will likely list the destination as Londonderry.

      In a bid to keep everyone happy, Google Maps and other online resources will simply say “Derry Londonderry.”

      So, the long answer is that both Derry and Londonderry are both technically correct… and culturally incorrect, depending on who you’re talking to. As a visitor from abroad, you are free to use either name without issue. Choose your preferred name!

      20th Century & Bloody Sunday

      Sadly, when many people think of Derry, Bloody Sunday comes to mind, made infamous by the U2 song “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

      So what is it?

      20th century Ireland was a difficult time, and border towns had it worst of all. After years of protests, arrests, and attacks, the Republic of Ireland broke away from the rest of the UK in 1922 (in an event known as the Partition) after the Irish War of Independence. But Northern Ireland – the six counties of Derry/ Londonderry, Antrim, Down, Tyrone, Armagh, and Fermanagh – were still part of the UK (and still are). Trouble continued throughout the 20th century, spilling across the borders on both sides, and involving soldiers, ordinary civilians and protesters alike.

      Bloody Sunday was one of the most famous and tragic conflicts to take place in Northern Ireland. Bloody Sunday is the nickname given to the 1972 massacre when several British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians, many of whom were simply trying to get out of the way or help those in need, tragically leading to 14 deaths and more than a dozen injuries. It was a dark time in British and Irish history alike.

      Luckily, everything changed in April, 1998 when both sides signed the Good Friday Agreement, ending more than three decades of conflict.

      Modern Day Derry

      Today, Derry/Londonderry remains a part of the UK, along with the five other counties comprising Northern Ireland. It still contains a number of different ideologies, cultures, political preferences, and religions. This makes it sound divided, and while there are certainly conflicting viewpoints, both the city and county has completely changed since the 1990s.

      Today, Derry is a charming cultural hub and an ideal jumping-off point for visitors to the north and northwest. It offers a fascinating spotlight into Irish culture and history. Walking tours bring the city to life and educate visitors on Derry during its past. Festivals offer a fun and interactive way to immerse yourself into the city’s unique culture, and public art and murals connect you with both the past and the pop culture.

      The Derry of the 21st century is a safe and popular destination. With a foot in both countries, Derry (and Belfast) form a link between Ireland and the UK.

      Culture of Derry

      The Walled Town

      While walled towns might seem a dime a dozen in continental Europe, Ireland is a different story. Very few medieval walled towns exist in Ireland, with Derry being the only remaining completely walled town in Ireland. Derry is perhaps the most famous Irish walled town, and a visit to Derry isn’t complete without a walk along the walls. Dating to the 17th century, the walls were erected between 1613 and 1618 to protect the English and Scottish settlers who arrived during Plantation years (to “settle” Ireland) from the native Irish, whose lands the new settlers were grabbing and claiming by any means necessary. Despite these less-than-salubrious origins, the walls, measuring 1.5 km in circumference, are fascinating to visit and a source of pride in the city, offering great views of the city and beyond.

      Halloween Festival

      From pumpkin carving to costume wearing, treats to sweets, Halloween is a pagan holiday with origins in ancient Ireland. Every year, Derry hosts a magnificent festival dedicated to Halloween. It’s family-friendly by day, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy concerts, performances, and drinks by night.

      Learn more about Halloween festivities here.

      St Columba

      Ireland has three patron saints. Everyone has heard of St Patrick, but there is also St Brigid and St Colmcille, often Anglocised as St Columba. St Columba is the patron saint of Derry, where he founded a monastery in 540, and deposited holy gospels from France, retrieved on a pilgrimage. St Columba has a Scottish connection too, widely associated with the Isle of Iona off the west coast, where he founded a famous monastery. The saint has a number of namesakes in the city, including a church, a cathedral, and a church tower.

      Things To Do
      In & Near Derry

      Visit the Walls

      No visit to Derry is complete without a walk along the walls. The walls are open to anyone who wishes to visit them. However, you’ll get the most out of a guided walking tour. There are regular guided walking tours in Derry on most days.

      Walking Tour

      Derry has a complicated history. Sometimes, it’s better to get the truth from the lion’s mouth, and a walking tour of the city is the perfect way to do that. Join a local guide on a tour of the old town, the walls, and the Troubles.

      Walled City Brewery

      Feel refreshed with a crisp, tasty pint. The Walled City Brewery sports an exciting and delicious range of beers, including seasonal flavours and limited-time offers. Craft beer is something Ireland excels at – pull the perfect pint in our interactive beer tool here.

      Find Your Pint

      Happy Derry Halloween

      Love festivals? Derry hosts one of Ireland’s coolest Halloween festivals. Halloween is a big deal in Ireland – it’s the origin of Halloween, after all. Celebrate in style in Derry.

      Read More

      Grianan of Aileach

      Just a short distance from Derry over the Northern Ireland border into Donegal is the ancient Iron Age stone fort known as the Grianan of Aileach. The current monument, proudly capping a small but wild hilltop, is a reconstruction. But a visit to this site gives you great insight into life in Iron Age Ireland.

      If you are fascinated by the ancient monuments and remote past of Irish epochs, you might like to check out our guide to Ancient Ireland. Learn more about the amazing Grianan of Aileach in our guide to this Iron Age fort below.

      Discover Now

      Glenveagh National Park

      Glenveagh National Park

      Another incredible site over the border is Glenveagh National Park. Hikers, cyclists, and wildlife lovers will be riveted by the remote valleys and lonely mountains of northern Donegal. Hauntingly beautiful, Glenveagh National Park offers some of Ireland’s wildest scenery, ideal for outdoor adventure.

      The rugged landscape is contrasted with the trim Victorian hunting lodge, designed to resemble a romantic castle, and the colourful and manicured castle gardens. Learn more in our guide to Glenveagh below. Or, explore our Donegal travel guide for info about visiting the whole county.

      Read More

      Donegal Beaches

      Donegal Beaches

      Inishowen Peninsula

      Split by the twin bodies of water, Lough Foyle and the Swilly Fjord, the Inishowen Peninsula caps County Donegal, culminating in Ireland’s northernmost point, Malin Head. Rugged, windswept, and remote, Malin Head is home to incredible geology, Napoleonic heritage, and Star Wars.

      A great spot to spot birds and marine animals, as well as delve into Irish folklore in the story of the goddess Banba, explore beaches, islands, peaks, and more. Learn more about Donegal in our guide below.

      Read More

      Giant’s Causeway

      Causeway Coast

      The route between Derry and north Belfast, known as the Causeway Coastal Route, is one of the most scenic drives in Europe. Along this stretch of coastline, explore picturesque seaside villages, rugged cliffs, bird-dotted islands and vibrant beaches. Discover iconic landmarks like the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, taste fresh seafood, and learn about stories and myths from the giant Finn McCool to Game of Thrones and Narnia.

      Derry is the perfect start or end for this coastal journey. Read our guide below.

      Read More

       

      Pop Culture

      Derry Girls

      The Derry Girls mural in Derry.

      The Derry Girls mural in Derry.

      Derry Girls is perhaps the most famous pop culture to come out of Derry. The series follows the lives of five teenagers who live in Derry during the Troubles, combining normal teenage tribulations with real-life events.

      For example, the first episode opens with the characters nervous about their first day of school – while their bus has to go the long way around to avoid a bridge with a suspected IRA bomb on it. If you’re interested in knowing what everyday life was like for Derry citizens in the 1990s, you won’t find anything better than the award-winning series Derry Girls.

      If you’re already a fan, why not check out a few sites linked to the TV show? There is a mural in the city centre, the “hangout” bridge on the River Foyle, Limewood Street, the walls that encircle the city, as well as a number of thematic tours downtown.

      Love stories? Learn more about the stories of Ireland in our guide below.

      Read More

      Bram Stoker Connection

      Marsh’s Library in Dublin where Stoker researched his novel.

      Bram Stoker & Dracula

      Bram Stoker is famous for writing his cult horror novel Dracula. But where did his blood-sucking vampire originate? There are a number of places associated with Stoker, including the well-preserved 17th century Marsh’s Library in Dublin (well worth a visit!), where he researched the far-flung Carpathian Mountains in Romania, sites in England such as the eerie Highgate Cemetary in London, the town of Whitby where he spent some time.

      But the west coast of Ireland had an effect on the novelist, too. His mother was from Sligo, and her horrific memories of the cholera outbreak in her youth must have plagued his mind. Spooky spots abound in Ireland, from graveyards shrouded in thick, leafy forests to crumbling castles and places associated with ancient myths. (Learn more about spooky Ireland here).

      What’s the Derry Connection?

      There’s also a story, a dark part of Irish folklore, about a bloodthirsty dwarf from Derry, who repeatedly rose from the dead to prey on the blood of the living who could only be stopped when his head was removed and buried separately. It’s been suggested that it was this tale of the dwarf, Abhartach, rather than the terrible Slavic king Vlad Țepeșm, who formed the basis for Stoker’s Dracula. While the evidence is far from conclusive, Abhartach’s dark story shares some similarities and is certainly closer to home. Learn more about Bram Stoker below.

      Read More

      U2 Band

      This famous rock band is from Dublin, but their connection to Derry is cemented in their world-renowned song, Sunday Bloody Sunday. This is perhaps their most famous song about the Troubles, but it is a topic often referenced in their music, putting the Irish conflict on a world stage – literally. This event left a profound impact on U2, especially Bono, who used their privileged platform to call for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Since its inception in the 70s, the band U2 has been vocal about promoting unity and addressing the pain caused by conflict.

      Derry FAQs

      Is Derry Safe? Read More

      Yes! Unfortunately, due to its troubled past as recently as the 1990s, Derry has a conflicting reputation. This leads to some people who are less familiar with the region to believe it is unsafe. This is no longer the case. Travelling to and around Derry offers the same degree of safety as any city in Ireland. Of course, we still recommend taking the same precautions you’d take while in any city.

      Is it called Derry or Londonderry? Why is Derry Sometimes Called Londonderry? Read More

      The city of Derry/Londonderry is known by both names due to a historical and political divide. Originally, the city was named “Derry,” but in 1613, during the Plantation of Ulster, it was renamed “Londonderry” by King James I to acknowledge the London guilds’ role in its development. To this day, both names are used. Any visitor to Derry will see the name written Derry/Londonderry in most places.

      Today, “Derry” is preferred by Nationalists(a group who is largely Catholic and largely identify as Irish), while the name “Londonderry” is favoured by Unionists (who are mainly Protestant and generally identify as British). Of note, the choice of name often reflects the speaker’s political and cultural identity.

      As a visitor to the city, either one will do. If you’re not sure, why not use both!

      Is Derry in Ireland or Northern Ireland? Is it part of the UK, or in the Republic of Ireland? Read More

      Derry/Londonderry is located in Northern Ireland, which is currently part of the United Kingdom. While it is located near the border with the Republic of Ireland, Derry remains squarely within the UK. Derry is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland and has a complex history, particularly in relation to its identity and the broader context of the Irish-British relationship.

      The name “Derry” is often used by those with Irish nationalist or republican sympathies, while “Londonderry” is preferred by unionists who prefer to emphasise the city’s UK connection.

      Does Derry use Euros or British pounds? Read More

      Like all of Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, Derry uses pounds sterling or GBP.

      Is Derry a County? Read More

      Yes! Derry is the name of the city as well as the county of the same name. Like the city, the county is officially recorded as Londonderry but known locally as both Derry and Londonderry, depending on the speaker.

      Both are correct, depending on the context.

      Is Derry Worth Visiting? Read More

      Derry is a place buzzing with life and culture, a true hidden gem. Perhaps because of it’s turbulent past, or perhaps due to being tucked away in the northwest corner of the island, Derry doesn’t get as many visitors as the southwest.

      Is Derry Catholic or Protestant? Read More

      Both. At the root of this question is the conflict that burdened the city throughout the 20th century. Today, residents of both religions both inhabit the city.

      Why is Derry Famous? Read More

      There are a number of reasons for which Derry is famous. From the U2 song commemorating the terrible events of Bloody Sunday to the pop culture hit TV show, Derry Girls, to the popular Halloween festival each autumn, and of course, its impressive network of walls encirciling the town, Derry is a household name the world over.

      Is Derry a Walled City? Read More

      Yes, the walls of Derry date back to the 17th century and are about 1.5 km (just under 1 mile) in circumference around the city centre. They are one of the city’s most famous and beloved landmarks.

      Derry is Ireland’s most famous walled city and one of the only walled towns in western Ireland (the only in the northwest). Read more about walled towns in Ireland here.

      Was Derry Girls Filmed in Derry? Read More

      Yes, many of the outdoor scenes are unmistakably Derry. Those that weren’t filmed in Derry were often filmed in Belfast, a popular choice for filming locations (a lot of Game of Thrones was filmed in Belfast). For example, many scenes of the girl’s school, Our Lady Immaculate College, were filmed in real schools, such as Hunterhouse College and St Mary’s College, both in Belfast.

      Further Reading

      Visit Derry & the North

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