Derry Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK)

Derry is an important town for tourism in Northern Ireland, but there are few outright tourist attractions on the list of things to see. A number of Derry attractions are related to the 'Troubles', a period of civil and political unrest that came to a head in the 1970s.

Derry has been a leader and source of hope in Northern Ireland, and tourists will encounter many memorials and public art displays. There are also a few peripheral attractions exploring the city's rich Celtic history, as well as the interesting role that the region played in some of the first transatlantic flights.

Derry City Walls

Address: Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 028 7136 4413
The City Walls of Derry are unique in that they still fully enclose the old part of the city, and are actually the only complete set of city walls remaining in the UK. Of all the attractions administered by the state in Northern Ireland, none can match these city walls in terms of scale. Completed in the early 17th century, they are thicker than they are tall, and admiring them is central to any visit to the city. Over the years, these walls have successfully held out against several sieges, including one lasting just over 100 days.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 20:00
Admission: free

Fifth Province

Address: 4 - 22 Butcher Street, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 028 7137 3177
This entertaining and educational attraction is found in the city centre. In this case, the 'Fifth Province' refers to the pantheon of Celtic culture that contributed to modern Derry. Visitors embark on a tour of the city's Celtic history with a modern follow-up. It's a fun way to get drawn into local history.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Hands Across the Divide

Address: Craigavon Bridge, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
This memorial has a high profile because of the international attention that fell on local unrest in the 1970s. The 'Hands across the Divide' monument was built in 1992, a full two decades after Bloody Sunday. Cast in bronze, it features two men reaching for each other. This potent image is as moving for tourists as for locals.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 22:00
Admission: free

Amelia Earhart Centre

Address: Ballyarnett Country Park, Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 028 7137 7633
This attraction is just a couple of miles outside the city centre. In 1932, when Amelia Earhart set out to become the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, she landed here. Today, there is a cottage on the site, and families with children will enjoy the visit as they can follow with a tour of the Ballyarnett Community Farm, with its menagerie of animals.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 10:00 to 16:00, Friday - 10:00 to 13:00
Admission: free

Genealogy Centre

Address: 14 Bishop Street, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 028 7126 9792
Growing numbers of visitors to Ireland are arriving to learn more about their families' Irish roots. This city is a logical first step, as many of Ireland's citizens emigrated through Derry port. The Genealogy Centre charges a flat initial fee to make use of their archives, and is an excellent springboard for further exploration in the county.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge