Derry Landmarks and Monuments

(Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK)



Bloody Sunday Memorial photoDerry has experienced a tumultuous history, and most of the landmarks are potent reminders of conflicts between the Irish and the British, as well as local Catholics and Protestants. The most compelling sights in Derry centre on the Free Derry Corner in Bogside, a once lawless neighbourhood that organised protests and violent skirmishes against the governing powers. Even now, this is not a great place to be alone late at night.

Aside from the city's memorials, other landmarks that are worthy of exploration include the city's many churches. The oldest were built in the 12th century, but torn down and rebuilt a few centuries later. Most of the churches standing today were built after the Reformation.


Close-up image of the Bloody Sunday Memorial

Bloody Sunday Memorial

Address: Rossville Street, Bogside District, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Early in the year of 1972, British Army officials shot and killed 14 civilian protesters who were organising on behalf of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. The outcry was against imprisonment without trial amid other measures sanctioned by the British. None of the protesters were armed, though some were hurling rocks. This monument commemorates those who died and remains one of the most compelling reminders of this not-so-distant political turmoil.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Picture showing the Free Derry Corner

Free Derry Corner

Address: Rossville and Fahan streets, Bogside District, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
The entire Bogside District was laid out in the 1800s as a place where working-class Catholics could live. In the 1900s, it fell into disrepair and became the epicentre of Irish discontent with the British, and the hub of added violence between the resident Catholics and their Protestant neighbours. More than 30,000 residents roped off Bogside and declared it 'Free Derry'. The unrest has long since dissolved and Free Derry is now trendy, with lightly upmarket housing developments. This memorial, however, is a reminder of a less comfortable time in the city's more recent history.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Guildhall photograph

Guildhall

Address: Guildhall Square, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 028 7137 7335
The Guildhall was built in the late 19th century, although burned down in 1908, with little remaining other than its prominent clock tower. Soon rebuilt and becoming central to local politics, the Guildhall later drew fire from the IRA for sanctioning overt discrimination against Catholics. If you visit in July or August, consider signing up for a tour of the interior. Contact the London Livery Companies for details.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Hunger Strike Memorial image

Hunger Strike Memorial

Address: Rossville Street, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
In 1981, Irish republican prisoners were being held under questionable circumstances. A series of hunger strikes took place, the last of which was well-covered by the press. Bobby Strands, one of the inmates and hunger-strikers, was actually elected to parliament during the protest but, sadly, starved to death and became a martyr rather than a politician. The Hunger Strike Memorial is to be found close to Free Derry Corner, where it remains a poignant reminder of this series of events.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

St. Eugene's Cathedral photo

St. Eugene's Cathedral

Address: Great James Street, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 028 7126 2894
This church was built after the Great Famine in 1851. In those days, Irish Catholics were prohibited from attending Mass and were even stifled by a blanket 21:00 curfew. The bells of St. Eugene's Cathedral still ring every night at 21:00 as a reminder of the old discriminatory laws. Completely restored during the 1980s, the cathedral remains in a good state of repair. Well worth looking out for is the Organ Gallery, the Blessed Sacrament Altar, the Rose Window, the Bishop Kelly Memorial Window and the St. Patrick Window.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 20:30
Admission: free

St. Columb's Cathedral image

St. Columb's Cathedral

Address: London Street, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 028 7126 7313
St. Columb's Cathedral was built in the early 17th century, making it the oldest building in Derry, and contains a number of stained-glass windows depicting scenes from a siege of the city, which took place as long ago as 1688. This church is full of historical attractions, including a fired mortar shell that was used to deliver the terms of surrender to those inside the city.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, closes an hour earlier from November until Easter Sunday
Admission: charge

Long Tower Church photograph

Long Tower Church

Address: Long Tower Street, Derry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 028 7126 2301
Built after the Reformation and overlooking the Bogside area, Long Tower Church was constructed during the latter part of the 18th century, being erected over the site of a 12th-century church, the stones from which were used to construct Derry's impressive City Walls. Long Tower Church is located outside of those walls and enjoys a scenic backdrop of green hills.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 20:30, Sunday - 07:30 to 19:00
Admission: free