Derry (Londonderry - City Centre) 

 

Visit Derry City Website

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Historical notes about the City of Derry (Londonderry - City Centre)

The modern city of Londonderry stands at a very ancient site. The name Derry means an oak grove, and in the 6th century Columba, the great churchman, established a religious community here before he went to Iona. Verses were later attributed to him expressing his affection for

Then down the centuries the site had a varied history as a monastic centre often plundered and destroyed, and later, in the final conquest of Ulster in the time of Elizabeth I, Derry served as a base. At the Ulster Plantation in the reign of James I, Derry was colonized by the Companies of the City of London, and so the place acquired the first part of its name. The city walls and central part of the town were built then. As an inscription in the cathedral says,

The city passed through troubled times in the middle of the 17th century, and again in 1689 when it endured the famous siege. Crowded with refugees, short of food, its defences in a bad state of disrepair, its defenders raw and inexperienced, the city held out against experienced professional troops, undefeated by famine, disease, raids and constant harassing gunfire, till fresh supplied were got through by sea at the end of 105 days, and the besiegers withdrew, having suffered much demoralisation and lost 8,000 men. Derry is the only city in the British Isles which preserves its city walls complete. They have a circuit of about a mile and are pierced by seven gates. Many of the ancient guns are still in place. Relics of the siege are to be seen at St Columba’s Cathedral. The Walker Monument gives beautiful views over the city and surrounding countryside and the lake-like waters of the Foyle. Some interesting antiquities are preserved in the Guildhall. The city is an important centre for the production of textile goods, particularly shirts. Londonderry is also a naval base.

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Historic images from around the City of Derry

This small selection of historic images of Derry (Londonderry - City Centre) are from our British National Image Library. You may click on the thumbnail pictures to view larger versions and read what information we have regarding the image.

1930's Londonderry

Roaring Meg

Miss Amelia Earhart

There may be more historic images of Derry (Londonderry - City Centre) here.

Public Events in and around Derry

If you are organising an event in Derry (Londonderry - City Centre) then let us know about it and we will put a link to your event here and what's more we'll do it for FREE. The earlier you do it the better as not only will visitors to this Derry (Londonderry - City Centre) page see details of your event but so will visitors to our Derry and Strabane pages and really big events will be displayed at national level too. Follow the link immediately below

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Hotels, Apartments and B&B's in Derry

The visitor accommodation options for Derry listed below are supplied by LATE ROOMS and BOOKING.COM from a selection of over 16,000 hotels located throughout the UK.

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 Beech Hill Country House Hotel 

 

 City Hotel 

 

 Hastings Everglades 

 

 Tower Hotel 

 

 Angel House 

 

 Ramada Da Vincis Hotel 

 

 Serendipity House 

 

 Travelodge Derry