Places of Interest - Ireland (Northern)

"(london)derry"




introduction


(London) derry is the second largest city in Northern Ireland and is best known for the massacre that took place in 1972 when fourteen innocent demonstrators were killed by English bullets. Bloody Sunday would leave its traces to this day. Despite the fact that Belfast is way beyound in terms of investments and innovations, (London) Derry still has a lot to offer. In the 16th century the city was completely walled and this is still largely the only one in the country still visible. The city is also sometimes called the virgin city because it has never been taken by other invaders. Reason why the old gates are also virtually undamaged. The city is riddled through the wide river "Foyle" where thousands of Irishmen emigrated mainly to the US and Canada. Of course there are many monuments to the terrible day in 1972 in the form of murals and other mementos. To this day you can still see the struggle in the city that is called Derry by Catholics and LondonDerry by the Protestants.


highlights


Historic city (London) Derry:

The walled city was designed as a Roman military camp with four large wide roads in the middle and four corner towers. In the middle is the impressive war museum that honors all the fallen from the WWI and WWII. The walls built in the year 1619 around the historic city are 8 meters high and 9 meters thick and are one of the few well-preserved city walls in Ireland. In total you can walk about 1.5 km on the walls and enjoy the different views over the city and river. The four city gates have been rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries. The oldest building within the walls is the "Columb" cathedral dating from the 17th century. Another beautiful architectural masterpiece is the "Guildhall" building just outside the walls. Originally it was built in the year 1890 and although this is a replica from 1908 because of a large fire this building has lost nothing on his value. There used to be the "Londonderry" corporation - reason for the IRA (the Irish Republican army) to destroy this to two times after the massacre in 1972.


Bogside and Fountain:

Despite the fact that there is nothing left of the old Bogside from the sixties, you can imagine when you close you’re eyes how the the old quarter look and smelled like. From the (Protestant) city walls you have an impressive panorama of the city district that would become world famous. In 1969 the district with 33,000 mostly poor unemployed Catholics had become a hotbed of Irish nationalism. A three day campaign resulted in a "Free Derry" where the IRA held sway. After the neighborhood was bulldozered away in the early 70s, one building was erected that was turned into "Free Derry Corner". Especially in Rossville street you can see more than a dozen murals that all tell their story about the battle here. There is a "Free Derry" monument, a famine strike monument, a commemorative plaque for "Bloody Sunday", a museum (in 2015 under construction) and numerous information panels about the history of the neighborhood. You can also go to the "St. Mary "cathedral, where the victims were taken in 1972 when shot down.  

 

The only Protestant (city) district on the west side of the city (River Foyle) is "Fountain". A neighborhood surrounded by high fences with English flags, barbed wire, painted curbs and lampposts as well as photographs of how it once was. Striking are the houses with painted windows and doors and the mural on which the 17th century slogan "No Surrender" stands. 

 

Other sights:

The "Tower" museum.



history


King James I gave the city of Derry a royal act in 1613 so that the city could be fortified and populated by Protestant settlers. The district and name would also be changed to Londonderry. In 1688, during the Revolution in England, the Protestant Dutch Prince William of Orange was replaced by the Catholic King James II. The city of Londonderry was the only garrison town in Ireland, not obedient to the Catholics, and it had to be taken with immediate effect. A large Catholic army was formed and took the eastern side of the river Foyle to surround Londonderry. The Catholics sent messengers to talk about conditions for surrender, but at the same time sent troops across the river to attack the city. Legend has it that the irish trick was foreseen and that some sturdy young boys called "no surrender" from the city walls. On December 7, 1688 the siege of the city began, which would last a total of 105 days. There was disease in the encircled city, as well as being incessantly bombarded with bombs and grenades. But the conditions were no less terrible with the attacking army. When finally a ship broke through the barricade to end the encirclement, it became clear that half of the inhabitants of the city had died.

In the 19th century, the city was an important port city where thousands of Irish left for a better life in the United States and Canada. The city also became an important industrial city for linen; it seems that the city produced uniforms for both the north and south troops in the American Civil War. Londonderry still sends about 12 free T-shirts to the American president each year. A century later, the encirclement of (London) Derry from 1688 became a symbol of the "Ulster Protestants" in their struggle against the Catholics of Ireland. Also the cry "no surrender" is to this day a much heard (and seen) one with the Protestants. In 1968, the poor Irish working class district was renamed "Free Derry" by the extreme IRA, a no-go area for English policemen and army. A three-day battle resulted in sending thousands of soldiers from England. Four years later, the city would become world news when degenerated into a true battle - result during a non-violent Catholic demonstration; 14 Irish protesters killed by English bullets and an equal number of wounded. Operation "Motorman" in the summer of 1972 resulted in the occupying of the neighborhood, the bulldozering of houses and the reconstruction of a new district with better homes and facilities.



tips & advice (2015)


The airport is located about 13 km west of the city. There is also a train station on the east side of the "Foyle" river with connections to, among others, Belfast. Finally, there is a bus station in the center of the city - on the east side of the walled city.


  • Name: "Connect"

Address: Strandroad 51

Price: 15 pounds (dormitory)

Phone nr. : 0044 (0) 28 71 372101

Website: http://hostelconnect.co.uk

 

Content:

Located in the busy street to the center within walking distance of the walled historic city and all other (Bogside) attractions. The hostel has two floors with different types of rooms. It is an old building so the floors crack (wood) and it is a mixed bag of furniture and everything which makes it cozy, “homy” and attractive. Staff is friendly, professional and helpful. Some places are not too clean and a bit musty but it can all just go through. There is WIFI, a reasonable breakfast (inclusive) although the number of toilets is very limited. The beds in the dormitory should be replaced because they are 3 storey high and not stable at all. For example, a personal light, curtain, shelf should be added and larger safes for backpacks. There is a kitchenette with a large table and a public TV room.


You can make a "Bogside" walking tour (6 pounds) that will take you to the most important places of the infamous 1972 day.



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