Amelia Earhart Exhibition Centre
– situated on the northern edge of Derry, the centre tells
the story of Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly the Atlantic
Ocean solo. She landed in Derry in 1932 having mistakenly assuming
she was landing at her intended destination, Paris.
Bloody Sunday Memorial – situated
on the Catholic Bogside area of Derry, the memorial commemorates
13 unarmed civilians, shot by the British Army during a protest
march in 1972. This remains one of the worst atrocities committed
during the course of the troubles in the North.
Derry City – the city’s
origins can be traced back to St. Colmcille, who founded a monastic
settlement here in 546. Successive attempts by English rulers
to suppress the local chieftains led to King James I offering
the land to English and Scottish settlers in 1609. The city of
London was given the authority to settle the area, which it did
by rebuilding the town within a mile-long wall, accessed by four
main gates. Today, visitors can walk around the walls passing
the 17th century cannons that protected the city.
Guildhall – situated in Derry
City, this is a beautifully restored building and is the seat
of the local government. Bombed twice in 1972, the building boasts
some fine examples of stained-glass windows.
Long Tower – said to be Derry
City’s oldest Catholic church, Long Tower is built on the
original site of Colmcille’s monastery and now contains most
of the artifacts relating to the saint, including a kneeling stone.
Mussenden Temple
Mussenden Temple – perched on
the edge of a cliff, just a short walk from the ruined bishop’s
palace at Downhill, this curious building offers spectacular views
of the sea.
Roe Valley Country Park – stretching
either side of the Roe River, which echoed to the sound of clattering
water mills in linen times, today, visitors can see the weaving-shed
museum and the watchtowers that overlooked the riverbanks where
linen was laid out for bleaching by the sun.
Tower Museum – it is quite
hard to avoid the past in Derry and the Tower Museum recounts
the city’s history up to the present day with some interesting
facts on show and harrowing tales to be told.
