We made a visit to Derry (Londonderry) in Northern Ireland, close to the border with the Irish Republic in May 2026. Although we were there to meet old colleagues, we took the opportunity to tour the area and the walled city of Derry. Now at peace, the city saw plenty of violence during “The Troubles” and we visited Protestant and Catholic areas to view the huge murals about the Troubles. We enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the great efforts that have been made to unite the city in peace.
The Derry Peace Bridge crosses the River Foyle and is a remarkable suspension and serpentine structure. This view looks at the Guildhall.
This is the view of the Peace Bridge from the Guildhall looking at a former army barracks that is now home to hotels and restaurants.
The main hall in the Guildhall, used for weddings
The Guildhall on the bank of the Foyle looks like a church. It was the centre of government when the guilds from London ran the city in medieval times. This version was built in the 19th century after the previous hall was destroyed.
This was an old set of alleyways inside the city that is now Derry Craft Village, a set of small independent shops and galleries.
Austin’s Department Store (currently closed while they think what to do with it) sits on one side of The Diamond – the square in the centre of the walled city. The statues in the centre are impressive.
All of these huge murals are in the Bogside and represent the local Catholic viewpoint of the Troubles and how they see things now.
I didn’t know that Che Guevara was Irish, did you ?
The Walls of Derry and the Bogside beneath them. Since Henry VIII, the Protestants have lived in the city and the Catholics have lived outside them
While we were on a tour of the Derry Walls we were shown the remains of the tall fence that was used to stop Bogsiders throwing missiles onto the city walls
Along the River Foyle, going in to the Irish Republic, is a huge area of reclaimed farmland.
The same estuary looking into the hills around Derry
Grianan Ailig – the Solarium of Ailich (“The stony place”) where I climbed to get the two previous pictures
The old bridge at Buncrana in Eire with a park with odd sculptures in it
A completely fake door in a wall in Buncrana Park. A good example of Trompe d’loeil
Where all things end in Ireland – the pub!
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