County Derry Northern Ireland | Things to See and Do
Derry City Walls
Let’s go for a walk and a tour around Derry’s ancient and well maintained city walls in Northern Ireland. Spectacular views all around!!
Derry’s walls were originally built by the Irish Society between 1613 and 1619. They were built with the intention of protecting the Scottish and English planters that had moved to Ulster as part of the Plantation of Ulster that had been established by James I. It was a direct consequence of the previous settlement being destroyed by Irish chieftain Cahir O’Doherty during O’Doherty’s rebellion. As a result of the building of the city’s defences by the Irish Society, which was a consortium of livery companies based out of the City of London, the city was officially renamed Londonderry in the 1613 royal charter. This is what has subsequently led to the naming dispute for the city and county of Derry/Londonderry.
The walls are at the centre of the historic city of Derry and within them are a number of Derry’s most important landmarks including the Apprentice Boy’s Hall and St. Columb’s Cathedral (the first ever purpose build Protestant Cathedral).
Portstewart Strand
Voted as Best Blue Flag Beach in the UK by holidaylettings.co.uk, the beautiful golden sands and ancients sand dunes of Portstewart Strand are a year-long favorite beach destination, whether you’re looking for a wintery walk or for a lazy day sunbathing
Seamus Heaney Country
One of Ireland’s most famed poets Seamus Heaney was born in Castledawson. Co. Derry, on April 13, 1939, moving to nearby Bellaghy as a boy.
A home for inspiration, echoing the life, literature and legacy of Seamus Heaney.
Seamus Heaney HomePlace is a purpose-built arts and literary centre, which celebrates the life and work of the late poet and Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney, and contributes to his legacy.
Opened in September 2016, HomePlace houses an interactive exhibition, arranged over two floors and filled with personal stories and artefacts, dozens of family photographs, video recordings from friends, neighbours, world leaders, cultural figures, and the voice of the poet himself. HomePlace also includes a recreation of the poet’s Dublin study.
Mussenden Temple
Dramatically located on the edge of a 120ft cliff, Mussenden Temple is already one of the most photographed tourist locations in Ireland.
It was built in 1785 and forms part of the Downhill Demesne. The demesne was formerly part of the estate of Frederick, 4th Earl of Bristol, who served as the Church of Ireland Lord Bishop of Derry from 1768 until 1803. It was Lord Bristol – popularly known as ‘the Earl-Bishop’ – who had the ‘temple’ built. Constructed as a library and modelled from the Temple of Vesta in the Forum Romanum in Rome, it is dedicated to the memory of Bishop Lord Bristol’s cousin Frideswide Mussenden. Over the years the erosion of the cliff face at Downhill has brought Mussenden Temple ever closer to the edge, and in 1997 The National Trust carried out cliff stabilisation work to prevent the loss of the building. Mussenden Temple, Sea Coast Rd, Coleraine, BT51 4RH, United Kingdom
Museum of Free Derry
The Museum of Free Derry opened in 2007, is the signature project of the Bloody Sunday Trust, an organization focused on telling the story of Derry during The Northern Ireland Troubles, especially the story of significant events between the years 1968 and 1972 which included the civil rights era, Battle of the Bogside, Internment, and Operation Motorman.
A little walk around the Museum of Free Derry. Music by Declan McLaughlin.
St Columb’s Cathedral
A spring evening flight over the beautiful St Columb’s Cathedral in Derry.
In Search of Ness Waterfall! An Epic, But DANGEROUS Adventure!
Ness Waterfall is Northern Ireland’s Highest Waterfall and the undeniable power of this hidden gem of mother nature is to be both admired and respected! In today’s episode watch Ben and his family trek through the beautiful Ness wood along the Burntollet River. Before long Ben has to go it solo to get down to the base of the waterfall before night fall and to traverse the truly DANGEROUS terrain that leads to it!
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