County Derry - Heritage/Historical

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Here's a selection of Derry Heritage/Historical. Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list.

1. Heritage Centres	Go to ALL Heritage Centres in Derry
Bellaghy Bawn Castle Street, Bellaghy, Co. Derry This 17th-century stronghold contains a guide to archaeology, history and nature around Bellaghy. It features Seamus Heaney's poetry films and broadcasts. Show me all the details for Bellaghy Bawn

2. Museums	Go to ALL Museums in Derry
The Tower Museum Union Hall Place, Magazine Gate, Derry, Co. Derry The Tower Museum tells the story of Derry, chronicling the history of the city from its geological formation through to the present day. There are special features on Celtic Monasticism, the Plantation and the Siege of Derry. Show me all the details for The Tower Museum

3. Towers (Round)	Go to ALL Towers (Round) in Derry
Magilligan Martello Tower Co. Derry Martello towers get their name from a place in Corsica named Mortella where there was a round tower which proved impregnable when attacked by the English in 1794, twenty-six years after Napoleon's birth on the island. When, in 1804, it looked as if he might turn the tables and invade England, the English built similar towers around the coast of Ireland which, they feared, Napoleon might use as the 'back door' to England. Though the fears proved groundless, the towers still stand as a memento of the threat. The earliest of these towers were erected along the east coast around 1804. A second batch was built about 1812 around other parts of the coast when there were renewed fears of a possible French attack, and the war in the United States might also have been a contributory factor. The tower at Magilligan dates from around 1812 and, together with its sibling at Greencastle on the opposite shore of the River Foyle, it was designed to defend the approaches to the city of Derry. The walls are massive as a protection against cannon fire. The tower was itself fortified with its own cannon, and it would have been manned by one officer and between 5 and 27 artillery men. Show me all the details for Magilligan Martello Tower

4. Railway Museums	Go to ALL Railway Museums in Derry
Foyle Valley Railway Museum Foyle Road Station, Co. Derry Derry, once the meeting point of four railway systems, has a new and very special station, full of delights and surprises that everyone will enjoy. To celebrate the outstanding railway history of the City, the Foyle Valley Railway Company hosts an exciting and fascinating collection of relics from the heydays of the four companies which served the City. You'll smile at the tales from the Londonderry and Lough Swilly and the County Donegal, two of Ireland's most famous - and successful - narrow gauge railway systems. The Midland and the Great Northern used standard gauge to link Derry with Belfast and the South - but some of their operations were far from standard. Show me all the details for Foyle Valley Railway Museum

5. Monuments	Go to ALL Monuments in Derry
Alexander Ferguson M.P. Windsor Terrace, Co. Derry This beautiful and peaceful parkland set amidst the heart of the city is home to the commemorative statue of Sir Alexander Ferguson MP. This statue was erected to mark his place in history as being Derry's first representative Member of Parliament at Westminster London. The statue is commonly known as the Black Man. Location : At foot of Brooke Park Open All year / Winter daylight hours / Summer 8:00am - 8pm Show me all the details for Alexander Ferguson M.P.

6. Interpretative Centre	Go to ALL Interpretative Centre in Derry
The Tower Museum Margaret Edwards , Union Hall Place, Magazine Gate, Co. Derry The ancient city of Derry situated on the periphery of Europe occupies a site which has seen continuous habitation for the longest period in Irish records. Derry has an intricate and complicated heritage. The city's rich and varied past is a dramatic tale one which has been captured distilled and refined and presented through an ultra modern and hi-tech exhibition. A visit to this award winning interpretive centre is a must for visitor and resident alike. Opening Hours Tues - Sat 9:30am -5:30pm Admission Adult Ł2.50 Child Ł1 Family Ł5 OAP's Free Show me all the details for The Tower Museum

7. Heritage Centres	Go to ALL Heritage Centres in Derry
Amelia Earhart Cottage Co. Derry Amelia Earhart gave the city a much needed boost when she landed here in 1932 becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Her connection with the city is reflected in a display at the Amelia Earhart Cottage at Ballyarnett. Show me all the details for Amelia Earhart Cottage

8. Motte (Historical)	Go to ALL Motte (Historical) in Derry
Mill Loughan Motte Loughan, Co. Derry A flat topped mound surrounded by a ditch and outer bank, located in the village of Loughan close to the east bank of the River Bann. It can probably be included among those mottes built in the last quarter of the 12th century to fortify the territory conquered by the Normans east of the Bann. Show me all the details for Mill Loughan Motte

9. Cathedrals (Historical)	Go to ALL Cathedrals (Historical) in Derry
Saint Eugene's Cathedral Creggan Street, Great James Street, Co. Derry The foundation stone of this cathedral was laid in July 1851 but not dedicated until May 1873. Built of Newry sandstone its tower stands 77m high with a 2.4m granite cross on top. The stained-glass windows were designed by Meyer of Munich and installed in 1891 and the gardens grounds and gate lodge were completed in 1905. The city has two wonderful cathedrals which are celebrated annually through the Two Cathedrals Festival a programme of music and prayer open to everyone. Open all year, Admission Free Show me all the details for Saint Eugene's Cathedral

10. Towers (Historical)	Go to ALL Towers (Historical) in Derry
O' Doherty Tower Co. Derry When the local O'Doherty family built a castle in Derry for their overlords the O' Donnells, probably around 1500, it may well have been thought that a new beginning was about to be made. The recently-built O'Doherty Tower is a modern attempt to commemorate that medieval association. Show me all the details for O' Doherty Tower

11. Forts (Historical)	Go to ALL Forts (Historical) in Derry
Mount Sandel Fort and Mesloithic Site Co. Derry The hollowed-out centre makes it difficult to define this monument as a motte, though it may be identical with the Kill Santain or Kilsandel built by John de Courcy towards the close of the 12th century as a place from which he made forays west of the Bann. Excavations at the foot of the monument close to the river produced 13th century pottery and a carbonised branch of 13th century date. To the east, on high ground, is a fenced off area where excavations in 1973-77 uncovered remnants of Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) habitation representing some of the earliest traces of human activity in Ireland, dating from the 8th-7th millennium B.C. and later. Show me all the details for Mount Sandel Fort and Mesloithic Site

12. Tombs	Go to ALL Tombs in Derry
Ballybriest Court and wedge-tomb Co. Derry Sadly, land clearance in the 18 or 19th century removed the northern half of the monument, roughly down its central axis, and what can be made out from the obscuring clutter of field-wall stones is the southern half of the eastern forecourt and its accompanying double-chambered gallery, as well as the southern part of the forecourt of the western tomb. Excavations in 1937 revealed a black layer in the eastern forecourt containing burnt bone and pottery sherds, and covering further Neolithic pottery underneath. On lower ground, and about 150 yards to the south-west, are the remains of a wedge-tomb dug out of the bog, showing that it was built before the bog began to grow around the second millennium B.C. Show me all the details for Ballybriest Court and wedge-tomb

13. Homes (Historical)	Go to ALL Homes (Historical) in Derry
Downhill Co. Derry Downhill The landscaped estate, gardens and buildings at Downhill near Castlerock reflect the vivid personality of their creator - the flamboyant Earl Bishop, Frederick Hervey. The house which was designed by Michael Shanahan was one of the most renowned in Ireland and it contained treasures from throughout Europe. It suffered a disastrous fire in 1851 which destroyed most of the contents. It was rebuilt and lived in until shortly after World War 2 when the roof was taken off and it is now in ruins. However its setting and architecture give more than a hint of its former glory. Hervey also spent a vast fortune on the grounds. He erected a Mausoluem in 1778 dedicated to the memory of his brother, the 2nd Earl, the top of which fell during a storm in 1839. He also built the Lion Gate which stands beside the remains of a double walled garden with dovecot and ice house still intact. Perched on the edge of the cliffs is the most spectacular of the buildings, the Mussenden Temple. Built as library and modelled on the Temples of Vesta in Italy it is decicated and the attractive Black Glen with its wide range of trees and shrubs. A walk along the cliffs near the Temple gives excellent views of fulmar, black guillemot and kittiwake. Show me all the details for Downhill

14. Monastic Sites	Go to ALL Monastic Sites in Derry
Mount Sandel Fort and Mesloithic Site Co. Derry The hollowed-out centre makes it difficult to define this monument as a motte, though it may be identical with the Kill Santain or Kilsandel built by John de Courcy towards the close of the 12th century as a place from which he made forays west of the Bann. Excavations at the foot of the monument close to the river produced 13th century pottery and a carbonised branch of 13th century date. To the east, on high ground, is a fenced off area where excavations in 1973-77 uncovered remnants of Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) habitation representing some of the earliest traces of human activity in Ireland, dating from the 8th-7th millennium B.C. and later. Show me all the details for Mount Sandel Fort and Mesloithic Site

15. Maritime Museums	Go to ALL Maritime Museums in Derry
The Habour Museum Dermot Francis , Derry City Council, Habour Square, Guildhall Place, Co. Derry Veiwing and entry is not permitted as yet unless by arrangement through Derry City Councils City Marketing. Situated in the heart of the city overlooking the river this museum holds a sizeable collection of maritime artefacts tracing Derry's history through the ages including the facts about the city being one of the most important strategic harbours throughout the world wars of this century. Show me all the details for The Habour Museum

16. Churches (Historical)	Go to ALL Churches (Historical) in Derry
Derry Christ Church Infirmary Road, Co. Derry Christ Church was originally built in 1830 by Bishop Knox and was called the Free Church as it was intended solely for the poorer classes; ironically it later became the most bourgeois of the city congregations. The Church was almost completely rebuilt in 1903 and the name was changed to Christ Church by Bishop Alexander who seemingly disliked saints. It stands at the foot of Brooke Park facing St Eugene's Cathedral. Admission : Free Location : Leading to Northland Road Open : Sunday service 8:00am and 11:15am Show me all the details for Derry Christ Church

17. Monastery	Go to ALL Monastery in Derry
Monastery of Derry Co. Derry In the sixth century A.D. a Christian monastery was founded on the hill of Derry. The site was allegedly granted by a local king who had a fortress there. A similar kind of fortress can be seen at the spectacular Grianan of Aileach, a few miles west of the city and now in County Donegal. According to legend the monastery of Derry was established by the great Irish saint Colmcille/Columba (521-597). Colmcille founded many important monasteries in Ireland and Britain, including Durrow in the irish midlands and Iona on an island off the west of Scotland. The claim that he founded Derry is less certain, although that monastery definitely belonged to the federation of Columban churches which looked to Colmcille as their spiritual founder and leader. During the later middle ages the old monastery of Derry evolved into an Augustinian congregation. The church of that monastery survived up to the seventeenth century and was used, as their first place of worship, by the London colonists who came here to build the walled city. Show me all the details for Monastery of Derry

18. Bridges	Go to ALL Bridges in Derry
The Craigavon Bridge Carlisile Square, Co. Derry The first bridge built across the River Foyle was a wooden structure erected in 1789-91. The structure allowed for a drawbridge as the inhabitants of Strabane had navigational rights to the river. It was built between Bridge Street and Fountain Hill. The second bridge was a steel structure built in 1863 a little further upstream near the site of todays Craigavon Bridge. This was completed in 1933 and the two tier structure allows the lower deck to carry goods on rail tracks between the city's railway stations. The lower deck has been converted for road usage now and both decks of the bridge carry a heavy flow of traffic to and from the city. Location : Carllisile Square to Duke Street Craigavons's two large artificial lakes are used for water sports and trout fishing. Show me all the details for The Craigavon Bridge

19. Windmills	Go to ALL Windmills in Derry
Knockcloghrim Windmill Rev. Brian Anderson , Hillhead Road, Knockcloghrim, Co. Derry Restored windmill, in operation until the Great Wind of 1895 blew the sails off. Local history exhibits, viewing gallery, play area, tea room. Wheelchair access. Show me all the details for Knockcloghrim Windmill

20. Wells (Historical)	Go to ALL Wells (Historical) in Derry
Saint Columb's Well The Wells, Lower Fahan Street, Co. Derry St Columb's Well at the bottom of Fahan Street in the Bogside is one of three wells dating back to St Columb's period of residence in Derry. The original site of St Columb's monastic church at Long Tower is close by. Legend tells of St Columb praying here when a child was brought to him for baptism. No water could be found. St Columb was said to have blessed a nearby stone and from it water sprang forth. This is how the well originated and to this day the annual Feast of St Columb is celebrated with much fervour in the area. Admission : Free Open : All Year Show me all the details for Saint Columb's Well

21. Town Information	Go to ALL Town Information in Derry
Derry City Coat-of-arms Co. Derry The famous skeleton on the city's coat-of-arms is said to depict the association with another aristocratic family, the Norman de Burgos, who built their great fortress at Greencastle at the entrance to Lough Foyle. Show me all the details for Derry City Coat-of-arms

22. Bawn	Go to ALL Bawn in Derry
Bellaghy Bawn Castle Street, Bellaghy, Co. Derry It was built around 1610-20 by Sir Baptist Jones of lands granted to the Vintners; Company of London as part of the 'Plantation of Londonderry'. Square in plan, its south-eastern corner is fortified by a stout, rounded flanker tower showing an early use of local red-brick, placed above a stone footing. Excavation has recovered traces of a similar tower at the diagonally opposite corner, and the south end of the west wall was protected by a square tower. There was a raised platform along the southern part of the west wall, and excavation has uncovered traces of an original house against the west wall north of this platform. Show me all the details for Bellaghy Bawn

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