PLEASE CLICK ON YouTUBE ICON BELOW FOR PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS and OTHER VIRTUAL TOURS AND TALKS
PLEASE CLICK ON YouTUBE ICON BELOW FOR PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS and OTHER VIRTUAL TOURS AND TALKS
Our mission is to provide informative and entertaining historical tours of interest to both visitors and local residents.
We strive to be "politically neutral" and "historically accurate".
My tours cover the whole history of the city from BC to modern times but deliberately do not focus on the detailed events of "the Troubles" of 1969-1994.
Due to the wealth of historical information that exists,the biggest challenge has been not what to include, but what to leave out.
Do you require a flexible alternative to walking tours due to your schedule or are you concerned about being in groups ?
I have a range of walking tours of the city available through the VoiceMap App platform.
Tour 1 - Highlights of the Walled City (City Centre)
Tour 2 - A Waterside Wander (East of the City)
Tour 3 - A Ramble along the River (South of the City)
Tour 4 - A Quest along the Quay (North of the City)
A young person's treasure hunt has been developed and is available for the pre-designed tours options ( grateful thanks to the Friends of the Derry Walls for their kind assistance)
We are steadily developing our contacts with other local tourist organisations and providers, and will continue to work as part of a connected and collaborative network for the benefit of visitors to the area. Currently we are able to offer tour add-on visits to 4 attractions (see details below), and other additional visits are in development.
Tours are currently only available in English, and by advance booking directly to us through contact box below or 07799 693789 (or indirectly through the third party reseller sites - Airbnb Experiences,Viator, Toursbylocals or TourHQ.)
Welcome to the historic city of Derry – or Londonderry, depending on who you ask. Ours is a city rich in complex history, and filled with locals who’ll invite you to stay and "enjoy the craic".
This introductory tour takes you on a full circuit of the city's 400 year old walls. I’ll point out many of the famous historical and cultural sights en route and suggest places to return to for longer visits.
You may know a bit about the city from the recent comedy series Derry Girls, and we’ll visit the popular mural dedicated to the show. But on this tour you’ll also hear about:
• The city's saint, St Columba / Colmcille, who first established his monastery here in 542 AD
• The great Siege of Derry in 1688 and 1689
• The Troubles, which were a part of life here from 1969 to 1994
• The city's role in the second world war and the Battle of the Atlantic
• Immigration during the Plantation of Ulster
• Emigration during the Irish Potato Famine, or Great Famine, from 1845 to 1849
I invite you to join me in a “dander” around the Derry Walls, and this ancient but exciting part of the city. (“Dander” means a walk in the local dialect.)
Take in the sites of this historic city on a walk across the iconic Peace Bridge to Waterside, on the east bank of the River Foyle. We’ll hear about the military past of the area around Ebrington Square, and then continue on through the beautiful grounds of St Columb's Park. We’ll end the tour by making our way to the old railway station through the area of my childhood home in Bonds Street.
On this walking tour, you’ll see and hear about:
• The city's saint, St Columba who established his monastery here in 542 AD. (St Columba is also sometimes called St Colmcille.)
• The city's oldest building, St Brecan's Church, which is in the grounds of the beautiful St Columb's Park
• The Siege of Derry that took place near Stronge's Orchard in 1688 and 1699
• The military and naval barracks at Ebrington
• The city's role in the second world war and the Battle of the Atlantic from 1939 to 1945
• The iconic Peace Bridge and other bridges in the city
• The working class area of Bonds Street and the churches in the area
• The railways in the city, both old and new
• The ongoing development of Ebrington Square
• The modern sculpture of the Peace Tree
Join me as we take a wander around the squares, streets and parks of the Waterside, and see the wider city of Derry/Londonderry.
STILL IN PRODUCTION
STILL IN PRODUCTION
To cover in more detail the history of the Scots who came to Ulster, their role in the city and throughout the province and the island of Ireland, and their emigration and subsequent role in the formation of the United States.
(Visits to St Columb's Cathedral, the Blue Coat Heritage Centre and the Emigration Sculptures on the Strand Road could be included as part of an extended version of this tour).
AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING
To visit a number of the blue plaques located around the city
Please see promotional videos on You Tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v4bW5oDWFI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhmmMs94-CM&t=9s
AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING
To cover many of the sites of the Famous Siege in 1688/89 in detail and explain their historical significance, as well as other lesser known sieges and battles in the city's history, ancient and modern.
AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING
See the city and its historic buildings illuminated. A standard tour normally runs on a Thursday at 7.30 pm between October to March.
For groups, I can customise tours to begin from your city centre accommodation or other agreed meeting points,and at times,days and dates and for longer or shorter durations.
AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING
To walk around the "Maiden City" and present some of the sites and information about important women who have influenced its history.
IN DEVELOPMENT
To consider the life of some of the clerical characters from the city, and in particular the famous Earl Bishop of the city and how his life and building legacy have affected the city.
A visit to St Columb's Cathedral and/or other city buildings associated with the Bishop, could be included as part of this Tour, (with a further option to extend the Tour and visit Downhill and Mussenden Temple).
IN DEVELOPMENT
Either on a stand alone basis, or as an added option to the Bishop Hervey City Tour, enjoy a 1 or 2 hour tour around Downhill Demesne, one of the Bishop's famous residences.
An additional entrance fee may be payable to the National Trust for non-members
IN DEVELOPMENT
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To look at some of the sites of the city's rich industrial and maritime heritage.
IN DEVELOPMENT
As part of your tour, (with advance notice to the Cathedral staff), we can arrange a visit to the historic St Columb's Cathedral, the oldest building in the city. The visit will normally include a short video presentation of the history of the Cathedral and then a walk around the building itself, which is the resting place of Col Henry Baker and Capt Micaiah Browning, 2 heroes of the siege. The visit will conclude in the Chapter House Museum with a closer look at some of the items on display. Please allow approx 40 minutes for this visit. Please remember that this is a working church so visits may not be available if events or special services such as weddings or funerals are taking place.
Free Admission - A suggested minimum donation of £2 per person is requested to Cathedral Funds for Group Tours.
Highlights include:
First Edition of King James Bible
Silverware inc Promise Chalice
First Edition Accounts of the Siege
Historic Baptismal Records
Artefacts of the Siege
Artefacts of Bishop Hervey
Artefacts of Mrs C.F. Alexander
War Memorial Miniatures
As part of your tour, we normally visit the publicly accessible areas of the Guildhall. It has been one of the city's most recognisable landmarks since 1890. As well as being home to the Council chamber, and the Mayor's Parlour, it is a visitors destination in its own right.There is also a cafe located within the building and accessible toilets on ground and first floor. However, as it is a public building, it is regularly used for functions and some or all of its rooms may be unavailable to visit due to events taking place or being set up.
Special Features include:
Magnificent stained glass windows which tell the story of key events in the city's history.
An exhibition exploring the Plantation of Ulster with interactive displays.
Main hall with 1891 dated organ, one of largest in Ireland.
Time Capsule.
Free admission
The Guildhall staff may offer a more detailed guided tour of the building to groups at a cost, though advance booking is not possible . Please allow approx 60 mins for the full tour (if available). £2 fee per individual required for group guided tour
The Tower Museum, located in the replica 16th century O'Doherty Tower,houses 2 permanent exhibitions, the Story of Derry and the An Armada Shipwreck.
The Story of Derry shares the story of the city from early settlement,through the plantation,the growth of 18th and 19th centuries up to the modern day.
The An Armada Shipwreck - explores the story of La Trinidad Valencia, one of the largest ships in the Spanish Armada fleet which sank in Kinnegoe Bay, Co.Donegal in 1588. Artefacts including cannons recovered by the City of Derry Sub Aqua Club are on display.
Admission Fee required.
I am pleased to advise that I have negotiated a group discount rate for all customers on my tours.
The present building dates from 1872. It is a very ancient church and the most likely site of St. Columba's monastery founded 546 AD.
It was subsequently taken over by the Augustinian order.
From 1600, the Church, was used by the first settlers or planters and the cannonball containing the terms for surrender during the Siege 1688/1689 fell in the church graveyard.
The present building was consecrated by Bishop William Alexander, husband of the famous hymn writer, Cecil Frances Alexander.There are also many famous graves in the graveyard.
Free Admission - Donations Appreciated
The Blue Coat School Heritage Centre, situated adjacent to First Derry Presbyterian Church (entrance on right of Church), tells the story of how Presbyterians arrived in this area.
Presbyterians have worshipped in the City since the early 1600s, and the first Church on this site was built in 1690. It was the first Presbyterian Church in the City and is still the only Presbyterian Church within the City Walls.The 1690 Church was replaced by the present building in 1780, with the Dungiven sandstone vestibule added in 1820, and the portico & the four fluted columns with corinthian capitals in 1902 and again more recently restored in 2011.
Free Admission - Donations Appreciated
As part of your walking tour, we can take a diversion from the Walls and visit the Playhouse.The Playhouse is actually 2 buildings, and these were saved in 1990, by its founder Pauline Ross, bought for only £300, and a large restoration project ensued. It incorporates an 192 seater theatre gallery,and is also home to several resident theatre and dance companies, as well as being a busy community used resource centre for the arts and crafts.The public areas are usually always accessible, but by prior arrangement with the Playhouse staff, it may be possible to visit other interesting areas of the building, if not being used. The Playhouse on Artillery Street is linked by a courtyard to the old Sisters of Mercy Convent in Pump Street, which was originally built as the Kings Arms Hotel in 1780 for the Grand Jury. In 1840 the Kings Arms was put up for sale and was purchased by a Thomas Doherty of Muff for £1,210 acting on behalf of the Catholic Bishop. This was the original site of 4 schools including Thornhill and St Columb's Colleges.Please allow between 10 -20 minutes for this visit, depending on what areas are available for access.Free Admission
The current Long Tower Church dates from 1909,after it was extended through the leadership of Fr Willie Doherty.The original building opened in 1788, and was paid for by both Catholics and Protestants. It is believed to be located close to the Teampall Mor,built in 1164, which was the city's medieval cathedral accidentally destroyed by gunpowder stored by the army garrisoned in the city.The Church is beautifully decorated with stained glass and mosaics and floor inscriptions linking to St Columba.Outside the church is a ballum stone, set into a wall below a calvary scene, which had been moved from its original location beside the nearby St Columba's Well.Please remember that this is a working church so visits may not be available if events or special services such as weddings or funerals are taking place. The Saint Columba’s Heritage Centre (Aras Cholmcille) is located in the restored listed school building in the grounds of the Long Tower Church. The Saint Columba’s National School, known affectionately locally as the “Wee Nuns’ School”, dates from 1813 and after major restoration provides the city with a centre to promote the heritage and history of Saint Columba, the city’s founding father.The Heritage Centre exhibition offers a bespoke, interactive experience, that includes a facsimile of the Book of Kells, as well as items and objects relating to the 200 year history of the building.Please allow approx 60 minutes for this visit, including visit to the Church. £3 Admission Fee required.
The Bob Harte Memorial Trust researches, collates and disseminates information regarding local history and has established The Thiepval Gallery as an interpretative centre.
Opened in 2008, it is located at 18 George's Street, off Wapping Lane in the Fountain area.
The Gallery contains a number of storyboards, each one representing a decade in the Fountains history and above each of these is exhibited a painting of a representative event from each of the decades.
Admission only by advance booking.
Free Admission - Donations Appreciated
The Heritage Tower Museum is the last remaining part of the Derry Gaol, which was closed in 1953 and demolished in 1971.
The Gaol was once the prison home to famous Irish leaders, Wolfe Tone and De Valera and is located in the Fountain area of the city.
Today the Museum exhibits a very impressive collection of artifacts and memorabilia dating from World War One to the present day, the majority of which is owned by the Jackson family.
Admission is by appointment only and donations requested.
The Siege Museum is a purpose built visitor centre dedicated to the history of the siege of Londonderry and the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry.
The museum features artifacts,video and interactive media and is located adjacent to the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall,Society Street.It includes a replica of the statue of Governor Walker which originally stood on the column on the walls of the city, prior to its destruction by a bomb explosion in 1973.
Guided tours of the adjacent Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall available to groups by advance booking. Access to Walkers Plinth is currently only available through the Siege Museum)
Admission Fee required
Opened in 1853 and the property of the local council, it became the main burial place for all people in the City from 1867, after the graveyards of St Columb's Cathedral, St Augustine's and Long Tower Churches were closed for new burials. From 1970 and the onset of "the Troubles", Protestant families primarily used graveyards in the Waterside.
Some of the notable graves include those of the hymnwriter Cecil Frances Alexander and her husband Bishop William Alexander, and the locally born architect, John Guy Fergusson. In recent years it is more prominently known as the resting place for some of the deceased from Bloody Sunday and in the republican plot, that of the former Deputy First MInister,Martin McGuinness.
The cemetery is free to visit, though guided tours can be arranged through the Friends of the City Cemetery at the cost of £5 per individual -advance booking required.
The Beech hill Hotel stands on the site of the plantation home, Skipton House which was originally built in 1622. Over the past 400 years it has been in the ownership of three families who have helped shape the city and the county, the O'Cahans, the Kennedy-Skiptons and the Nicholsons. In 1989 the house was converted to a hotel.
When the United States entered WWII in 1941, the city of Londonderry was chosen by the US Navy as the location for its Base One Europe, and officers and men from the US Marine Corps were billeted in the house and estate now occupied by the Hotel.
The Hotel houses a museum room and a woodland trail which remembers that period 1942-1944 and the continuing links between the people of the city and the United States Armed Forces.
Entry to the museum and woodland trail are free, but since this is a working hotel, access may be restricted at times and advance notice of your visit is recommended.
Ashbrook has been the family home of the Ash family since before 1595 and are the only family to have lived in the same house continuously in the North West. They are recorded by the Honourable The Irish Society as one of only four native owners prior to the plantation.
The oldest part of the house was built circa 1590, and it was partly burned by Jacobite forces in 1689 when the Ash family were within the City walls. Captain Thomas Ash wrote the most widely accepted history of the Siege and his sister Jane was widowed when her husband Captain Browning of the Mountjoy was killed during the relief of the city.
In the 1940's, Ashbrook also played host to the US Marines as part of Base Camp One Europe, when it was owned by the current Beresford-Ash family.
Open by appointment only, admission charge of £5.
Located on the outskirts of the city on Church Road on the Waterside, this is an ancient burial ground where early Ulster Scots planters and siege defenders were laid to rest. In particular the graves of Colonels Murray and Mitchelburne are located here.
The graveyard is free to visit, though hard to find due to its location. Take particular care when parking and exiting your vehicle as there is no car park. Also be careful when in the graveyard due to the uneven nature of the ground and hidden broken headstones.
Located in the former Monreagh Presbyterian Church manse in Carrigans Co.Donegal approx 8 kms out from the city. The centre explains the rich heritage of Ulster-Scots of the Laggan district of East Donegal, from the time of the Ulster Plantation to their migration to the New World, and in particular the USA. The Centre also provides assistance and advice on those tracing their Donegal ancestors.
When visiting the city of Derry/Londonderry, please consider a trip to the neighbouring county of Donegal.
Activities available through KAYAK'S Donegal Travel Guide - see link below.
Millennium Forum
Bloody Sunday Memorial/Free Derry Corner
Craft Village
Craigavon Bridge
Foyleside Shopping Centre
Ness Woods