Location: Derry
Top Things to do in Derry
What to do and see in Derry, Northern Ireland: The Best Things to do
Derry (/ˈdɛri/), officially Londonderry (/ˈlʌndənˌdɛri/), is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-largest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Old Irish name Daire (modern Irish: Doire) meaning "oak grove". In 1613, the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James I and gained the "London" prefix to reflect the funding of its construction by the London guilds. While the city is more usually known colloquially as Derry, Londonderry is also commonly used and remains the legal name.
Restaurants in Derry
1. Tower Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 472 reviews
A museum explaining the political conflict that has shaped the city and the country: a must for those unfamiliar with Northern Ireland's war-torn past.
Reviewed By 890jacc
The museum is very interesting and outstandingly good value. Take time to watch he 15 min film at the end as it bought everything together and was very informative. The free exhibition at the start is good too.
2. Bloody Sunday Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 281 reviews
Reviewed By Johnny5588 - Austin, United States
This monument was especially poignant since the first victim's name was the father of our tour guide that morning.
3. City Walls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,381 reviews
Reviewed By holly74limerick - County Clare, Ireland
Great walk along the walls of Derry Steeped in history Loads to read along the way & simple write ups Highly recommend
4. Free Derry Corner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 346 reviews
Reviewed By vince23 - Naro, Italy
We are talking about a place not in Africa nor in South America, we are talking about a place in Europe where a certain kind of people couldn't vote nor to have a job. This place is called Derry (someone goes on calling it Londonderry) and is situated in the North of Ireland. If you go there, visit it and you will realize how liberty and rights can established and defended.
5. Guildhall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 954 reviews
The historic Guildhall is one of Derry's most recognisable landmarks, located in the heart of the city since 1890. The Guildhall is a must see visitor attraction with over 20 magnificent stained glass windows representing the history of the city and the Plantation of Ulster exhibition . The newly refurbished and award winning Guildhall provides a unique and state of the art venue for events. The main hall has a capacity of up to 600 standing or 400 seated and provides a stunning backdrop for corporate hire, conferences, events and civil ceremonies. The Whittaker Suite can accommodate up to 60 and is the perfect space for business meetings, functions and civil ceremonies. All spaces are equipped with state of the art technology for sound, audio and lighting.
Reviewed By Fortiche - France, null
Well worth a visit ! The guildhall is beautiful inside and outside. This must see landmark looks like a church, but it is not one.The architecture is stunning (it has been refurbished recently !) The stained glass windows were donated by the Guilds of London, hence the name. It is free to the public. It is gorgeous & educational thanks to the historic exhibit. Let us not forget the huge organ in the main hall ! There is a good café at the back of the building and a nice view of the river and the peace bridge.
6. The Craft Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By Whatstheuseofwondrin - Derry, United Kingdom
This little gem in side the City Walls (Derry) is so well hidden some people don't find it! Walk half way up Shipquay St and there's an entrance on your right! As you walk through you see Edel McBrides Wool Shop and on the wall to the left the magnificent Factory Girls Mural showing the history of the City's famous shirt factory industry the world leader in days gone by. The factory in the mural Tillie & Henderson was the largest in the world at the time! Opposite there is Craft19 Design shop. On through Gate Cafe, Irish Shop, Walled City Crafters, Sass & Halo, Foyle Books, Salon One (have your hair done) City of Derry Crystal, Derry Design Makers,Blu Moon, Funky Cakes. The Cottage Craft Gallery & Coffee Shop (great crepes), Foyle Books So much to see. At different times there can be entertainment in the square in here. You can walk on through here and come out on Magazine street and the famous Derry Walls are right in front of you.
7. The Bogside Artists
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 242 reviews
You can tour the famous murals of the Bogside in the company of the three artists who painted them. Known world wide as "The Bogside Artists", we created all twelve murals of The People's Gallery of the Bogside Derry. We give tours of our work and explain to you in a way nobody else can their creation and the history they depict. You could be on one of our tours by simply booking via our website or giving us a call.
Reviewed By LindaK631 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
I think the murals and the associated storyboards and history in Bogside are absolutely wonderful and an excellent way to learn more about the history of Derry and especially the Bogside. The murals tell a very moving story and they’re done beautifully with a range of subjects and historical moments. We took a Taxi Company tour because we were just transiting through Derry on a long haul drive but wanted to see the history. The tour certainly got us round the murals relatively quickly and up to the cemetery and was hugely informative, though extremely partisan and we would have loved to have heard a neutral view of the history - if there is such a thing. But this kind of way of remembering critical moments in history is fantastic and I think the murals are an amazing memorial.
8. Museum of Free Derry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 810 reviews
The award-winning Museum of Free Derry recently re-opened its doors in the Bogside following an extensive redevelopment and offers a full multi-media exhibition on the civil rights and early conflict era in the city, including Battle of the Bogside, Internment, Bloody Sunday and Operation Motorman. The museum was established by the Bloody Sunday Trust in 2006 to tell the story of the civil rights movement and the creation of Free Derry in the 1960s and 1970s, and it has become an important part of Ireland’s radical and civil rights heritage. It tells the story of how a largely working class community rose up against the years of oppression it had endured. The struggle of Free Derry is part of a wider struggle in Ireland and internationally for freedom and equality for all. In 2018, the Museum of Free Derry was named Authentic NI Experience of the Year at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards in Belfast. Admission Price (as of Nov 2019) Adults - £7 Student/Conc - £5 and Groups 10+ - £4.
Reviewed By joke1451
Great little museum, right in the centre of where the 1972 Bloody Sunday atrocity took place. There are a lot of interesting artefacts from Bloody Sunday, the NICRA movement in the lead up to it, and general stuff from the troubles including state force's uniforms, rubber & plastic bullets, and CS cannisters used against the protestors across NI. There are many poignant reminders of that fateful day for so many such as the handkerchief waved by Fr (Edward Daly, the jacket worn by Michael McDaid with the visible bullet holes (entry through the lower back and exit through the shoulder) and spent bullets from the day. The museum appears to be run by volunteers many of whom are close relatives of those murdered, John Kelly (a lifelong campaigner for justice for his brother Michael and the other victims) was there when we visited, engaging with everybody in a most genial manner. Another volunteer, Jimmy, engaged with us from time to time on the tour, telling many poignant and often humerous tales from his Bogside youth and his interaction with the troubles, a nice gracious man. You get a discount if you've done the Bogside Walking Tour This Museum is a must see if visiting Derry
9. Peace bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,302 reviews
Reviewed By wendyl924
If your trip brings you to Derry-Londonderry on the train, you can take a short walk to the roundabout then go down the stairs toward to cross the Peace Bridge. If you arrive on the bus, the bridge is just across from the station. No matter the weather, you should take this walk! Gently arching across the river Foyle, you’ll have beautiful views of the walled city and surrounding hills. A must do on your trip to Derry-Londonderry!
10. Walled city Londonderry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 589 reviews
Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Trim, Ireland
Derry is a beautiful town, it really is. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, mainly the hours spent wandering along the top of the city walls descending here and there to visit various churches, museums, murals, monuments and streets. The walls date from the early 1600's and have seen it all in their day from the Siege of 1688 to the troubles of the late 20th century. The walls and their Bastions offer great views of the city and there are copious amounts of plaques and billboards giving information about the cannons and weaponry on the walls and the history of each of the many gates along the walls. The walls mean the City is compact but just outside them too you have the Bogside with the amazing murals on the gables of the houses. The Guild Hall is another highlight as well as the Peace Bridge behind it. Inside the walls you have the likes of the iconic St Columbs Cathedral, War Memorial and the superb Tower Museum. I really cannot recall enjoying a day as a tourist as much as I did exploring the walled city of Derry. What an utter gem.
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