County Londonderry

County Londonderry is well-known for a number of things: its wild Atlantic coast, its famous siege and, of course, Derry~Londonderry, a historic walled city that acts as a cosmopolitan gateway between two epic touring routes – the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route.

Sitting snug on the River Foyle, Derry~Londonderry is Ireland’s only surviving walled city and one of the finest in Europe. The walls were built in the 17th century to protect the plantations that moved here under the orders of King James I.

But don’t think for a second that those walls hem it in. This is a buzzing, modern city with great pubs, fantastic restaurants, and a lively cultural scene.

Wander the bustling streets or cross the Peace Bridge and you’ll sense an energy in the air.

This is a place where things happen, whether it’s the Foyle Maritime Festival sweeping into the Foyle Marina, or a huge Halloween carnival that weaves through nearly every street.

Or there are plenty of concerts, plays and exhibitions happening in the city’s impressive selection of venues and art galleries.

You can see traces of Derry~Londonderry’s more recent history at the riveting Museum of Free Derry, and its political murals, like the famous Free Derry Corner – in the city’s Bogside neighbourhood.

If you want to learn more about the Bogside, the Bogside History Tours will be happy to talk you through the neighbourhood's history, or they can also take you on a taxi tour around the city, where you can learn all about the fascinating facts behind the city’s most famous landmarks.