Vacation Guide

Ireland golf vacation guide : To do and see

DERRY

Amelia Earhart Exhibition Centre – situated on the northern edge of Derry, the centre tells the story of Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo. She landed in Derry in 1932 having mistakenly assuming she was landing at her intended destination, Paris.

Bloody Sunday Memorial – situated on the Catholic Bogside area of Derry, the memorial commemorates 13 unarmed civilians, shot by the British Army during a protest march in 1972. This remains one of the worst atrocities committed during the course of the troubles in the North.

Derry City – the city’s origins can be traced back to St. Colmcille, who founded a monastic settlement here in 546. Successive attempts by English rulers to suppress the local chieftains led to King James I offering the land to English and Scottish settlers in 1609. The city of London was given the authority to settle the area, which it did by rebuilding the town within a mile-long wall, accessed by four main gates. Today, visitors can walk around the walls passing the 17th century cannons that protected the city.

Guildhall – situated in Derry City, this is a beautifully restored building and is the seat of the local government. Bombed twice in 1972, the building boasts some fine examples of stained-glass windows.

Long Tower – said to be Derry City’s oldest Catholic church, Long Tower is built on the original site of Colmcille’s monastery and now contains most of the artifacts relating to the saint, including a kneeling stone.

Mussenden Temple – perched on the edge of a cliff, just a short walk from the ruined bishop’s palace at Downhill, this curious building offers spectacular views of the sea.

Roe Valley Country Park – stretching either side of the Roe River, which echoed to the sound of clattering water mills in linen times, today, visitors can see the weaving-shed museum and the watchtowers that overlooked the riverbanks where linen was laid out for bleaching by the sun.

Tower Museum – it is quite hard to avoid the past in Derry and the Tower Museum recounts the city’s history up to the present day with some interesting facts on show and harrowing tales to be told.