Derry is the gateway to Ireland’s Northwest, a city resonant with centuries of heritage and passion, yet fresh as an Atlantic breeze. This 6th century city stands on a hill on the Foyle estuary and, for most of its history, has been an important seaport. The founding of the city has been attributed to St Columba before he set off on his Christian mission to the isles of Scotland.

Nearly a thousand years later, English merchants built the magnificent town walls that give Derry so much character today. A walk along the great 17th century walls, which are 6m high and a mile around, is the best way to see this historic city. Despite three sieges, the city was never breached, and the panels set into the wall near the eight bastions and four original gates explain the historical background of the nearby buildings and features, such as the great cannon, Roaring Meg.

Within the city walls is the heart of Derry, the only completely walled city in Ireland. Renowned for its architectural Georgian splendour, Derry is also home to St Columb’s Cathedral (1633), Western Europe’s first post-reformation cathedral containing the country’s oldest and largest bells. The Guildhall, with its stunning stained glass windows illustrating almost every episode of note of the city’s history, is the seat of local government. It was built in 1890 in a lavish neo-gothic style, and stands at the entrance to Shipquay Gate. Careful restoration coupled with sensitive new developments such as the Craft Village, and the Tower Museum housed in the 17th century O’Doherty’s Tower, have rejuvenated Derry’s walled city and enhanced its reputation as one of Ireland’s most priceless historical treasures.