DERRY!!

Aisling Dunne

THE CITY WALLS

D

erry City Walls are one of, if not the, most iconic urban sites in Ireland. Telling

the story of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" in a nutshell. Having been closed to

the public for decades, the peace process has allowed them to become Derry's

most visited attraction.

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he Walls, which are approximately 1.5km in circumference, form a walkway

around the inner city and provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the

original town which still preserves its Renaissance Style street plan to this day. 

PORTSTEWART

Portstewart is a small town in Derry.

It is a seaside resort with tranquilize attractions.

Its harbour and scenic coastal paths form an Atlantic promenade leading to 2

miles of golden strand (Portstewart Strand).

Portstewart is probably best known for this sandy beach, popular with surfers.

Portstewart is one of the most integrated towns in Northern Ireland with the

religious demographics similar to the population of Northern Ireland as a

whole. Community relations are generally good within the town.

DOWNHILL ESTATE AND MUSSENDEN TEMPLE

Mussenden Temple is a small circular building located on cliffs near Castlerock in

County Derry.

It was built in 1785 and forms part of the estate of the 4th Earl of Bristol, Bishop

of Derry.

Now part of the National Trust property, the grounds encompassing Mussenden

Temple, and Downhill Estate are open to the public all year, from dawn to dusk. The

Temple offers views westwards over Downhill Strand towards Magilligan Point and

County Donegal and to the east Castlerock beach towards Portstewart.

The manor house, Downhill Castle fell into disrepair after the Second World War.

MOUNT SANDEL

At Mountsandel, in Coleraine, archaeologists have found evidence of a human settlement more than 9000 years old.

This makes Mountsandel the oldest known human settlement in Ireland. The evidence found there helps us understand how some of the first people in Ireland lived.

Most of the evidence found at Mount Sandel came from 7600-7900BC during the Mesolithic Period, the Middle Ages.

Other evidence found shows peole also lived here during the Neolithic Period, the New Stone Ages (4000-2500).

PEACE BRIDGE

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he Peace Bridge is a cycle and foot bridge across the River Foyle in

Derry. It opened on 25 June 2011, connecting Ebrington Square with

the rest of the city centre.

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he bridge is intended to improve relations between the largely unionist

'Waterside' with the largely nationalist 'Cityside', by improving access

between these areas, as part of wider regeneration plans.

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he 235 metre bridge was designed by Wilkinson Eyre.

CITY OF CULTURED

erry is the first ever UK City of Culture this year. A major honour for the city

and for Northern Ireland.  The city of culture is a year long celbration of

events,concerts and exhibitions throughout Derry.

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he Fleadh Cheoil is an Irish music competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí

Éireann (CCÉ). As part of the city of culture 2013 Fleadh Cheoil was held in

Derry from 11th to 18th August. This was the first time that the competition was

held north of the border since it started in 1951. Over the week 300,000 people

and 20,000 musicians descended on the city to compete in the Olympics of

traditional music. The Fleadh featured over 100 events, exclusive world class

collaborations and a dream team of performers including the late Seamus

Heaney.