Category: Our Tours

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Promoting Derry in the US

Charlene McCrossan travelled to the US with Tourism Ireland in February 2023, to ensure visitors were putting Derry on their list of must see travel destinations.

Dallas, Texas

First stop on Monday 6th February, was Dallas, Texas.  Tourism Ireland hosted an evening dinner event in the beautiful Joule Hotel.  We met with almost 100 tour operators and travel Agents, showcasing Ireland as a visitor destination.  Included in the Ireland team alongside Martin McCrossan tours was Hastings Hotels, CIE Tours, Brendan Vacations, Guinness Storehouse , Jameson Whiskey and many more.  We were sure to give Dallas a fabulous taste of Ireland.

Houston, Texas

In the early hours of Tuesday 7th February we embarked on a coach journey to beautiful Houston where we again hosted many agents and operators at the divine Briar Club. A beautiful setting to promote a beautiful travel destination! 

Denver, Colorado

A 5am start on the morning of Wednesday 8th February took us to Houston airport to fly to chilly Colorado.  The air may have been cold, but we certainly received a warm welcome at the Ritz Carlton in Denver.  At our evening event, I was delighted to meet honorary Irish consul James Lyons, who succeeded George Mitchell in 1997 as Special Advisor to the President.  Mr Lyons played a crucial role in our Peace Process and has written the book “Where Peace Meets the Streets”, it covers our pathway to peace in Northern Ireland and all proceeds from the book goes to the families of the Omagh bomb victims.

Beverly Hills, Los Angeles

Another early start on Thursday 9th February took us on a flight to beautiful Beverly Hills.  The Maybourne hotel provided a perfect location to showcase our offerings to travel trade in the evening.  On Friday 10th February, Tourism Ireland hosted a media lunch for many media outlets in the area – Entertainment Tonight, IGN movies, NY Post and many more!  We had beautiful Irish music from the amazing Mairtin De Cogain – a perfect way to end a jam packed week!

A fantastic week showcasing Ireland and especially Derry as a visitor destination with lots of interest in our historic city and lots of laughs about Derry Girls.  We are hoping that this trip has helped to get our offerings known on the US West coast and provide a welcome boost to our industry. A huge thanks is due to Tourism Ireland for putting on a fantastic event over the 5 day period and for inviting Martin McCrossan tours to be a part of it!  

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peace bridge

Top 10 Things to do in Derry

Are you visiting the city ? Looking for things to do in Derry ? Then look no further – we have you covered !  Check out some of our top attractions to visit in Derry / Londonderry.

 

Walk the 400 year old City Walls

the first thing to do in Derry when you arrive – great viewpoints of the city and an added bonus is that the City walls surround the city centre so it’s a fantastic way to get your bearings!

Visit the Guildhall

Did you know that one of the top things to do in Derry is something that cannot be done anywhere else in the World?  If you visit our City Hall the Guildhall, then you can view the Nobel Peace Prize, the Gandhi Prize for Peace and the Martin Luther King Prize for Peace all side by side.  The legendary John Hume who came from our city is the only person in the world to have won all 3 of these prizes, worth your time for that reason and many more!

Visit the Murals

The Bogside murals were painted by the Bogside Artists, these murals depict the difficult time period in the city’s history known as the Troubles 1968 – 1998. Visit the Bloody Sunday memorial garden and the Free Derry Corner.

Also be sure to visit the Derry Girls mural painted by UV Arts in 2019.

Peace Bridge

Connecting both the East bank and West bank of the River Foyle, offering pedestrians and cyclists a way to peacefully travel from one to the other, the peace bridge opened in 2011. The ‘S’ Shaped design reflects the meandering pathway to peace, the bridge is a metaphor for strength through adversity and a symbol of peace. If you walk from West to East you will find yourself in Ebrington Square, a former Army Barracks with listed buildings which are now home to breweries, restaurants and bakeries.  Soon to be the home of a new hotel and our long awaited Maritime Museum.

 

The Tower Museum

The Tower Museum is located within the walled city and features two permanent exhibitions, “The Story of Derry” and “An Armada Shipwreck-La Trinidad Valencera”, also boasting a contemporary exhibition space and open air viewing facility. Definitely worth your time and avail of discounted entry if you take a walking tour with ourselves.

St Columb's Cathedral

One of the city’s most historical buildings, completed in 1633 making it the worlds first purpose built Anglican Cathedral, displaying artefacts from the siege. Named after St Columb/ St Columba, the patron saint of the city who established a Christian settlement here in the sixth century, the cathedral is built in the Planter Gothic Style. How exceptional to walk inside a building laced in so much history.

Shopping in the City

The city’s best kept secret, the craft village features an array of unique artefacts created by Derry’s own collection of artists and makers. From bespoke jewellery inspired by the undulating Irish landscape to contemporary fashion designers and beautiful dried floral bouquets, purchase something you know nobody else would have, or simply immerse yourself in the colour, craft and creativity! Cake shops, cafes and the fine dining restaurant Artis will make sure to give you fuel for plenty of shopping.  We also are the home of two fabulous shopping malls Foyleside and Richmond Centre and have many high street stores in between!

Selfie with the Derry Girls

Visiting the Derry Girls mural will have you diving into the colloquialisms originally picked up from the hit Channel 4 drama “Derry Girls”. Make all ‘yer muckers’ jealous with a pic of you beside Erin, Orla, Michelle, Clare and James.  Painted by UV Arts in 2019 on the gable wall of Badgers Bar, be sure to pop in for a pint or a fantastic pub grub lunch.

Museum of Free Derry

Run by the families of the victims of of the troubles period 1968-1998 , learn about the Civil Rights movement in the city up to Bloody Sunday, located amongst the ‘Peoples Gallery’ murals in the Bogside.

Siege Museum

Run by the Apprentice Boys, learn more about the Siege of 1689 and the marching traditions in the city and across Northern Ireland.  Located just off the walls on Society Street next door to the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall.

There are so many fantastic things to see and do in our wonderful city, this is why we feel so passionate about our role as tour guides.  Come join a walking tour with us to learn and explore more!  Tours operate 7 days a week at 10am, 12noon, 2pm & 4pm and cost only £6pp.  There is no need to book this tour – all you have to do is show up at 11 Carlisle Road at your preferred time.  We look forward to sharing our city, our history and our culture with you!

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