Tourism NI's ONLY  5* Tour of Derry-Londonderry

Providing Tours of Derry / Londonderry for over 25 years

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Retail Therapy

Shopping in the City

Shopping in Derry is like no other, we have so much pride in our local vendors and high street heroes.  Check out our top tips if you are planning a shopping spree in the city.

Foyleside Shopping Centre

Right where our tours begin we have Foyleside Shopping Centre.  Boasting over 50 stores to ensure that you can find whatever you may be looking for.  Grab the essentials in Boots Chemist or Marks & Spencers, indulge in a sneaky bite from McDonald’s or the food court on Level 3 and treat your loved ones to a gift from Rituals or Yankee Candle.  There is something for everyone at Foyleside!

The Craft Village

A hidden gem in the city home to many local traders. 

A traditional Irish village , home of the Shirt factory mural and authentic thatch roof cottage. Experience some fine dining in Artis restaurant, or grab an award winning scone from The Cottage whilst exploring some of our city’s finest artists – from cake shops to design makers and from book stores to fashion this is an opportunity not to be missed on your visit to the city. 

The Richmond Centre

With 35 of your favourite high street retailers under one roof the Richmond Centre has something for everyone.  Pop into Mermaid Cove and treat yourself to some locally produced bath salts or into Equivalenza to pick your favourite scent – you will not be disappointed! 

On wandering throughout the city, please also be sure to pop into our local traders in and around the walled city.  Top recommendations from us include ‘Ferry Clever’ on Bishop Street for all your gifting needs and ‘Vine’ on Shipquay Street for local charcuterie, candles and homewares.

Be sure to join a Martin McCrossan City Tour to get your bearings on the walled city – a first stop shop to navigate the rest of your stay!

Our guide Garvin with Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee at Ferry Clever

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Charlene November 4, 2019 0
guildhall pic (2)
History of Derry / Londonderry

Museums In the City

Our city has such a diverse and rich history so it is only right that we have a range of museums to showcase that.  Each of our museums are totally different to the others, giving an immersive experience into cultures in our city.

The Tower Museum

The Tower Museum is the main council run museum in the city and is fantastic value at only £4pp.  In this museum they have 2 permanent exhibitions ‘The Story of Derry’ which gives an insightful background into all of the city’s history with artefacts and collections and their second exhibition is ‘La Trinidad Valencera’ – which covers the history of the Spanish Armada ship which sunk off the coast of our neighbouring county Donegal in 1588.  Discovered in 1971 off Kinnagoe Bay in Donegal, the Tower Museum now hosts the fantastic exhibiton exploring its discovery and its history.

Until 24th March 2023 and running in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday agreement,  the Tower Museum are running a temporary exhibition showcasing Peace Heroines of our region.  This fantastic exhibition celebrates local woman working across political and religious divides to create a more peaceful future for generations to come.  This exhibit is one not to be missed!

The Tower Museum, Union Hall Place, Londonderry BT48 6LU 

Museum of Free Derry

Based in the Bogside, an area of the city which seen extremely difficult times during the Troubles 1968-1998, The Museum of Free Derry is a must visit.  Run by families of victims of the troubles – learn about the civil rights movement up until Bloody Sunday 1972.  The story is told from the point of view of those who were most affected and involved by these events.  Be sure to explore the Bogside area also while visiting – Free Derry Corner, the murals and the Bloody Sunday Memorial Garden will offer powerful insights into our history.

Museum of Free Derry
Bloody Sunday Trust
55 Glenfada Park
Derry, BT48 9DR

The Siege Museum

Located in the heart of the Walled City, delve deeper into the tragic events of the Siege of the walled city in 1689.  Originally 13 Apprentice Boys shut the gates shouting “No Surrender” and today there are thousands of Apprentice Boys who commemorate this time period in our history.   This museum is run by current Apprentice Boys who are passionate about their role in the city’s cultural traditions.  Read the Siege menu, see a replica of the statue of Governor Walker and learn about one of the city’s longest running organisations.

The Siege Museum, 13 Society Street, Londonderry BT48 6PJ

The Guildhall

The Heart of the City.  Our working city hall with our Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour no visit to Derry would be complete without a stop here.  Extensively rennovated in 2013, the Guildhall is an architectural delight and boasts the largest pipe organ in the country with 3132 pipes.  Beautiful stained glass windows lend extra light into the main hall, each window telling a story of a significant part of our city’s history.  The ground floor also has an exhibition on ‘The Plantation of Ulster’.

As of December 2022, our city hall became the only place in the world where you can view the Nobel Peace Prize, Gandhi Prize for peace and the Martin Luther King prize for Peace side by side by side – with a fabulous exhibition on one our our city’s greatest John Hume – the only person in the world to have won all 3 major Peace Prizes.

Guildhall Street, Derry BT48 6DQ

Coming soon – our new Maritime Museum is expected to open in 2024, covering the history of our city’s role in World War 2, the U Boat surrender in the River Foyle in 1945 and the history of ‘Europe Base 1’ Ebrington Square.

Be sure to join a Martin McCrossan Tour of the city to gain a full background of all aspects of the city’s history.  Tours everyday at 10am,12noon, 2pm and 4pm and the cost is only £6pp.  No need to book – just show up at 11 Carlisle Road at your preferred day and time.

 

~Charlene McCrossan 

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Charlene November 4, 2019 0
peace bridge
Our Tours

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.

guildhall pic (2)
charlene guiding on walls pic
garvin guiding at DG mural
charlene double bastion pic

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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Charlene November 1, 2019 0