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In the mood for a true-blue Irish getaway–  visit Derry!

Derry, officially named Londonderry, is one of Ireland’s oldest inhabited places and one of Europe’s few remaining walled cities. The population is approximately 107,000, as of the Census in 2001.

Derry’s history makes it a special place to visit. Its magnificent, mile-long city walls were never penetrated during the Great Siege of Derry in the late 17th century, thus earning the city the nickname Maiden City. Local radio presenter Gerry Anderson also nicknamed it as the ‘Stroke City’ due to the occasional ‘politically correct’ use of the oblique notation Derry/Londonderry or Londonderry/Derry.

Derry is famous for being an Irish music hotspot and for its bizarre pop cultural pilgrimage in honor of U2 for their song of events. Not only that, it also has the world’s coolest city coat of arms – a skeleton, a three-towered castle, a red cross and sword. The sword and cross are devices of the City of London and show the link between the two cities. The castle is thought to relate to a 13th or 14th century keep belonging to the local native chieftains. The skeleton is thought to be that of a Norman knight who was starved to death in the castle dungeons in 1332.

If you want to know more about Derry’s history, you can check out three of its most prominent museums – The Tower Museum, The Harbour Museum and the Foyle Valley Railway Museum.

The Tower Museum features a permanent exhibition tracing the story of Spanish Armada ship, La Trinidad Valencera. The Harbour Museum regularly displays temporary exhibitions. Foyle Valley Railway Centre hosts an exciting and fascinating collection of railway artifacts including the majestic County Donegal Railway steam locomotive ‘Columbkille’ and diesel railcars No. 12 (1932) and No. 18 (1942). The museum celebrates the outstanding railway history of the city.

Some of Derry’s exciting attractions are Templemore Sports Complex, Amelia Earhart Centre and Wildlife Sanctuary, Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, The Bogside, Murals by the Bogside Artists, Grianan of Ailech (Royal seat of the Ui Neill family for 700 years), Guildhall, St Columb’s Cathedral, Foyle Bridge, and Craigavon Bridge.

When it comes to food, Derry has a wide selection of restaurants and pubs that will cater to your tastes. So whether you prefer to dine in a high class restaurant or eat in a local pub, you will find your eating experience most enjoyable.

Some of Derry’s popular restaurants include: Danano’s, a nice Italian restaurant that is relatively cheap but great food; The Exchange Restaurant and Wine Bar, an exciting city centre restaurant and wine bar offering quality wine and innovative food at affordable prices; Badgers, a great port of call for lunch while shopping; and Mandarin Palace, which provides patrons quality food service and luxury surroundings.

If you feel like listening to traditional Irish folk music sessions, Peadar O’Donnell’s is the best place to go. Such sessions are held nearly every day of the week, and both locals and visitors create a nice atmosphere. Meanwhile, the adjoining Gweedore Bar offers a spiritual haven for hardcore, indie types still mourning the untimely demise of Cobain and Hendrix.

Derry is also a shopper’s paradise. Home to the world’s oldest independent department store Austins, Derry is sure to offer something that will suit every taste and every pocket. The city’s designer boutiques situated throughout the city centre offer everything the more discerning shopper could ask for, including catwalk couture and lesser-known gems from local designers. If you’re looking for souvenirs, you’ll find something extra special, from traditional Irish gifts, stone crafts, local handmade jewelry and crystal.

If you visit Derry between October and November, then you’ll surely witness the now world-famous “Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival,” the first and longest running Halloween carnival in the whole of Ireland.

If you want your Derry experience to be filled with days full of laughs, then March is the best time to visit the city when it hosts the Big Tickle Comedy Festival. In April, Derry holds the annual City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, and in November, the Foyle Film Festival, the biggest film festival in Northern Ireland.

Every summer, the city is host to many events including the Foyle Regatta, Gasyard Féile, Foyle Cup, Cycling, Maiden City and Celtronic Festivals, and Tomo-Dachi.

What are you waiting for?  Get a travel package to Derry, Londonderry, or Stroke City. Or whatever name it comes by, don’t wait for the next lifetime!

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