Derry (Londonderry)

We found the most amazing guide to show us the town of Derry. He gave us the history of Derry (also known as Londonderrry). It’s the second largest city in Northern Ireland and its history dates back over 1,450 years.

The city is split into two main areas by the River Foyle - The east side of the river -Waterside and west side of the Foyle- The City Side. The east side is traditionally the home of the unionist (read Protestant) population. The west side the home of the nationalist (read Catholic). The city walls were built in the reign of King James I and have been a major part of the turbulent history of the city. In 1668, the city was attacked by the Earl of Antrim and the forces of the Catholic, James II (who had been deposed in favor the William of Orange (a Protestant). The citizens of Londonderry- Protestants – barricaded themselves inside the walls, starting the Great Siege of Derry. The siege lasted 105 days and a third of the population died from disease and starvation. In recent years, British soldiers shot 14 Catholics in the Bogside area on a day known as Bloody Sunday.