Derry

Derry is a large city.

It sits by the River Foyle. The river flows through the city.

The city has very old walls. You can walk on them.

These walls were built to keep people safe. They are still standing today.

The name Derry means an oak grove. It is a very special place.

Derry is a large city in Northern Ireland.

It sits on both sides of the River Foyle. One side is called Cityside. The other side is called Waterside.

The city has a very old name. In Irish, the name means an oak grove.

In the past, people built high walls around the city. These walls were built to keep people safe. They were finished in 1619.

Derry is the only city in Ireland with walls that are still whole. You can walk along the top of the walls. This path lets you see the old streets below.

The walls have seven gates. Four of these gates are very old. They are Bishop's Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Butcher Gate, and Shipquay Gate. Because the walls were never broken during battles, people call it "the Maiden City."

Many people live in the city. In 2021, about 85,279 people lived there.

Derry is a large city in Northern Ireland.

It sits in County Londonderry. The city spreads across both sides of the River Foyle. The west bank is called Cityside. The east bank is called Waterside.

Two road bridges and one footbridge connect the two sides. The city is near the border of County Donegal. It is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland. In 2021, about 85,279 people lived in the city.

The city has a very long and interesting history. It is one of the oldest places in Ireland. People have lived there for thousands of years. In the 6th century, a holy man named Saint Columba founded a monastery. This settlement was originally called Doire. In the Irish language, this name means "oak-grove." Later, during the 1600s, the city was rebuilt by settlers. They changed the name to Londonderry to honor the London groups.

One of the most famous parts of the city is its walls.

These walls were built between 1613 and 1619. They were made to protect the new settlers. The walls are the largest monument in state care in Northern Ireland. They form a big walkway around the inner city. You can walk along the top to see the old streets.

There are seven gates in total. Four original gates are Bishop's Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Butcher Gate, and Shipquay Gate.

The city is known by many different names today.

While the official name is Londonderry, most people simply call it Derry. This can sometimes cause confusion. In the Republic of Ireland, people almost always use the name Derry. In Northern Ireland, official signs often use Londonderry.

Because the walls were never broken during battles, people call it "the Maiden City." Some people also call it "Stroke City." This is a joke about how people use both names.

Derry is a place where many different things happen.

In 2013, it was the first UK City of Culture. The city has many important buildings and places to visit. There is the Derry City and Strabane District Council. The area also includes the Londonderry Port and the City of Derry Airport. Even though the name is debated, the city remains a very important part of Ireland.

Derry is a major city located in Northern Ireland.

It is the second-largest city in the country. The city sits within County Londonderry. It stretches across both banks of the River Foyle. The west bank is known as Cityside. The east bank is known as Waterside.

Two road bridges and one footbridge connect these two sides. The city is located near the border of County Donegal. This area has shared close links for many centuries.

The city's name is a subject of much discussion. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish word Doire. This translates to "oak-grove" or "oak-wood."

The name changed to Londonderry in 1613. This happened during the Plantation of Ulster. London guilds established the city during this time. The official name is Londonderry according to a royal charter from 1662.

A High Court decision in 2007 confirmed this official status. However, the name Derry is used very commonly in everyday life.

Different communities often prefer different names. Nationalists and the Catholic community generally prefer the name Derry. This name is also used almost exclusively in the Republic of Ireland. Many Unionists prefer the name Londonderry. In Northern Ireland, official road signs often use Londonderry.

Some people call the city "Stroke City." This nickname refers to the use of both names. The city's local council has also seen name changes. In 1984, it became Derry City Council. In 2015, it merged to form the Derry City and Strabane district.

Derry is one of the oldest inhabited places in Ireland. The earliest historical records date back to the 6th century. A holy man named Saint Columba founded a monastery there. The settlement was originally called Doire. It was located on the west bank of the Foyle. For much of history, it was a monastic settlement. The town became more important during the Tudor conquest. In 1608, the chieftain Sir Cahir O'Doherty attacked the town. He burnt much of it during O'Doherty's Rebellion.

The city is famous for its massive stone walls.

These walls were built between 1613 and 1619. The Honourable The Irish Society organized the construction. They built the walls to protect early settlers. These fortifications are the largest monument in state care in Northern Ireland. They are among the finest in Europe. The walls create a walkway around the inner city.

This allows visitors to see the original Renaissance-style street plan.

The walls feature several important gates. There are seven gates in total. The four original gates are Bishop's Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Butcher Gate, and Shipquay Gate. Later, builders added Magazine Gate, Castle Gate, and New Gate.

The walls were never breached during famous battles. This includes the Siege of Derry from 1688 to 1689. This siege lasted for 105 days. Because the walls held, the city earned the nickname "The Maiden City." The city was also the first planned city in Ireland. It used a grid pattern that was later copied in North America.

Today, the city is a vibrant center for culture and commerce.

In 2013, Derry served as the inaugural UK City of Culture. The population was 85,279 in the 2021 census. The wider Derry Urban Area had 105,066 people in 2011. The region includes the Londonderry Port and the City of Derry Airport. Many local businesses use neutral names to respect all residents. For example, they might use names like Foyle or Pennyburn. This helps to avoid choosing one name over the other. The city remains a vital part of the Irish landscape.