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Northern Ireland
The City Walls Of Derry
The most visibly striking historic feature of the city is the historic walls. It is the only remaining completely walled City in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe and they have been kept in a splendid state of preservation. The Walls were built by The Honourable The Irish Society as defences for early seventeenth century settlers from England and Scotland - the settlement was a plan of Plantation by James I. The building of the city was financed by the trade Guilds of the City of London and work began in 1613 and finished in 1618 under the supervision of Sir Edward Doddington of Dungiven. The prefix London was thus added to the name of the city and the city of Londonderry became the jewel in the crown of the Ulster Plantations. The Walls which are approximately 1.5km in circumference form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town which still preserves its Rennaissance style street plan to this day. The four original gates Shipquay, Ferryquay, Bishop and Butcher gates have all been rebuilt and three new gates added – Magazine, Castle and New Gate. There are canon mounted throughout the Walls most notably above Shipquay Gate. These were donated by the Guilds of London in 1649.Guided tours available all year round.
Opening timesOpen to the public from dawn until dusk.
Free access all year round.
Guided tours available all year round.
PricesAdmission Free
Ulster American Folk Park
Northern Ireland Visitor Attraction this is an outdoor museum of emigration which tells the story of millions of people who emigrated from these shores throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The Old World and New World layout of the Park illustrates the various aspects of emigrant life on both sides of the Atlantic. Traditional thatched buildings, American log houses and a full-scale replica emigrant ship and the dockside gallery help to bring a bygone era back to life. Costumed demonstrators go about their everyday tasks in a traditional manner in authentically furnished buildings. Visitors are able to taste traditional fayre and see demonstrations on traditional Irish and American crafts and agriculture including spinning, printing, blacksmithing and textiles. The museum also includes an indoor ‘Emigrants’ Exhibition and includes a Centre for Migration Studies/library which is accessible to all visitors. A full programme of special events is organised throughout the year including the award winning annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival (first weekend in September) and the ever popular Hallowe’en Festival.
Opening timesOpen Easter-Sept: Mon-Sat 10.30am - 6.00pm, Sun/Public Hols 11.00am - 6.30pm; Oct-Easter: Mon-Fri 10.30am – 5.00pm,
closed w/ends/Public Hols (ex St. Patrick’s Day).
Last admission 1 hour 30min before closing.
PricesAdult £4.50/€7 Conc. £2.50/€4
Children 4 and under: Free
2 adult Family ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children) £11.50; 1 adult Family ticket (1 adult & up to 3 children) £9.00
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