An Carn
Also called Carntogher Community Association, An Carn aims to develop a prosperous and environmentally sustainable rural community through the promotion of economic, social, cultural and environmental projects. The association was formed in 1992 to promote the regeneration of the Sleacht Néill/ Carn Tóchair area just outside Maghera County Derry. The restoration and promotion of vibrant Irish-speaking community is central to the ethos and values of An Carn.
Free Derry
In 1969, as part of the campaign to achieve civil rights was starting to gain momentum in Northern Ireland, the phenomenon known as Free Derry happened when, after a series of raids by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Derry left a number of people seriously injured, community leaders in the Bogside area erected barricades and declared that the police had no permission to enter the area. A sign was painted on a gable wall on Rossville Street declaring “You Are Now Entering Free Derry”. In August 1969, after an Apprentice Boys march, violence flared again and the barricades were re-erected. A three day confrontation between local youths and the RUC, known as the Battle of the Bogside, ensued and is generally seen as being the start of the Troubles. In 1972, as a banned anti-internment march was approaching the city centre, the Parachute regiment attacked the march and drove people into Rossville Street where they killed 13 unarmed men in what was to be known as Bloody Sunday. In July 1972, the British Army successfully dismantled all the barricades, ending Free Derry. The area around Free Derry wall, as the gable came to be known, is now a major tourist attraction and the murals that chart the history of the Troubles in the area as well as the Bloody Sunday monument and the Museum of Free Derry are all within 400 yards of the wall.
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is a purpose built Irish language arts and cultural centre. It is part of the An Gaeláras group and opened as a new premises in Great James Street, Derry on 4th September 2009. The building is a space for learning, creativity, exploration and enterprise and a beacon for the Irish speakers throughout the area. The building itself, designed by O'Donnell and Tuomey, has won architectural awards and hosts regular Irish language classes, concerts and exhibitions. It also has a café and drop-in centre. It is hoped that the building will be the hub for a “Gaeltacht Quarter” in the city to develop the Irish language facilities available to the community.
Derry City Walls
Derry is the only remaining walled city in Ireland and was reputedly the last walled city to be built in Europe. Work commenced on the city’s defences in 1613 and they were finished by 1619. They proved their worth in the Siege of Derry in 1689 when they resisted the attack of King James’ forces for almost a year until they were relieved by William of Orange’s army. It is one of the few cities where the walls remain intact for the full length of their encirclement. That means that the tourist has a ready-made vantage point to see the inner city, which still retains its Renaissance style layout. All the gates to the city through the walls are now roads and the arches above them have carvings that reflect the history of the city. Guided tours of the walls which give the tourists a historical insight and a chance to see iconic images like Free Derry Wall, are available all year.
Apprentice Boys’ Memorial Hall
The Hall was opened in 1877, dedicated to the memory of the thirteen apprentice boys who closed the city gates in 1688. In 1937 the hall was extended along Society Street. The extension is dedicated to the memory of those who died in "The Great War" of 1914–1918. The hall is an architecturally important building within the walled city. All new members are initiated in the hall. Other organisations such as the Orange Order and Royal Black Preceptory have separate accommodations in the hall. It also houses a social club and a museum. The hall is usually open to the public during the summer months, July to September. It has recently received funding from the EU to create a visitors centre. The Apprentice Boys was founded in 1814 to commemorate the 13 apprentice boys who shut the city gates of the Protestant city against the Catholic King James, leading to the Siege of 1689. The Apprentice Boys organise two parades annually, the “Closing of the Gates” in December and the “Lifting of the Siege” in August. These were contentious parades until recently when accommodation was reached with Nationalists residents.
Mussenden Temple
Built in 1785 by the eccentric Frederick Augustus Hervey, the 4th Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry, the Temple is part of the Downhill Estate. It is dedicated to the memory of the Bishop’s cousin, Frideswide Mussenden. Downhill Castle is also part of the estate, which is now in the hands of the National Trust. Located near the edge of a cliff, the Temple commands views over the Atlantic Ocean to the North, Magilligan Strand and Donegal to the West and Castlerock strand to the East.
St Columba’s Cathedral
The cathedral, located within the city walls not far from the Diamond, is reputed to be the first purpose built Protestant cathedral, the rest having been in use as Catholic cathedrals. It was started in 1600 by Sir Henry Dowcra to replace the original Templemore cathedral which had been burnt down. The cathedral holds many documents from the siege of 1689 and displays cannonballs, a portrait of William of Orange and the original keys to the gates of the city which were shut by the Apprentice Boys, denying access by King James’ army to the city.
