Things to do in

Londonderry / Derry

Welcome to the historic city of Derry – or Londonderry, depending on who you ask. Ours is a city rich in complex history, and filled with locals who’ll invite you to stay and enjoy the craic. This introductory tour takes you on a full circuit of the city's 400 year old walls. I’ll point out many of the famous historical and cultural sights en route and suggest places to return to for longer visits. You may know a bit about the city from the recent comedy series Derry Girls, and we’ll visit the popular mural dedicated to the show. But on this tour you’ll also hear about: • The city's saint, St Columba / Colmcille, who first established his monastery here in 542 AD • The great Siege of Derry in 1688 and 1689 • The Troubles, which were a part of life here from 1969 to 1994 • The city's role in the second world war and the Battle of the Atlantic • Immigration during the Plantation of Ulster • Emigration during the Irish Potato Famine, or Great Famine, from 1845 to 1849 I invite you to join me in a “dander” around the Derry Walls, and this ancient but exciting part of the city.(“Dander” means a walk in the local dialect.)

Visit the walled city of Derry, the only fully walled city in Ireland and Britain, for a fun filled tour of the film locations from the comedy TV show Derry Girls. Explore some of the show’s most iconic filming locations, such as Bishop's Gate, Long Tower Church, Guildhall and the Derry Girls mural. Stop by Pump Street and learn the difference between a cream horn and a cream finger, and try one for yourself if you fancy it. Along the way, listen to your guide share stories about the local history of Derry as you wander through some of the city’s most beloved landmarks.

The modern history of Derry is explored in the Bogside tour. Subjects range from the partition of Ireland and the creation of the six-county state, widespread religious discrimination against Irish Catholics, Civil Rights period, Battle of the Bogside 1969, Bloody Sunday massacre January 1972 and covers both inquiries in to Bloody Sunday and the conflict that occurred here afterwards. You will visit the Bogside, the crucible of the modern day conflict and home of the Civil Rights Association. View the world famous Bogside murals in Derry's Bogside. The Bogside murals give visitors a glimpse in to the recent history of Derry using visual art Visit the site of the Bloody Sunday massacre. The Bloody Sunday monument was the last physical act of the NI Civil Rights Association. 

Begin at the Free Derry Wall and let your local guide take your back in time, through the history of Northern Ireland. Beginning with the partition of Ireland, weave your way through the decades, through the troubles, the peace process and finish with a deeper understanding of the main issues that prevail today. Explore the famous Bogside Murals - the striking artworks that have become central to the neighborhood's identity. Discover the site of the Bloody Sunday Massacre, the controversial moment when British Soldiers fired into protestors in 1972, and pause at the memorial to the massacre looking over the Derry Walls.  

Discover the highlights of Ireland’s 4 corners, including all the sights of Northern Ireland. Enjoy a night at a traditional Irish pub, plenty of opportunities to dance the night away, hikes through bogs and castle ruins, and much more.  Day 1: Dublin - Belfast Visit Belfast and discover Titanic Belfast and the historic downtown quarter. Spend the night in Belfast. Day 2: Belfast - Derry Explore the Antrim Coast with visits to Dunluce Castle and Giants Causeway and photo opportunities at the Dark Hedges and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Enjoy a historic walking tour in Derry. Spend the night in Derry. Day 3: Derry - Galway Depart Northern Ireland and road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way to Galway. Stop in surfing hotspot Strandhill for lunch and enjoy a walk on the beach. Enjoy a free walking tour in Galway. Spend the night in Galway. Day 4: Galway - Dingle Head to Annascaul via the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Spend the night in Annascaul on the Dingle peninsula. Day 5: Dingle - Killarney Enjoy a full day of touring on the Dingle Peninsula, one of Europe’s most spectacular road trips. Spend the night in Killarney. Day 6: Killarney - Dublin Depart Killarney for Dublin. Enjoy a tour of the Killarney National Park and a visit to Blarney Castle in Cork. The tour ends in Dublin by the early evening.

Discover the long history of Derry and the surrounding area on this city walls walking tour. Derry is one of the longest continuously used areas of land in Ireland, dating back some six thousand years. This walking tour takes the 1.4 km circuitous route along the walls. Learn how St Colmcille set his monastery on the island of Doire in 546 before going to Iona in the western isles of Scotland, bringing Christianity to Britain. Hear about Queen Elizabeth I's advance into Ulster, bringing Anglicization and the Protestant religion, then the Irish response to this invasion that led to the Nine Years War 1594-1603, ending with the Flight of the Earls in 1607. Discover why the famous City Walls were built, and why the name of the city is still contested following Derry's change to Londonderry under King James I. Immerse yourself in the history of the Siege of Derry, The Fountain Estate, Derry Gaol, the Apprentice Boys, as well as the Great Hunger and emigration.

Explore some of North Ireland's highlights on a budget 3-day tour from Dublin. Visit Belfast and see some of the city's most important sights. Marvel at the Giant's Causeway, discover Dunluce Castle, take a walking tour of Derry, and more. Day 1: Dublin - Belfast city (overnight Belfast) Choose from one of two central Dublin collection locations and you'll be on your way. Your first stop this morning is at Monasterboice, a monastic settlement dating back to 501 AD. By late morning you'll arrive in Belfast. Discover why Lonely Planet regards Northern Ireland's capital as one of the top 10 'must-visit' cities on Earth. Your driver will show you highlights including City Hall, Queen's University, Albert's Clock, Botanic Gardens, and much more.  With plenty of time at leisure to explore the city, the political “Black Taxi” tour (optional) is strongly recommended to view the Peace Wall and infamous political murals. The drivers are locals and can explain what life was like in Belfast during the conflict of 1969-1998. This evening you'll stay downtown, in a most lively area with great pubs and restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets. Live music venues are plentiful, and Belfast is well known for its great nightlife. Day 2: Belfast - Giants Causeway - Dunluce Castle - Derry A glorious touring day cruising the beautiful North Coast. You will initially visit the Dark Hedges, famed by Game of Thrones. Then it's the jackpot visit of the day: the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trace the footprints of Celtic giants as you walk the Giant's Causeway, the proud location of an estimated 60,000 hexagonal columns of basalt rock formed by cataclysmic violent volcanic eruptions a long, long time ago. Listen to your guide wax lyrical about the giant warrior-hero Fionn McCool. Afterward, explore the amazing Dunluce Castle ruins with paid entrance. You'll continue to the nearby city of Derry where you'll spend the afternoon. There will be plenty of time at leisure after an excellent in-depth walking tour of Derry's walls with a local guide. Learn why the city is officially known as Londonderry and the story of the long bloody siege here in 1689. Head down to the well-known Bogside district, the scene of the Bloody Sunday massacre in 1972, and the inspiration for U2's classic anthem 'Sunday, Bloody Sunday'. Overnight in Derry. Day 3: Derry - Sligo - Galway - Dublin After breakfast this morning, you'll head down a portion of the west coast's Wild Atlantic Way in the Republic of Ireland. Further along the road lies Ireland's premier surf venue and beach at Strandhill, Co. Sligo, and you will have some leisure time here for lunch. Perhaps enjoy a walk on the amazing surfing beaches and check out The Strand Bar. Your final stop before returning to Dublin is Galway where you have free time to explore. Perhaps you might like to visit some wonderful local seafood eateries, or try a pint in one of the fantastic pubs. You then take a scenic drive back to Dublin, arriving back at approx. 7:00 PM.

In this tour, you will get an introduction to the 1500 year old history of the city of Derry/Londonderry, while walking a clockwise route on the City's 400 year old Walls. You will hear about St Columba who established his monastery here in 542 AD, the Vikings, Normans who came, and also the English/Scottish planters who then made their home here from the 1600's. You will also hear about the Great Siege of Derry of 1688/89, emigrations in the 1700's and 1800's, the Shirt Factories, the city's role in two World Wars, the Troubles of the period 1969-1994, and the subsequent Peace Process and the recent TV Series the Derry Girls. This tour has limited group sizes for the quality of the guest's experience - no large impersonal group tours here. The focus is on a personalised approach and tour route and content can be customised for private group bookings.

Walk through over 20 historical landmarks and natural spaces in Derry with this group tour. View a collection cannons and stroll along the city walls. Hear about Derry's history from the perspective that only a local can give. View a fine collection of cannons and listen as your guide tells you about the longest siege in Ireland. Find out about the 'Crucible of the Troubles'. Learn about city's founding and the role the city played in the mass immigration from Ireland. Travel along the walls while your guide tells you about the Siege of Derry. Be stirred by the People's Gallery of Murals. Admire St Columb’s Cathedral. Marvel at historic gothic buildings. Let your guide regale you with stories about marching season traditions, the history of the apprentice boys, Bloody Sunday, the Battle of Bogside and the Civil Rights movement.

Explore the streets of Derry's city centre and unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles & completing challenges, earning points along the way all self-guided through the Go Quest Adventures app. See the area's highlights, explore it's hidden gems and learn some insider history and fun facts along the way (even locals will discover something new). While it might be small in size, Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s second largest city packs a punch! Famous for its complete city walls, a history that dates back thousands of years, a site of religious importance and of course its link to The Troubles, it’s now a place where hope, humour and wonderful cultural sites abound (not to mention some of the friendliest people) and worthy of an adventure. As the Quest is self guided you can: * Start your Quest whenever you want, get instant access with nothing to print off from home * Go as fast as you want and try to top the leaderboard, or go at your own pace, stopping for rest breaks along the way. Your Quest will begin at the Peace Flame Gardens and wind you through the city streets, up along the iconic city walls and down to the Bogside eventually returning back to the impressive Guildhall. Along the way, learn about St Columba and his monastery, discover the People’s Gallery, learn about the events of the 1689 Siege, hear about a giant slide that closed down one of the main streets and of course see the murals dedicated to the Derry Girls (past and present)! So put down your history books, lace up your comfy shoes, and get ready to explore the sights, discover hidden gems and ultimately, conquer your Derry/Londonderry Quest! This is an ideal outdoor activity for couples, families, groups of friends, school groups and can be the perfect team building or corporate activity. Customised Quests and group packages are available by emailing hello@goquestadventures.com. Get Questing today!