If you’re looking to discover the history and culture of Derry, there’s no better way to do it than by taking a walking tour of the city. From the iconic walls to the banks of the River Foyle and the Peace Bridge, there’s plenty to see and learn about this fascinating place. So put on your walking shoes and join us on a tour of Derry 2023!

 

The History of Derry

Derry is a historic city in Northern Ireland with a rich past dating back centuries. Today, visitors can explore this history by taking one of the many walking tours available in the city. These tours are a great way to learn about the history of Derry and see some of the city’s most important landmarks. There are several different companies that offer walking tours of Derry, so there is sure to be one that meets your needs and interests Some of the most popular tours include those that focus on the city’s walls, its role in the Troubles, and its more recent transformation into a vibrant cultural hub. Whichever tour you choose, you are sure to walk away with a better understanding of Derry’s complex history and its bright future.

 

The Culture of Derry

Derry is a city with a rich history and culture, and there are many different ways to explore it. One of the best ways to learn about the culture of Derry is to take a walking tour. Walking tours are led by knowledgeable guides who can share stories and insights about the city’s past and present. They offer a great way to see some of the most important landmarks in Derry while learning about the people and events that have shaped its culture. There are several different companies that offer walking tours of Derry, so be sure to do some research before choosing one. There are also a number of self-guided options available if you prefer to explore on your own. Whether you choose a guided or self-guided tour, taking a walk through Derry is an excellent way to learn more about its history and culture.

 

Walking the Walls of Derry

Derry is a historic city with a rich culture and heritage. Walking the walls of Derry is a great way to learn about the city’s history and see some of its most famous landmarks. There are several different walking tours available, each offering something unique. Choose a tour that suits your interests and schedule, and be sure to dress appropriately for the weather conditions. With a little planning, you can have an enjoyable and educational experience walking the walls of Derry!

 

Exploring the River Foyle

The Foyle River runs through the heart of Derry, and its banks are lined with charming walkways perfect for exploring. A walking tour of the river is a great way to see the city’s sights and learn about its history. There are several different companies that offer guided tours, so you can choose the one that best suits your interests and schedule. Whether you’re a local looking for a new way to see your city or a visitor wanting to learn more about Derry, a walking tour of the River Foyle is an enjoyable experience for all So grab your walking shoes and explore the River Foyle!

 

The Iconic Sites of Derry

Derry is a historic city with plenty of iconic sites to explore. Join one of our walking tours and see the best of what Derry has to offer! Our experienced guides will take you to all the must-see spots in the city, including the world-famous walls, the Guildhall, and St Columb’s Cathedral. You’ll also get an insider’s look at some of Derry’s hidden gems, like Bogside Murals, The Peace Bridge, Ebrington Square, The Bloody Sunday Memorial and the Diamond War Memorial. So come on a walking tour with us and discover all that Derry has to offer!

 

The Walking Tours of Derry 2023

Derry is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. With its winding rivers and rolling hills, the cityscape is truly a sight to behold. A walking tour of Derry is the perfect way to take in all that the city has to offer. From historic buildings to natural wonders, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Walking Tours of Derry website offers a variety of different tours to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that suit your interests and abilities. Whether you’re a local looking for a new way to explore your city or a visitor wanting to experience all that Derry has to offer, these walking tours are definitely worth checking out! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start exploring!

 

Discovering Derry on foot 2023

Derry is a beautiful, historic city with plenty to see and do. A walking tour is the perfect way to explore all that Derry has to offer. There are several different walking tours available, each offering something unique. Whether you want to learn about the city’s history or simply enjoy the scenery, there’s a tour for you. Walking tours are a great way to see the city at your own pace You can stop and take photos whenever you like, and there’s no need to hurry from one attraction to the next. Many of the city’s best-known landmarks can be found on walking tours, including St Augustine’s Church, The Guildhall, The Bogside Murals and The Diamond. If you’re looking for a fun and informative way to spend a few hours in Derry, a walking tour is definitely worth considering!

 

The Walking Tours of Derry are a great way to discover the history and culture of the city on foot. There are several different tours available, each with its own focus. Whether you’re interested in the city’s architecture, its art scene, or its political history, there’s a tour that will suit your needs. So put on your walking shoes and explore Derry today!

Walking Tours of Derry.

What’s All The Fuss About The Derry Girls?

Lisa McGee, a wee local girl, who was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, and studied drama at Queen’s University, Belfast. She was writer on attachment with the Royal National Theatre in London in 2006. McGee is the creator and writer of Derry Girls, a comedy series that began airing on Channel 4 in the UK in January 2018. Other programmes and work included Raw and Girls & Dolls and she hales as a screenwriter and writer.

Derry Girls follows five teenagers in a Catholic school in Northern Ireland during the 1990s. The show follows five teenagers in a Catholic school during the 1990s, when Northern Ireland was gripped by sectarian violence between Catholics and Protestants known as “The Troubles”.

Derry is a City with much to say for itself.

Five miles from the border with the Republic of Ireland, and profoundly affected by decades of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, it is also renowned for its unique sense of humour.
The city’s personality is a patchwork in which the scars of war and social injustice run alongside razor-sharp wit, brutal put-downs, and a stream of outrageous anecdotes about local eccentrics. This comparison was impossible to explain to outsiders who had never visited – until Derry Girls came along.
The hit Channel 4 show follows the misadventures of four teenage girls (and one “wee English fella”) facing the everyday challenges of growing up against the backdrop of sectarian conflict. It is the brainchild of writer Lisa McGee, who based much of it on her formative years at an all-girls school ( Thornhill College) in the city.
“I always wanted to write about my friends, and the whole convent school thing, because I thought it was hilarious,” says McGee. “The whole backdrop of the Troubles happened very naturally because that was just what was happening.”
The first series was a wild comic romp that involved the girls burning down a chip shop, digging up a dead dog and bearing witness to a statue of the Virgin Mary weeping with what turned out to be dog piss.

“It’s inspired by real things that happened to my family and friends,” says McGee, “but then I push things further for the comedy. I always wanted it to have an urban myth quality too – that we’ve all heard these stories, but these girls are the people that those things actually happen to.”
When it comes to their representation, the people of Derry can be a discerning lot – something she was all too aware of when putting pen to paper. “I thought to myself, this needs to be good, or I’ll never be able to go back home again!”
When the show premiered, the response in Derry was unprecedented. From WhatsApp groups to Facebook posts, everyone was pointing out the phrases and scenarios they recognised, and the characters people most resembled. It quickly became the most-watched TV series in Northern Ireland since records began.
“We couldn’t have wished for a better response,” says Nicola Coughlan, who plays the ever-anxious Clare. “I said to the others beforehand, the Derry people are very honest. If they don’t like our show, they’ll let us know. But they are so proud of it, and they treat us so well when we go there.”
The success continues and the show receives an international rollout on Netflix. Across review sites and social media, new fans are drawn in by the familiar sight of awkward teenagers embarrassing themselves. Derry Girls has truly gone global.

While the Troubles might not be widely understood in far-off countries, its setting actually struck some unexpected chords.

Coughlan recalls one of many comments she received about the show on Twitter.
“I got a message from a girl who grew up in the Kashmir region, and she said this is exactly what it was like for me growing up in a political divide. I hadn’t thought it would resonate like that – I just thought that was amazing.”
The cast say that while they expected it to do well in Ireland, they were unsure of how well it would translate, having been so faithful to Derry’s niche sense of humour; from put-downs like “dose” (basically, a person who’s a pain in the neck) and “shite the tights” (a nervous person), to the stresses of ordering from the chippy on a Friday night, or fleeing the town before the Orange Order march on 12 July.
Louisa Harland, who plays dim-witted Orla, is from Dublin. “Only people from Derry will understand how many in-jokes are littered within it. There’s even one or two that I didn’t get! But the thing is, it’s so layered. There’s jokes for Derry people and then there’s jokes for everyone.”

Now, more and more people are visiting the city to get in on the joke. Derry’s tourism industry has been growing since the turn of the millennium, with many people coming not just to learn about the political history and Derry tours, but to enjoy the nightlife, the annual jazz festival, halloween parades and other cultural treats.
Murals that commemorate key figures and incidents from the Troubles are also a curious part of the attraction. Typically, these reflect on the darker moments in our past, but a few weeks ago, the Derry Girls made for a unique new addition.
“It took four and half days to put it up,” says Karl Porter, who works with local group UV Arts. “People were coming along to watch, just being curious and nosey. Obviously, we’re used to the murals showing our history, but this is about showing a new side. People were pleasantly surprised.”
Pictures were going viral even before it was finished, and already, it has become a new tourist attraction. The actors say when they came to see themselves immortalised for the first time, it took their breath away.
Ruairi O’hEara who runs Tours of Derry, which takes groups, universities, colleges and visitors on walks around the city’s historic walls and town centre. He has been taken aback by the interest from foreign tourists.

“Last week I had a group of 50 or 60 kids from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and the first thing they said to me was, ‘Where’s the Derry Girls mural?’ I couldn’t believe it. There’s been about seven other groups now asking the same thing, gap year students from the US, from Spain, all over.”
Ruairi says this fits in with a new phenomenon of screen production tourism enjoyed where Game of Thrones is filmed in Belfast and has the best Game of Thrones tour from Belfast, and at locations across the island which are featured in the Star Wars franchise. Now, just weeks after this new mural was painted, it seems no one can visit Derry without a selfie in front of it.
This tribute to the Derry Girls stirs a local pride which runs deeper than mere enjoyment of the show. For many, it’s a reminder of the crucial role women played during the city’s troubled past.
Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who stars as the lead character Erin, says this is the very essence of the show. “It was the women who were keeping the families going through those years, working in the shirt factories and keeping the house, it was bred down through the generations.
“Derry women are strong, they know what they want, they’re sassy, courageous, brave, and they look after each other. But they’ll let you know when you’ve got above your station too. It’s a sisterhood.”
The beauty of Derry Girls is that it doesn’t attempt to show a positive side of the city in isolation from, or in contrast to, the conflicts of our past. Instead, it shows comedy as a coping mechanism, which carried people through repeated hardships. In writing the show, Lisa McGee says this became all the more evident to her.
“It’s so impressive when you look back and think what our families protected us from and lived through and coped with, and what became normal. I think the fearlessness and the humour that we dealt with is so admirable.”

“It feels like everyone’s show, everyone is so proud of it, and Derry people are great, funny, interesting people. There’s more to us than our history, we have other stories to tell.”
Derry Girls Season 1, Derry Girls Season 2, Derry Girls Season 3 all available if you search Derry Girls Netflix.

Call us now on 07812 084903 or email info@toursofderry.com to book your tour.