Derry's Walls
Built between 1613 and 1619, the only complete city walls preserved on the island of Ireland. The circuit is about 1.5 km, and bastions, gates and old cannons remain in place.
Derry's walls were built by the guilds of the City of London to protect the new plantation city. They withstood a 105-day siege in 1689 without ever being breached, which earned the city the nickname 'the Maiden City'. The walls are about 1.5 km around and 4 to 10 metres wide. The walkway on top can be walked all the way round for free. It has 7 gates and several 17th-century cannons, and along the way you can overlook the Bogside murals, the Guildhall and the River Foyle. Walking it yourself takes about an hour, or you can join a guided walking tour departing from the visitor centre (about 1.5 hours). Inside the walls is the old town centre, with Diamond Square at its heart.
Opening hours
Open all day; free admission
Nearby sights
- Craft Village
- Tower Museum
- Guildhall
- Siege Museum
- St Columb's Cathedral
- Hands Across the Divide
- Peace Bridge
- Museum of Free Derry