Bogside is a Catholic district of the city of Derry in Northern Ireland. Its proximity to the Protestant Fountain district was responsible for one of the worst episodes of the Northern Irish conflict: the Troubles and Bloody Sunday.

History of Bogside

The epicentre of a high-tension conflict since 1969

The Bogside district is a suburban area of Derry, mainly inhabited by republican Catholics. By the late 60s, the neighborhood was already experiencing tensions with the Protestant Loyalists living in the surrounding area.

Catholics feel discriminated against, both in terms of their civil rights, and in their daily social considerations. They feel parked in Catholic ghettos, and are protesting against the British presence in Northern Ireland… Loyalist porters, for their part, did not hesitate to multiply their provocations, organizing Orange parades in their own Catholic neighborhoods… A real insult for Republicans…

From the Battle of Bogside to Bloody Sunday

In 1969, the Catholics decided to take action and make Bogside an autonomous enclave called “Free Derry”. Reactions soon began to be heard, and a riot broke out on August 12, 1969, pitting loyalists against republicans: this was the Battle of Bogside. The riot became contagious, and other towns in Northern Ireland went up in flames, using Derry as a model. However, the battle of Bogside resulted in 9 deaths and over 750 injuries…

Three years later, the Republicans still intend to protest, but this time peacefully, with rallies and marches. On January 30, 1972, more than 10,000 Catholics crossed the Bogside, before the British army fired on the unarmed crowd… The death toll then rose to 14.

Visit Bogside

Walls to bear witness…

The Bogside district is particularly famous for its impressive murals, painted during the Troubles. These alone bear witness to Northern Ireland’s historical and political context, with its struggles, ideologies and tragic episodes.

Among the large-scale frescoes, the “Free Derry” fresco is particularly noteworthy, as is the one commemorating Bloody Sunday in 1972. Other walls are in the image of military factions, such as the IRA, or the Continuity IRA…

Fascinating frescoes, like an open book on the history of Northern Ireland and its struggles…