Did you know? Derry is a city whose origins are still present today. The famous “DerryWalls“, defensive walls dating back to between 1613 and 1619, bear witness to this! These walls literally encircle the old town over a length of 1.5km. The only ones of their kind, they are considered to be the only ramparts on the island of Ireland that have never been breached. They can be visited to get a glimpse of the city’s history!
The Derry City Walls were built in the 17th century, at the height of the Ulster Plantations. At this time, many English and Scottish planters came to settle in Ulster, particularly in the town.
The latter have acquired large tracts of land, which they exploit with a firm hand, despite the protests of the Irish.
Against this divisive backdrop, many British colonists settled in Derry. They try to develop their colony… but their plan is threatened by a vast operation, led by the Irish clan chief Cahir O’Doherty, who partially destroys the colony in a bloody rebellion.
Faced with this disaster, England decided to make Derry more secure by building major defensive ramparts. These are the famous “Walls of Derry”.
These walls were built in 1613 by the Irish Society. The work was directed by Peter Benson, a leading London architect of the time.
At the same time, Derry was officially renamed “Londonderry” in the Royal Charter of 1613: a thumbing of the nose on the part of the English, who by this name coldly reminded the Irish that Derry was now under London administration, and therefore under British rule.
A true symbol, which scandalizes the Irish!
However, construction will take almost 5 years. By 1619, the ramparts were ready. These walls are walkable along their entire length. They are equipped with cannons ready to fire, and soldiers are posted around the clock to ensure the city’s security.
Derry headquarters – Public domain
These ramparts will soon be put to the test. The Siege of Derry, which lasted from December 1688 to July 1689, put its fortifications under great strain.
This dramatic episode took place against the backdrop of the War of the Two Kingdoms, a major conflict between the supporters of the Catholic King James II and those of the Protestant King William III of Orange.
The story begins when James II, deposed from his English throne in 1688, attempts to regain power in Ireland, where he enjoys considerable support. The predominantly Protestant city of Derry became a key point of resistance against his forces.
In December 1688, Jacobite troops approached Derry. Faced with this threat, the inhabitants closed the town gates, refusing entry to James II’s soldiers.
The siege officially began in April 1689, when Jacobite forces led by General Richard Hamilton surrounded Derry. The Derry Walls became the ultimate roadblock to the Jacobites. Soldiers stand watch day and night from the ramparts, ready to unleash cannon fire in the event of an approach.
For over three months, the city was subjected to a rigorous blockade.
Conditions inside the walls quickly became disastrous: food and medical supplies ran out, and famine and disease were rife. Despite these difficulties, Derry’s defenders, led by George Walker and Henry Baker, remained determined not to surrender, counting on their determination and the strength of Derry’s walls.
On July 28, 1689, the ship Mountjoy broke the Jacobite blockade on the River Foyle, bringing crucial supplies to the besieged. This event marked the end of the siege, with Jacobite troops withdrawing shortly afterwards… It’s the end of the siege of Derry…
Since this historic episode, many Protestants have commemorated the event every year during the Troubles. For example, a March led by the Apprentices Boys, commemorating the closing of the gates, passed through the town in August 1969… and exacerbated present-day tensions. It is thought that some of the marchers threw pennies from the ramparts below towards the Irish Catholics in the Bogside district.
This act was seen as a provocation, and generated riots… leading to the infamous Battle of Bogside.
But that’s not all! In August 1973, the Derry Walls were targeted by a bomb attack claimed by theIRA. This move was aimed at destroying the Walker monument, a 30-meter-high column erected in 1828 to the glory of Governor George Walker. A Protestant symbol that deeply shocked the Catholic republicans of the time!
The portion of the wall that was attacked, and which housed the monument, remained closed until its reopening in 2010. It wasn’t really affected, apart from the monument, which was completely destroyed. It has never been rebuilt since.
Today, Derry’s ramparts attract visitors from all over the world. You can also take a walk on top of the walls, to discover a magically preserved structure dating back to the 1600s…
You’ll come across crenellated towers, protected passageways and traces of Derry’s sometimes troubled history.
You’ll also discover that the ramparts have 7 distinct gates:
Don’t miss the opportunity to admire the city’s cannons, installed along the ramparts’ passageways. These are the original cannons, which still stand tireless watch over the city.
Allow around an hour for the tour. Visits are free, unless you’d like to explore the walls with a guide.
The guided tour is fun and attractive, and provides a wealth of information on Derry’s history. Note that it is generally available in English only…
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3.90/5 (10 votes)
