History of Derry (Doire)

Derry's history as an established settlement dates back to the sixth century A.D. with the foundation of a monastery, however the area has a prehistoric dating for thousands of years before this.

The name Derry derives from an old Irish name, Doire, meaning oak grove. In this case the name refers to an oak gove that was originally an island in the River Foyle. Over time the channel to one side of this hill dried out and became bogland, which eventually became known as the Bogside area of Derry.

Legend maintains that the monastery of Derry was founded by Saint Colmcille (also known as Columba). It is believed that the original site of this monastery is where the Chapel of St Augustine now stands.

The controversy over Derry's name can be traced bcak to the early 17th century. This was a time of great change in the area, Derry, by now an English settlement, had been almost destroyed in 1608 by Cahir O'Doherty just after the "flight of the Earls" when all of the Gaelic leaders in Ulster had fled to the continent. James I decided to take Ulster under his control with the now infamous Plantation, a mass movement of English and Scottish settlers into Irlenad. These settlers had strong links with the guilds of London, so when the recently destroyed city was rebuilt and fortified the name Londonderry was given in honour of this association.

To this day the fortifications survive around Derry, indeed this historic cathedral city is the only completly walled city in the British Isles.

The "Maiden City" houses one of the University of Ulsters campuses, the Magee site, formally a theological collage. Florence Nightengale visited Magee collage on May 31st 1867 and signed her name in the Visitors' Book.

With the rebuilding of Derry, St Columb's Cathedral was erected. Notibly, this was the first Protestant cathedral built in Ireland after the Reformation.

The Seige of Derry in 1689 was another historic landmark in the city's story. James II, a deposed English king, hoped to regain control of ulster, and from there move onto the rest of Britain. The Protestant population of Derry were loyal to William of Orange, or King Billy as he is known locally. When James II arrived at Derry the local population feared that the city would be razed to the ground, so they opened fire. The gates were closed, and a 105 day seige began. The cannons still line the city walls, although they haven't been used in some time. The seige was finally broken when a relief ship brooke through a barricade of the river, nearby the current site of the Foyle Bridge.

Following the Partition of Ireland in 1921, Derry became a border town, and part of Great Britain. In later years Derry suffered badly during the "Troubles". Derry is also famous for the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, which strove for equal rights for Catholics living in Northern Ireland. There are many examples of street art which reflect this difficult period in the cities history.