Derrie Danders "Introduction to the City Walls" 75 minute Walking Tour

Starting and finishing outside the Visit Derry Visitor Information Office in Waterloo Place (just about 50 metres from the Guildhall), we walk a full circuit "on and around the walls" in a clockwise direction. The tour covers an approximate distance of 1 mile (1.5 km) and includes a detailed history of the period from the origins of the city to the modern day. If time permits this tour may include a short walk through visit to the Guildhall to the Peace Bridge.

I live, and was born and bred in the Waterside area and I have a great love for the city and knowledge of its rich history and enjoy sharing this with locals and visitors alike.

My tour gives a detailed history of the city from its origins to the modern day, including the monastic settlement of St Columba, the impact of Vikings, Normans and Irish/Scottish Kings and Chieftains, the Plantation of Ulster and the building of its iconic Walls, the sieges of Derry and in particular the Great Siege of 1688/89, the aftermath and Presbyterian emigration to the USA, the United Irish rebellion of 1798, industrialisation, railways and bridge building, the 1840s potato famine and Roman Catholic emigation to the USA, the Home Rule crisis and partition, the role of the city in two World Wars and the Cold War, the recent Troubles and the subsequent peace process.

For their added privacy, and health and safety, I am also able to offer my tour guests access to a whispering microphone system which means they can comfortably listen to my tour while observing the appropriate social distancing. These units will be sanitised prior to each use, and although headphones can be provided, I would encourage guests to supply their own (standard jack fitting not wireless/bluetooth).

At the end of your tour there will also be an option to buy a small history booklet "Derry-Londonderry" by local historians Richard Doherty and Tim Webster at the cost of £5.00, as a souvenir of your tour.

I also offer the free option of an emailed certificate as a momento of your tour, incorporating a picture of your group at one of the historic landmarks visited.

If the dates/times you are interested in are not showing as available, send a message/question as customised private tours for individuals and groups can be arranged.