Derry City Walls

The circuit of walls, enclosing the old city on the west bank of the river Foyle, is the only surviving complete series of city walls in Ireland. It is also considered to be on of the first major pieces of urban planning in Ireland.

Built for the Irish Society between 1613 and 1618, the walls were besieged in 1641, in 1648 and 1649, when the Parliamentarians held out against the Royalists and were relieved by General Owen Roe O'Neill, and in 1688-9 for 105 days against the forces of James II.

Steps and ramps lead to the wall-walk at several points inside the circuit. A recommended route would be to start at the north-east beside Shipquay Gate and move round in a clockwise direction. St Columb's Cathedral (1628-33) in the south angle of the walls is one of the most remarkable buildings of the Ulster Plantation. There are fine views from the walls, a reminder of their original important strategic function.