County Derry Ireland Facts

County Derry Ireland Facts (Derry known also officially as County Londonderry) include that it has a population approaching 250,000 people.

It is one of the 32 traditional counties of Ireland lying within the province of Ulster. If you are planning any trips to Ireland some of its well known sights to visit are discussed here.

These range from Lough Foyle, the Tower Museum, the city walls and in 2013 it hosts the UK City of Culture and here are ideas on places to stay.


Fun Facts about Ireland:
County Derry-Londonderry

County Derry Ireland Facts:

  • County Derry (officially Londonderry) shares a border with County Antrim, County Tyrone and County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.
  • At its north coast is Lough Foyle and the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Derry City is sometimes known as the maiden city . It was attacked during the Siege of Derry in 1689 and several times since, and the walls have never been breached. It is possible to walk round the walls which give a good view over the city.
  • Gold was discovered in the Sperrin Mountains and mining has been carried out since 2007. There is not enough to make it a commercial.
  • Two well known Nobel Peace Prize winners come from County Derry in John Hume (politician) and Seamus Heaney (poet)
  • The 1960’s saw Derry become the focus of the Civil Rights movement in Northern Ireland. Bloody Sunday drew worldwide attention in 1972.
  • Derry is home to the world’s oldest independent department store – Austin’s.
  • County Derry is close to the border with County Donegal, with which it has had a close link for many centuries.
  • Derry City is the second largest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth largest on the island of Ireland.
  • Shirt making in the city was the most prolific in the UK with garments being exported all over the world.
  • The city is the north west's foremost shopping district, housing two large shopping centres along with numerous shop packed streets serving much of the greater county, as well as County Tyrone and County Donegal.





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