- For other places with similar names, see Derry (disambiguation) and Londonderry (disambiguation).
Template:Ireland city infobox Derry or Londonderry (in Irish , Doire Cholm Chille or Doire), often called the Maiden City, is a city in Northern Ireland. The old walled city of Londonderry lies on the west bank of the River Foyle, but the city now covers both banks and is connected by two bridges. The district extends to rural areas to the southeast of the city.
Derry is near the border with the Republic of Ireland, and serves much of western Ulster, including Donegal, as well as the west of County Londonderry. It is Ulster's second largest city. The district is run by Derry City Council and has an airport, City of Derry Airport.
Name
- Main article: Derry/Londonderry name dispute
The city's name is a subject of dispute between nationalists (usually Catholics) and unionists (mostly Protestants), with nationalists calling it Derry, and some unionists, Londonderry. The majority of the city's inhabitants use Derry. The district council is controlled by nationalist parties, and officially changed its name to Derry City Council. The name of the city is specified by its Royal Charter as Londonderry, and many unionists continue to call it Londonderry.
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History
- Main article: History of Derry
Derry is one of the longest continuously inhabited places in Ireland. The earliest historical references date to the sixth century A.D. when a monastery was founded there, but for thousands of years before that people had been living in the vicinity. Colonists organised by London livery companies arrived in the 1600s and built the walled city of Londonderry across the Foyle from the earlier town. The city has long been a focal point for important events in Irish history, including the 1688-1689 siege of Derry and Bloody Sunday on 30 January 1972.
Londonderry was the first ever planned city in Ireland: it was begun in 1613, with the walls being completed 5 years later in 1618. The central diamond within a walled city with four gates was thought to be a good design for defence. The grid pattern chosen was subsequently much copied in the colonies of British North America [1]. The siege of Derry is commemorated annually by the fraternal organisation the Apprentice Boys of Derry in the week long Maiden City Festival.
