We went for a trip to Derry for the day (or Londonderry if you prefer). The highlight of the day alongside the train ride there and back, was a walk around the city walls, which are completely intact and still circle the city centre. Today the name of the city causes such contention that the entrance to the city is welcomes you to the neutral "Walled City". One of the original plantation cities, Derry required a wall to protect the incomers (who called it Londonderry) from the others who didn't. The great gates and iron fences all over the city walls are testimony to the fact that it has served military purposes until fairly recently. It's very good walk round too, with some historical info on signs and plenty of old cannon's for the kids to clamber on too.
Two contrasting views of the city from its old city walls.
Inside the walls there has been an incredible amount of development, the place is jammed packed full of new shopping centres, all shoe-horned into the central area. The town planners must have been away on holiday when much of this was passed! In one almost unbelievable piece of building control, a department store has been allowed to build in garish yellow stone - directly on top of the historic city wall!
On the other hand outside the walls the city looks like this, less big business and much has it has done for decades.
Spot the Celtic fan's house! A view from the fortifications on the city walls into the Bogside area.
We think it's all over. But they don't.
No comments:
Post a Comment