Canons, Derry walls, Co. Derry~Londonderry
Canons, Derry walls, Co. Derry~Londonderry Courtesy of Tony Pleavin for Tourism Northern Ireland

Derry City Walls

📍 Derry, Various

🏛️ Attraction

Last updated: 28 April 2026

Overview

The Derry City Walls form a continuous promenade around the old merchant city of Derry, also known as Londonderry. Completed in 1618, the walls are among the best‑preserved urban fortifications in Europe and the only fully walled city in Ireland. At roughly 1.5 km (0.9 mi) in circumference, they rise up to 26 ft (8 m) high and are up to 30 ft (9 m) wide, providing a lofty walkway that offers sweeping views of the River Foyle, the cathedral, and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The walls are free to access and are generally open during daylight hours, making them an easy addition to any Derry itinerary.

History

The walls were erected between 1613 and 1618 as a defensive barrier for early‑century English and Scottish settlers. Their primary purpose was to protect the burgeoning port town from raids by Irish clans from Donegal. Over the centuries the walls witnessed two major sieges, most famously the 1689 Siege of Derry when a group of Protestant apprentices famously shut the city gates with a cry of “No Surrender!” – an event that cemented the walls as a symbol of Loyalist identity.

During the Williamite Wars the walls again became a focal point of resistance, and later, throughout the 20th‑century Troubles, they served as a strategic lookout for both security forces and paramilitaries. After the peace process, the walls were reopened to the public and have become Derry’s most visited attraction, offering a tangible link between the city’s turbulent past and its hopeful present.

Key Features & Points of Interest

  • Original city gates – Bishop’s Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Shipquay Gate and Butcher Gate remain from the 17th‑century layout. Each gate is marked with interpretive plaques.
  • Later additions – Magazine Gate, Castle Gate and New Gate were added in the 19th century to improve traffic flow.
  • Cannon collection – The walls host Europe’s largest precisely documented cannon collection. Among the 24 restored guns is the famous Roaring Meg, a 17th‑century piece that saw action during the Siege of Derry.
  • Walker Monument plinth – The column of the former Walker Monument was destroyed in 1973; its stone plinth still sits beside the walls and can be viewed from the ramparts.
  • Dry moat walk – A low‑lying path follows the former moat from New Gate to Butcher Gate, offering a ground‑level perspective of the fortifications.
  • Bastions – Three surviving bastions (Double Bastion, etc.) provide panoramic vistas over the Bogside and the River Foyle.

What to See & Do

Walking the full circuit takes roughly 45 minutes, but visitors often linger to explore the many points of interest:

  • City Gates – Examine the historic portals up close; the Bishop’s Gate steps provide a dramatic entry from Guildhall Square.
  • Cannon Collection – Locate Roaring Meg and the other restored guns, each with a short description of its era and use.
  • Views of the Bogside – From the western bastions you can look down onto the Bogside, the site of the 1972 Bloody Sunday shootings.
  • St Columba’s Cathedral and Police Station – The walls frame the imposing cathedral and the historic police station, illustrating the juxtaposition of religious and civil authority.
  • Interpretive Signage – Plaques along the walk detail construction, sieges, and the lives of the apprentice boys.
  • Dry‑moat path – For a different perspective, follow the low‑lying moat walk between New Gate and Butcher Gate.
  • Guided tours – The Tourist Information Centre arranges guided walks; the Apprentice Boys Museum also runs specialist tours focusing on the 1689 siege.

Access & Getting There

The walls are centred on Derry’s historic core and are reachable on foot from several key points:

  • Guildhall Square – The main entry is via the steps at Magazine Gate or the ramp through the same gate.
  • Bishop’s Gate – Accessible from Bishop Street Without; the steps here lead directly onto the ramparts.
  • Stable Lane – Provides a quieter entrance to the walls.
  • Public transport – Ulsterbus routes 30 and 31 stop within a short walk of the walls. Derry~Londonderry train station is a 20‑minute walk from Guildhall Square, and the Foyle Street Bus Centre is just a 2‑minute walk away.
  • Parking – Limited on‑street parking is available near the Guildhall and Ebrington Square, but most visitors arrive on foot or by bicycle. The city’s bike‑share scheme has stations close to the walls.
  • Accessibility – The majority of the circuit is level, though a few gate passages are narrow and may be challenging for wheelchair users. Ground‑level routes (dry moat walk) offer an alternative for those with reduced mobility.

Practical Information

  • Admission – Free.
  • Opening hours – Open from sunrise to sunset year‑round.
  • Safety – No climbing is permitted; the walls are monitored by local security.
  • Facilities – Restrooms are available at the Guildhall and near the Tourist Information Centre. Water fountains can be found at several gate points.
  • Guides – Self‑guided maps are available at the Tourist Information Centre; guided walks can be booked on‑site.