FROM the iconic Peace Bridge to its 17th century Walls, Derry City deftly blends the old and new to create an overnight that delivers for every tourist. And the River Foyle is poised to take centre stage in the Derry on the North Atlantic – or DNA – Museum for short due to open in 2027.
Work is underway on this £15million visitor attraction that will take over one side of Ebrington Square to tell the story of the city through its mighty waterway. Incorporating themes such as Gateway to the World, Industry and Innovation and The Women of the Shirt Factories, the museum will also explore the local impact of the Battle of the Atlantic and, of course, the Troubles.
For now, though, the one building that dominates these former army barracks is The Ebrington Hotel, our well-placed stop for a two-day stay in the Maiden City. Opened in 2023, this 4-star, 89 room hotel features a stressbusting spa, and two dining options in the award-winning Oakroom Restaurant and more informal Corner House Pub and Lounge.
After checking into our Deluxe River View Room with uninterrupted views across the Peace Bridge and towards the Guildhall, we padded our way to said spa for some pre-meal downtime in the Thermal Suite & Hydrotherapy Pool. Absolute bliss! The hotel exudes elegance with more than a sprinkling of that friendly LegenDerry vibe. Nothing seems too much trouble for the ever-smiling staff, perhaps revelling in their city’s relatively new status as a must-see destination.
Some of that can undoubtedly be attributed to the global phenomenon of Derry Girls, local lass Lisa McGee’s comedic take on her 90s youth growing up in the city. The now-famous Derry Girls mural is an obligatory photo stop when walking the walls. While the Tower Museum retains the Derry Girls Exhibition as everything else gets packed up in preparation for its lock-stock and barrel move to the DNA Museum.
As with many overnighters, our trip was prompted by a show at the Millennium Forum, Derry’s contemporary concert hall a mere 15 minutes’ stroll across the bridge from our hotel. The Unfinished Broadside tells the story of Strabane boy John Dunlap who went on to make his name as the printer of the US Declaration of Independence. This all singing, all dancing extravaganza marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration and hopes are high that the production will travel further afield, perhaps even following in the footsteps of the man whose life it inspired.
Undoubtedly Dunlap and his fellow Ulster-Scots American emigrants will form part of the DNA Museum’s, well… DNA. Back to today, though, and refreshed from our spa time, we dined on some fine pub grub at the Corner House Pub and Lounge before wending our way across the Foyle to enjoy the performance.
The threads of time are ever-present the following day as we make the most of our final few hours exploring Derry City. Walking Derry’s Walls is a great way of learning so much more about its story. The 1689 Siege of Derry was a huge event in the city’s timeline, and its resonance is palpable as you walk the very walls that bore witness to this seismic event. A birdseye view of the Bogside reveals yet another defining moment in Derry’s history, as the landmark Freedom Corner and murals mark the site of Bloody Sunday. The Siege Museum and Museum of Free Derry tell both stories in in-depth detail.
The 19th century Guildhall which graces the eponymous Square also recounts the history of the city and its environs and is well worth a visit. We popped into both the Guildhall and Tower Museum whose Derry Girls Experience will remain on site from March 2026 and continue to draw a younger demographic.
There were plenty of photo ops to pose alongside grandad or the girls in their house festooned with original props and costumes from the series itself. The visit was like a homecoming for Ray who, like many locals, was an extra in several scenes. Blink and you’ll miss him but Ray’s at the front of the ‘Rock the Boat’ wedding dance. Fame at last!
After a cuppa and traybake at the Guildhall café, we called a wrap on our whirlwind 24-hour tour of Derry~Londonderry. I’ve been many times, and each visit is as enjoyable as the last. The Cityside’s steep streets are great for a cardio workout, while a more sedate riverside walk reflects the new attraction to come. And when the DNA Museum opens next year, I’ll be taking full advantage of The Ebrington Hotel’s proximity and booking another overnight. But I won’t wait that long for my next trip, and neither should you.
