TheRamblingWombat Londonderry / Derry

Raytheon and Derry

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Affixed to the City Walls in Guildhall Square, I came across the plaques in the attached photograph.

The circular plaque, clearly associated with the centre one, brings together two symbols of Derry – the famous 17th century City Walls which are among the best preserved and most complete city walls in Europe and the oak leaf, a much older symbol of Derry, recalling the oak grove that was here when the city was first established and indeed the origin of half the official name of the city. Continue reading “Raytheon and Derry” →

TheRamblingWombat Londonderry / Derry

Walker Memorial Courtyard

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I was very much of two minds as to whether or not to do a review of this courtyard which forms part of the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall. My picture above will suggest why a review is perhaps unwarranted. Not only has the Good Reverend George Walker disappeared from his plinth on the City Walls but he also seems to have disappeared from the Walker Memorial Courtyard! Let me explain. Continue reading “Walker Memorial Courtyard” →

TheRamblingWombat Londonderry / Derry

The Apprentice Boys – Memorial Hall and Museum

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In Northern Ireland there currently exist three Protestant Orders having their roots in the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1690 when the Protestant King William III defeated the deposed Catholic James II and secured his and the Protestant ascendancy to the British Throne. While things moved on in Britain, Irish Protestants immediately started celebrating this victory and have been celebrating it ever since. Continue reading “The Apprentice Boys – Memorial Hall and Museum” →

TheRamblingWombat Londonderry / Derry

First Derry Presbyterian Church

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Presbyterians have resided in the City since around 1642 having arrived during the Plantation of Ulster which began in the early 1600s. By the time of the Siege of Derry there was a significant number of Presbyterians in the city but still they didn’t have a place of worship within the City Walls. During the Siege, like many others in the region, the Presbyterians had moved in behind the city walls either to assist in the defence of the City or to seek safety from Jacobite forces. Within the Walls they worshipped in St Columb’s Cathedral and at some time they actually had St Augustine’s Church“on loan”. Continue reading “First Derry Presbyterian Church” →

TheRamblingWombat Londonderry / Derry

St Augustine’s – A Church of Many Names

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An absolute must see. A real highlight of my visit.

St. Augustine’s, known as the “Wee Church on the Walls” is built on the site of St Columba’s first monastery in Ireland which was founded in 546AD on “God’s Little Acre”, this site on the oak clad Hill of Derry given to him by his cousin, Aed, King of Cenel Conaill. Continue reading “St Augustine’s – A Church of Many Names” →

TheRamblingWombat Londonderry / Derry

Roaring Meg and other Cannons

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As you stroll along Derry City Walls you can’t fail to notice an abundance of old cannons. The majority of these cannons, and many more no longer in existence, were presented to the Plantation Settlers of the City in the early 1600s by various London livery companies – including Fishmongers, Grocers, Salters, Merchant Taylors and Vintners – under the auspices of The Honourable, The Irish Society. Continue reading “Roaring Meg and other Cannons” →