One of the things I have made sure to do during my experience living in Ireland is to travel around the island as much as I can. I love living here and I am very grateful for the landscapes that this island has allowed me to see and the cities that I have been able to explore.

I recently visited Derry/Londonderry for the first time, a destination that I had been wanting to visit for a long time but that I was able to visit recently and be amazed by its beauty and atmosphere.

Much of what I saw in Derry I did not expect, I did not expect the city to be so big and much less did I expect it to be walled, that seemed spectacular to me that it made me think that maybe I could live there if I did not live in Belfast. Today I will share my experience in Derry with you so that you can visit the city while you study at Queen's.

Nice street of pubs in Derry

Transportation

To start, getting to Derry is very easy from Belfast, and now you can do it from the brand new Belfast Central Station. My trip to Derry lasted only one day, so it was important for me to get round trip tickets in advance. These tickets can be purchased in advance from the Translink website and return tickets can cost around £25.

The wonder of Derry

The bus will drop you off at the Derry bus station located in the city centre. From here all the places you want to visit will be within walking distance, so visiting the city's sights will be very easy. The first place we visited in the city was the Peace Bridge which crosses the wonderful and charming River Foyle, and it is a pedestrian bridge with a lot of history which commemorates the resilience and the achievement of peace in Derry, a city full of history and whose streets reflect the role it played during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The city within the walls

To my surprise, Londonderry/Derry is a very old city and its city centre is surrounded by walls. These walls are super old, and they surround the entire historic city centre. The best thing is that you can walk along them quietly, enjoying great views of the Foyle River and the city. As you walk, you will come across little pieces of the city's history.

Derry walls

Guildhall

The Guildhall is a beautiful neo-Gothic building located between the city walls and the River Foyle. This imposing building is of great significance to the city of Derry, as it has served as the seat of government or for other historical events in the city. This beautiful building is striking for its stained glass windows that have images depicting the history of the city and the clock tower. In the building you can find exhibitions about the history of Derry and its role throughout the history of Northern Ireland.

Derry Girls mural

Even if you haven't seen this Netflix series, I'm sure you'll know about this mural and the famous Derry girls. The mural is on one of the walls of Badgers Bar (it was recently altered by adding a small roof for customers who wanted to sit on the pub's terrace). This series follows the adventures of a group of teenagers during the last years of the conflict in Northern Ireland, known as "The Troubles." The mural has become a symbol of local pride, because the success of the series has managed to put the eyes of the world on Derry and has shown the resilience, bravery and courage that characterises the people of Derry.

Free Derry mural

Something I could perceive from my visit to Derry and that I really liked, is that it is a city that preserves a lot of its identity and its history. It is a city that does not forget, but that is willing to move forward. It is a city full of memory. The Free Derry mural and the murals around it are a living example of the resilience and local memory of the events in this city. The mural in the Bogside presents the famous phrase "You are now entering Free Derry" painted on a white wall. This message first appeared in 1969, during the beginning of the conflict known as "The Troubles", when the residents of the Bogside declared the area as autonomous.

Free Derry mural

The mural represents the fight for civil rights and self-determination. Today, it is a historic site and a place of reflection, frequented by both tourists and locals who wish to honor the memory of those tumultuous years and their impact on the city.

Visiting this city was deeply enriching – to be honest, I didn’t expect it to be so grand and entertaining. Its history, culture, and resilience moved me. The city offers a unique window to understand the complexity of its past and celebrate its vibrant present. It is an experience that no student should miss while living in Belfast!

Find out more

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Living Abroad in Belfast: A Unique Experience

Isabella Barros De La Rosa Violence, Terrorism and Security Postgraduate Student | Colombia Hello, my name is Isabella Barros, I am 24 years old and I am from a beautiful city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia called Barranquilla. I am very into running and outdoor activities. That's why Belfast is so amazing to live in, because of the landscapes, and the spaces for this kind of hobby. Besides running and studying, you can find me in any bookstore, wandering around the city, or enjoying a pleasant coffee in a cute cafe!