What's on in County Londonderry

County Londonderry (or County Derry) is one of Northern Ireland’s six counties and also one of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland, situated within the historic province of Ulster. It covers an area of about 2000 square kilometers and is located on the north west of Lough Neagh (the largest lake in Ireland). It is blessed with some of Irelands most spectacular landscapes, including wonderful Atlantic coastline in the north of the county which is made up of remarkable beaches, ancient dunes and steep, jagged cliffs and river valleys (of the Foyle and Bann rivers) to the east and west, with the Sperrin Mountain Range dominating the southern county terrain.

The main city is of course the famous walled city of Derry and most visitors will want to spend some time there. It is a city packed with history, from the 17th century walls themselves to the original four gates of Bishops Gate, Shipquay Gate, Nutcher Gate and Ferryquay Gate. With sites ranging from St. Augustine’s Church to the gothic Cathedral of St. Columb and from the historic courthouse to the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall; and not forgetting hundreds of beautiful Georgian and Victorian buildings, history buffs won’t want to leave. In addition, for more recent history there are the famed Bogside murals and the Bogside itself as well as numerous museums from the Museum of Free Derry to the Chapter House Museum, the Workhouse Museum and the Harbour Museum. For those wanting something outdoors there is the Amelia Earhart Centre and Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Trust Plantation estate in Springhill. In the north of the county there is the Garvagh Forest and Portstewart Strand Blue Flag Beach whilst in the center there are the elegant old deciduous forests of Ness Wood and Banagher with the Burntollet River flowing over Northern Ireland’s highest waterfalls. Simply stunning, and well worth visiting.