Historic Newport

Newport was created after the Normans conquered Gwent in 1093. In the early 12th century they built a castle by a ford in the River Usk. The town outgrew the earlier Roman town of Caerleon, gaining its first charter in 1314. It grew considerably in the 19th century, when its port became the centre of coal exports from the eastern valleys of south Wales. Until the rise of Cardiff from the 1850s, Newport was Wales’ largest coal-exporting port.
During the 20th century, the docks declined in importance, but Newport remained an important manufacturing and engineering centre for Wales. Newport suffered severely in the depression of the 1930s and unemployment was at a high, but its industries began to boom again when World War II began. Newport suffered a number of air raids during the Second World War. However after 1945 the town continued to flourish. In 1949 St Woolos Church was made a cathedral.

Social Media

Additional information on Newport can be found on its official website; Newport City Council and Newport City Council Twitter.

Famous Faces

A number of famous faces have originated from, or are connected to, Newport. Just a few are listed below.

Tony Pulis (born 16 January 1958) – Welsh football manager and former footballer, who was most recently manager of Crystal Palace.

Sir Terence Hedley Matthews KBE, FREng, FIEE (born 6 June 1943) – Welsh-Canadian business magnate, serial high tech entrepreneur and the first billionaire to be born in Wales.

Michael Sheen OBE (born 5 February 1969) – Welsh actor

Desmond Llewelyn (12 September 1914 – 19 December 1999) – Was a Welsh actor. He played Q in 17 of the James Bond films between 1963 and 1999.

Landmarks

Newport Castle

Not much remains of Newport’s pre-industrial past apart from the cathedral and the ruins of Newport Castle, squeezed between traffic-clogged Kings Way and the river. The castle was part destroyed by Owain Glynd?r in 1402 and was never properly refurbished. Only the section facing the river is still standing and sadly it’s not possible to enter the site.

St Woolos Cathedral/Newport Cathedral

Newport’s ancient cathedral provides a fascinating walk through history. The cathedral is the Diocese of Monmouth, in the Church in Wales, and seat of the Bishop of Monmouth. The name “Woolos” comes from Gwynllyw, the 5th-century Welsh saint who first founded a religious establishment on the site. When visiting the city, this is always a must-see for tourists.

Transporter Bridge

The spindly towers of the 1906 Transporter Bridge rise over the river, about a mile south of the city centre. A extraordinary piece of Edwardian engineering, it can carry up to six cars across the river in a gondola suspended beneath the high-level track, while still allowing ships to pass beneath. It’s also the largest of eight such bridges remaining in the world.

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Situated on the River Clyde in west central Scotland, Glasgow is a city renowned for its architecture, culture and friendly and welcoming people. There is a diverse collection of museums and art galleries, a huge variety of restaurants, loads of places to shop and some simply breath-taking pieces of architecture.

Glasgow was named the UK’s City of Architecture and Design in 1999, something that won’t surprise you when you see the city’s incredible Victorian buildings. Glasgow has gained a big reputation over the years for its participation in the live music scene, with many colourful parks scattered throughout the city.

The city was crowned the European City of Culture in 1990 and hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow is currently ranked as the 57^th most liveable city in the world.

Historic Glasgow

Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement on the River Clyde to become one of the largest seaports in Britain. It became a major centre of the Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century. From the 18th century the city also grew as one of Great Britain’s main hubs of transatlantic trade with North America and the West Indies.

With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the population and economy of Glasgow and the surrounding region expanded rapidly to become one of the world’s pre-eminent centres of chemicals, textiles and engineering; most notably in the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry.

Social Media

Additional information on Glasgow can be found on the Visit Glasgow website.

Famous Faces

A number of famous faces have originated from, or are connected to, Glasgow. Just a few famous Glaswegians are listed below:

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman – British Prime Minister

Duncan Bannatyne – Entrepreneur

Sir Alex Ferguson – Former Manchester United manager

Kenny Dalglish – Former football player and manager

Andy Murray – Current World No. 6 & British No. 1 Tennis Player

Gerard Butler – Actor (300, The Phantom of the Opera)

Billy Connolly – Comedian

Sports (Football)

The world’s first international football match was held in 1872 at the West of Scotland Cricket Club’s Hamilton Crescent ground in the Partick area of the city. The match, between Scotland and England finished 0–0.

Glasgow has three professional football clubs: Celtic, Rangers, and Partick Thistle. A fourth club, Queen’s Park, are an amateur club in the SPFL League 2. The history of football in the city, as well as the status of the Old Firm, attracts many visitors to football matches in the city throughout the season. The Scottish Football Association, the national governing body, and the Scottish Football Museum are based in Glasgow, as are the Scottish Professional Football League

Sights

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral is the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 virtually intact. There used to be a chanonry around it – a precinct where the bishops and clergy had their residences. The most interesting part of the cath­edral, the lower church, is reached by a stairway. Its forest of pillars creates a powerful atmosphere around St Mungo’s tomb, the focus of a famous medieval pilgrimage that was believed to be as meritorious as a visit to Rome. A must-see when visiting the city.

Burrell Collection

One of Glasgow’s top attractions was amassed by wealthy industrialist Sir William Burrell then donated to the city and is housed in an outstanding museum, in a park 3 miles south of the city centre. Burrell collected all manner of art from his teens to his death at 97, and this idiosyncratic collection of treasure includes everything from Chinese porcelain and medieval furniture to paintings by Degas and Cézanne. Regarded by many as one of best museums in Glasgow.

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With easy access to the A55, the city is an ideal starting base for tourists wanting to discover some of the beautiful hotspots in the north-east of Wales.

Historic St Asaph

St Asaph has been an important religious centre for centuries, dating as far back as AD560. The known story of St. Asaph (Llanelwy) begins in 576AD when St. Kentigern left his original foundation on the shores of the Clyde and is said to have taken flight to Wales in fear for his safety. Following a long journey during which he founded a number of churches in Cumbria, Kentigern settled in St. Asaph where he founded a monastery on the banks of the river Elwy before returning to his native Scotland.

St Asaph was always regarded as a city by many, even though it actually wasn’t officially. The town applied for city status in competitions held by the government in 2000 and 2002 (for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee) but was unsuccessful. In 2012 it again competed for the right to become a city as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. It was announced on 14 March 2012 that the application was successful and city status was to be bestowed upon St Asaph alongside Chelmsford and Perth. The status was formally granted by letters patent dated 1 June 2012.

Famous Faces

A number of famous faces have originated from, or are connected to, St Asaph. Just some are listed below.

Richard Ian Cox (born October 3, 1973) is a Welsh actor, voice artist, online radio host, and comedian.

William Morgan (1545 – 10 September 1604) was Bishop of Llandaff and of St Asaph, and the translator of the first verson of the whole Bible into Welsh from Greek and Hebrew.

Sir Henry Morton Stanley GCB (born John Rowlands; 28 January 1841 – 10 May 1904) was a Welsh journalist and explorer famous for his exploration of central Africa and his search for missionary and explorer David Livingstone.

Ian James Rush, MBE, (born 20 October 1961 in St Asaph, Wales) is a Welsh former footballer. Rush played for Liverpool F.C. from 1980-1987 and 1988-1996, and is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, having scored a total of 346 goals in all competitions during his two spells at the club.

Sightseeing

St Asaph Cathedral

St Asaph Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Diocese of St Asaph, one of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales. So many people visiting the city describe the cathedral as a hidden gem, even with its small size, the cathedral is a must see when exploring St Asaph. Britain’s smallest cathedral is the home of the William Morgan Bible and as such provides a vital link with Welsh culture and literature.

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St David’s is around two miles east of Whitesands Bay, a very popular watersports resort, regarded by many as one of the best tourist beaches in the world. In the 6th century, David founded a monastery and church at Glyn Rhosyn (Rose Vale) on the banks of the River Alun.

Historic St David’s

The city gets its name from Wales’ patron saint, Saint David. It’s known that David was born to Saint Non, at what is now St Non’s, just to the south of the city, around AD 500. Apparently, David was baptised at Porthclais (now the port in the city) and was raised by his mother at Llanon.

St David’s was given city status in the 16th century due to the presence of the magnificent Cathedral, but later lost the title in 1888. In 1994, Queen Elizabeth II requested that St David’s city status should be restored, and so it was.

Social Media

Additional information on St David’s can be found on its official website St David’s Online

Landmarks and sights

St. David’s Cathedral

The city’s Cathedral really is a must see. It was built on the site of a 6^th century chapel and dates mainly from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Extensive repairs were carried out in the 19th century by Sir George Gilbert Scott (architect of the Albert Memorial and St Pancras in London) to stabilise the building and repair damage caused by an earthquake in 1248 and the sloping, boggy ground on which it sits. The Cathedral has really unique atmosphere and features a richly carved 16th-century oak ceiling, adorned with pendants and bosses.

In August there are guided tours at 11:30am Monday and 2:30pm Friday. Tours can also be arranged at other times, but bookings must be made in advance.

Bishop’s Palace

Located just across the river from the city’s famous Cathedral, this atmospheric palace was built around the same time as the Cathedral. It’s final, imposing form owes most to Henry de Gower, bishop from 1327 to 1347. Its most distinctive feature is the arcaded parapet that runs around the courtyard, decorated with a chequerboard pattern of purple and yellow stone blocks. The distinctive purple sandstone, also used in the cathedral, comes from Caerbwdy Bay, a mile southeast of St Davids.

St. Non’s Bay

Immediately south of St Davids is this ruggedly beautiful spot, named after St David’s mother and traditionally accepted as his birthplace. A path leads down to the 13th-century ruins of St Non’s Chapel. Only the base of the walls remains, along with a stone marked with a cross within a circle, believed to date from the 7th century. Standing stones in the surrounding field suggest that the chapel may have been built within an ancient pagan stone circle.

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Located along the River Tay, Perth (the former capital of Scotland), is a central city in Scotland with a population close to 50,000 people. Perth is a great place to visit and live with large tracts of exciting parkland surrounding a enchanting city centre.

The city features fantastic architecture, fine galleries, excellent restaurants and is within easy striking distance of both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Following the decline of the local whisky industry, the city’s economy has now diversified to include insurance and banking. Main employers in the city now include Aviva, Royal Bank of Scotland and Scottish and Southern Energy.

The city gets its name from a Pictish word for wood or copse.

Historic Perth

There has been a settlement at Perth since prehistoric times, on a natural mound raised slightly above the flood plain of the Tay, where the river could be crossed at low tide.

Perth was once known as a ‘capital’ of Scotland, due to the frequent visits of the royal court. Royal Burgh status was eventually handed to the area by King William the Lion at the start of the 12^th century.

Social Media

Additional information on Perth can be found on the Perth City website

Famous Faces

A number of famous faces have originated from, or are connected to, Perth. Just some are listed below.

Television Personality and Nutritionist Gillian McKeith was born in Perth…

Actor Ewan McGregor was also born in Perth and raised in nearby Crieff…

Stagecoach Group co-founders Brian Souter and Ann Gloag…

Sir George Mathewson was educated at Perth Academy…

Sights

Scone Palace

The original palace of 1580, built on a site intrinsic to Scottish history, was rebuilt in the early 19th century as a Georgian mansion of extreme elegance and luxury. The visit takes you through a succession of sumptuous rooms filled with fine French furniture and noble portraits. Outside, peacocks strut around the magnificent grounds, which incorporate woods, a butterfly garden and a maze.

Perth Museum

The city’s main museum is worth wandering through for the elegant neoclassical interior alone. There’s a varied shower of exhibits, ranging from portraits of dour lairds to interesting local social history. A geological room provides more entertainment for the young, while there are often excellent temporary exhibitions.

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Bangor is a city in North West Wales, in the unitary authority of Gwynedd. With a population of 17,575 (2011 census) Bangor is one of the smallest cities in Britain and the only the 36^th largest urban area by population in Wales, even though it is only one of six places classed as a city in the country.

Over 10,000 students from 85 countries worldwide are educated at Bangor University. The University is a huge part of Bangor’s identity and was built in 1884 following funding by local quarrymen who volunteered to give some of their wages towards providing a better standard of higher education. In various cost-of-living surveys, the city of Bangor has been constantly ranked as one of the most economical areas to study in the UK.

The findings of 2001 census reveal that 46.6% of the city’s population (not including students from Bangor University) speak Welsh, which is relatively little for Gwynedd. Despite these findings, the Welsh language is used as much as possible by locals, giving the language prominence in the city to this day. You are sure to receive a warm welcome in Bangor, whether that be in English or Welsh.

Historic Bangor

The city of Bangor can be dated back as early as the 6th century AD. The name ‘Bangor’ originated from an old Welsh word for a wattled enclosure, just like the one that initially enclosed the cathedral site.

The building isn’t the oldest and definitely not the biggest, the bishopric (diocese) of Bangor is one of the oldest in Britain.

In 1877, the former HMS Clio was used for education, as a school. The ship was moored on the Menai Strait at Bangor and could accommodate up to 260 pupils. The school was closed after the end of World War I, and the ship was broken up and sold for scrap in 1919.

Social Media

Additional information on Bangor can be found on the Visit Snowdonia website.

Famous Faces

A number of famous faces have originated from, or are connected to, Bangor. Just some are listed below.

Amie Ann Duffy, known as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter and occasional actress.

Cai Griffiths, a rugby player for London Welsh.

Matthew Dent, a graphic designer. His designs were selected for the new reverse sides of seven coins of the pound sterling, after a competition open to the public by the Royal Mint on April 2^nd 2008.

Sights

Garth Pier

Given the large expanse of mudflats exposed at high tide, it’s surprising that the Victorians chose to build one of Britain’s longest pleasure piers here. Built in 1896, Garth Pier stretches 460m into the Menai Strait, reaching most of the way to Anglesey. Shops and kiosks are scattered along the pier and there’s a tearoom at the very end. In the distance you catch the sun glinting off Thomas Telford’s striking Menai Suspension Bridge.

Bangor Cathedral

More formally known as the Cathedral Church of St Deiniol, this building occupies one of the oldest ecclesiastical sites in Britain, dating from AD 525 when the saint founded his community here. The earliest part of today’s stone church dates to the 12th century, although that building was largely destroyed in 1211 during a raid by England’s King John, whose men also burned the city. Further ravages took place in the 13th century, during Edward I’s invasion, and in 1402, during the Glynd?r uprising. Two centuries later Cromwell’s men used the cathedral as stables.

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Lisburn is a city in Northern Ireland, situated on the River Lagan, southwest of the capital Belfast. Forming a section of the Belfast metropolitan area, Lisburn has a population close to 72,000, making it the third largest city in Northern Ireland.

Set in the beautiful Lagan Valley the area covers 174 square miles of contrasting scenery from the gentle drumlins of the open countryside to its many picturesque towns and villages. The City centre still retains many architectural buildings and streets dating from the 18th century but it is also a lively bustling modern city.

Lisburn was previously a borough and was granted city status in 2002 as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Historic Lisburn

In the 1620s, Lisburn’s streets were pretty much the same as they are set out today, including Bow Street, Market Square, Castle Street and Bridge Street. In 1628, Sir Edward Conway acquired a charter from King Charles I, which granted the town to hold a weekly market. To this day, the market is still held every Tuesday in the city. The Manor House was ruined in the l fire of 1707 and was sadly never rebuilt (Lisburn’s Latin motto, Ex igne resurgam, refers to this event).

Lisburn was significant in regards to Ireland’s linen industry, which began in 1698 by Louis Crommelin and various other people. Many people consider the city the birthplace of Ireland’s linen industry, and an exhibition detailing it all can be found in the Irish Linen Centre, located in the old Market House in Market Square.

Social Media

Additional information on Lisburn can be found on the Visit Lisburn website and Visit Lisburn Facebook page.

Famous Faces

Sir Richard Wallace created baronet in 1871 and was Member of Parliament for Lisburn from 1873 to 1885.

William David Trimble, Baron Trimble, is a politician who was the first First Minister of Northern Ireland from 1998 to 2002, and the Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party from 1995 to 2005.

Sights

Hillsborough Fort

Set in Hillsborough Forest and built on the site of the old Magennes stronghold, the Fort was built in 1630 by Peter Hill and completed around 1650 by Colonel Arthur Hill. The structure was constituted as a Royal Fort by Charles II.

Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum

This award winning museum is located in Lisburn’s oldest building; the 17th Century Market House, which can be found in the city centre. It brings to life the history of the Irish Linen Industry and its importance to Lisburn. Visitors can see the heritage of craft skills in the daily demonstrations of hand-spinning and handloom-weaving and admire the treasured collection of damask linen and costumes.

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Swansea, officially known as the City and County of Swansea, is a city and county on the south coast of Wales. The city has a population of over 239,000 making it the second largest city in Wales after the capital, Cardiff. Swansea is in fact the twenty-sixth largest city in the United Kingdom and is situated next to the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan on the beautiful south west Wales coast.

During its industrial heyday, Swansea was a key centre of the copper industry, often being associated with the nickname ‘Copperopolis’ in the 19th century.

When visiting Swansea, be sure to bring a raincoat with you as the Met Office rank it as the wettest city in Britain. But don’t let that steer you away from one of the UK’s most picturesque cities, because during midsummer, Swansea’s temperatures can soar into the high twenties Celsius.

Historic Swansea

Swansea was once called Sweins ey, which means Swein’s island. The island stood in the mouth of the River Tawe. Who Swein was is not known for sure but he may have been a Norseman who built a fort on the island about 1000 AD and used it as a base for raiding the Welsh coast.
The town of Swansea was founded in the early 12th century when the Normans conquered the area. The Norman lord built a wooden castle on the site of Worcester Place. A town soon grew up by the castle. The garrison of Swansea castle provided a market for the people of the town and all their goods. Many of the townspeople were English immigrants. Around 1158, Swansea was given a charter and King John gave Swansea another charter in 1215.

Social Media

Additional information on Newry can be found on the City and County of Swansea website and Swansea Council Twitter.

Representation in the media

Swansea has been used as a location for films such as Only Two Can Play, Submarine and Twin Town, the TV series Mine All Mine and in episodes of Doctor Who.

Swansea was the first city in Wales to feature in its own version of the board game Monopoly. The Swansea edition of Monopoly features 33 local landmarks and has been produced in both English and Welsh.

Famous Faces

Catherine Zeta-Jones CBE, actress

Bonnie Tyler, singer

Chris Coleman, former footballer and current Welsh National team manager

Rob Brydon MBE, comedian, actor and presenter

Sights

Maritime Quarter

WWII bombing flattened much of central Swansea, which was rebuilt as a rather soulless retail development in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. What little remains of Georgian and Victorian Swansea stretches from Wind St and York St to Somerset Pl and Cambrian Way in the Maritime Quarter; this is the most attractive part of the city centre.

The Mumbles

The Mumbles have been Swansea’s seaside retreat since 1807, when the Oystermouth Railway was opened. Built for transporting coal, the horse-drawn carriages were soon converted for paying customers, and the Mumbles train became the first passenger railway service in the world. Newly fashionable in recent years, with top-notch restaurants competing for trade along the promenade, the Mumbles got a huge boost to its reputation when its most famous daughter, Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, built a £2 million luxury mansion at Limeslade, on the south side of the peninsula.

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Newry is a city in Northern Ireland, with a population close to 30,000. The city is 43 miles from Belfast and 67 miles from Dublin and has the River Clanrye running through it, which forms the historic border between County Armagh and County Down.

In March 2002, as part of Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, Newry was granted city status alongside Lisburn. Despite being the fourth largest city in Northern Ireland it is not the fourth largest settlement. Newry has long been an important centre of trade because of its position between Belfast and Dublin.

Newry is one of the country’s foremost shopping destinations with an array of traditional independent traders and multi-national retailers, which combine to provide great shopping opportunities. The town that was built on its trading traditions today still provides some of the best shopping in Ireland.

Historic Newry

It is believed that Newry was founded in 1144 together with a Cistercian monastery, however there are several ancient references referring to earlier settlements in the abbey area, where it is believed the first religious foundation was that of St Patrick.

The city’s name originates from this story, with the old name being Iuir Cinn Tra (The Head of the Strand), which eventually was revised and shortened to the word Newry. The monastery founded by St Patrick was burnt in 1162 along with the yew tree.

The railways arrived in 1849 bringing not further development but subordination as traffic on the inland canal dramatically decreased and Belfast’s dominance in Ulster grew.

By 1881 the population of Newry had reached its 19th century zenith of 15,590 but from the turn of the century until the 1960s there was a period of decline as the inland canal, the mills, the tram and the railways all closed.

Newry saw several violent incidents during the conflict known as the Troubles. These went on into the late 1990s and even in 2010 – such as bomb scares and car bombs.

Social Media

Additional information on Newry can be found on the Visit Newry & Mourne website and Destination Newry Twitter.

Famous Faces

Tomm Moore, an Oscar nominated filmmaker, was born in Newry before moving to Kilkenny at an early age.

Luv Bug were a pop group who represented Ireland at the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest that originated from Newry.

Daybreak host Christine Bleakley was born in Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry in 1979.

Sights

Canals

The Newry Canal opened in 1742. It is the oldest Canal in Ireland or Britain and runs parallel to the river through the town centre, and is a focus for the city’s redevelopment. A cycle path runs 30km north to Portadown, following the route of the canal.
Newry Ship Canal runs 6km south towards Carlingford Lough. Designed by Sir John Rennie, the civil engineer who designed Waterloo, Southwark and London bridges in London, the ship canal allowed large, sea-going vessels to reach Albert Basin in the centre of Newry.

Newry & Mourne Museum

This museum is housed in Bagenal’s Castle, the town’s oldest surviving building, with exhibits on the Newry Canal and local archaeology, culture and folklore. Recently rediscovered (having been incorporated into more recent buildings), the 16th-century castle was built for Nicholas Bagenal, grand marshal of the English army in Ireland.

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Derry, officially Londonderry, is the second largest city in Northern Ireland with a population of 107,877, accounting for 5.96% of the Northern Ireland total. The historic walled city is situated on the west bank of the River Foyle, which features one footbridge and two road bridges. Derry is known for its hilly landscape, with the River Foyle forming a deep valley through the city, making it a place of steep streets and breath-taking views.

In 2013, Derry was named the UK City of Culture, previously being awarded the title in 2010.

Historic Derry

Said to have been founded in the 6th century by Saint Colmcille (or St Columba), Derry was renamed Londonderry in 1613 upon the award of its Royal Charter by King James I. The city was the first planned city in Ireland, with the walls being completed in 1619, at a cost of £10,757.

During World War II, the city played a vital part in the Battle of the Atlantic. Ships from the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy, and other allied navies were posted in the city and the United States military also established a base. Over 20,000 Royal Navy, 10,000 Royal Canadian Navy, and 6,000 American Navy personnel were stationed in the city during the war. The establishment of the American presence in the city was the result of a secret agreement between the Americans and the British before the Americans entered the war. It was to be the first American naval base in Europe and the terminal for American convoys heading into Europe.

Social Media

Additional information on Derry can be found on the Visit Derry website and Visit Derry Twitter.

Famous Faces

A number of famous faces have originated from, or are connected to, Derry. Just some are listed below.

Frederick Hervey, Bishop of Derry and 4th Earl of Bristol

Former Leicester City, Celtic and Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill

Social Democratic and Labour Party founder and Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume

Actresses Amanda Burton and Roma Downey

Authors Joyce Cary, Seamus Deane, Jennifer Johnston and Nell McCafferty

Girls Aloud member Nadine Coyle

Sports

Derry is home to a number of sports teams and clubs, with football and Gaelic football being the most popular in the city. Just some of the teams and clubs are listed below.

Football

Derry City FC are professional and play at the Brandywell Stadium in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Institute FC are semi-professional and play at the Riverside Stadium in the NIFL Premiership.

Oxford United Stars FC play at the Swilly Stadium and currently compete in the Northern Ireland Intermediate League.

Gaelic Football

Derry GAA are the county team and play in the Gaelic Athletic Association’s National Football League, Ulster Senior Football Championship and All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. They also field hurling teams in the equivalent tournaments. There are many Gaelic games clubs in and around the city, for example Na Magha CLG, Steelstown GAC, Doire Colmcille CLG, Seán Dolans GAC, Na Piarsaigh CLG Doire Trasna and Slaughtmanus GAC.

Sights

St Columb’s Cathedral

Built between 1628 and 1633 from the same grey-green schist as the city walls, this was the first post- Reformation church to be erected in Britain and Ireland, and is also oldest surviving building in the city.

Tower Museum

The award winning Tower Museum is set within the city’s historic walls at Union Hall Place. Permanent exhibitions at the museum include The Story of Derry exhibition and the An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera exhibition.

Guildhall

Standing just outside the city walls, the neo-Gothic Guildhall was originally built in 1890, then rebuilt after a fire in 1908. The Guildhall is noted for its fine stained glass windows, and its clock tower which is modelled on London’s Big Ben. Following a major restoration in 2012–13, the Guildhall now hosts a historical exhibition on the Plantation of Ulster, and is also a tourist information point.

Harbour Museum

The small, old-fashioned Harbour Museum, with models of ships, a replica of a currach (an early sailing boat of the type that carried St Colmcille to Iona) and the bosomy figurehead of the Minnehaha, is housed in the old Harbour Commissioner’s Building next to the Guildhall.

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