Deeply marked by the conflicts between the British and the Irish, Derry was repeatedly the victim of humiliation and violence. Starting with the city’s very name, which to this day has 2 distinct appellations: Derry and Londonderry: Derry and Londonderry.
More precisely, the town has always been called Derry, but it was in the 17th century that it was sponsored by the London Guilds, and renamed “Londonderry”, with the aim of humiliating its inhabitants and gaining a foothold in the city. To this day, only Catholics (Nationalists) still refer to the town as “Derry”, while Protestants (Unionists) call it Londonderry.
Derry’s history is full of milestones that have forever shaped the face of the city and the country as a whole. From the Great Emigration to the tragedy of Bloody Sunday (1972), Derry is forever a historic and poignant city. Here’s a brief summary of the major events the city has experienced: