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Derry/Londonderry 'A Short History' Derry or Doire or Londonderry or The Maiden City located on the banks of the great river Foyle can boast a very comprehensive history. It has been a place inhabited by people since prehistoric times. It was once an Oak grove held sacred by Druids of an elder faith. It then became the site of a monastery founded by St Columb Cille who left the place in self exile from a rock at Thornhill in the North of the city where a convent now stands. This rock still bears his foot prints and is held sacred to many Catholics and Christians. Derry is also a place that saw the investment of English Kings, making it a thriving port city and the largest city in Ireland for generations, the name Londonderry comes from this investment by the London guilds. It has also seen the violence of constant attacks and invasions by the English and the Gaelic Lords, such as the famous Cahir O'Doherty who burned the city to the ground after killing the English Garrison. It is a city famous for its walls that have on two occasions helped in its defence during long sieges. The most famous siege was that held by the English King James, in person. Denied the city, he had no strong foot-hold in the North west of Ireland. This factor contributed to his defeat by the forces of William of Orange at the battle of the Boyne. Altering Irish and English History for the nest few hundred years. Derry has also borne witness to some of the worst attrocities in the history of Northern Irelands troubles such as Bloody Sunday. Its history makes it a special place to visit. But it is not only that it has a detailed history that makes it a good place to visit. Its history is in plain view. The Walls still stand, nearly completely the same since the second siege under King James. The famous Bogside is still there and can be viewed from the heights of Creggan of from the walls themselves showing of an impressive array of murals and monuments dedicated to the struggle of its community. In fact the visiting the murals of Derry can take up a whole day. Loyalists and Republican areas now compete to display their history on the walls of their homes. Both communities giving impressive artistic displays. Derry hosts history from the very ancient to the very modern. It is a city that can bost of a heritage that has affected British society as much as it has affected Irish and Gaelic society. Not only can you instantly see our history but the local people here would be happy to tell you their own. 
The History of Pride in our City The first incarnation of Foyle Gay Pride kicked off in 1993 when a small group of committed activists decided it was time to make a visible stand and show the city that there was a thriving community that was being ignored and the wider community were not aware existed. The small festival then called 'Derry Pride' lasted for two years. In 1995, 'North West Pride' was born, a 10 day festival taking in several venues giving the LGBT community more visibility than ever in the north west of Ireland. A major launch at the Tower Museum which brought a few hundred from the community and a fantastic 10 days being had by all. North West Pride continued on a yearly basis until 2002 (when the situation warranted a suspension) and was a community led festival involving a broad range of people from differing backgrounds. In 2007 the festival was re named Foyle Pride. It was launched by the Minister for Social Development (Margaret Ritchie MLA) with the Pride Programme being launched by the deputy First Minister (Martin McGuinness MP MLA). Over 2500 people participated in the weeks events, with the Pride Ball event, attracting over 500 people, acting as the big finale. The painting pink of the Free Derry Wall attracted worldwide media attention, receiving press coverage from as far afield as the USA, New Zealand and Taiwan to name but a few. This put Foyle Pride on the world map. Foyle Pride continued to grow from then with 2008/09 seeing the Festival succeed and grow into an event that attracted not only people from Derry but from around the world. In 2010 the Festival was then taken over by a small group of Women through hard work and sheer determination it culminated in the first ever Gay Pride Parade to be held in Derry/Londonderry. The Parade attracted around 6,500 people of all age groups, genders, nationallities, cultures, sexual orientations, backgrounds and was lead by the Mayor of the city Cllr Colum Eastwood, our local MPS and Civil Rights Icons Eamonn McCann and Bernadette Devlin-McAlliskay with the party in Guildhall Square being introduced by International Actress, singer and local Bronagh Gallagher. In 2013 Derry celebrates being the UK City of Culture and Foyle Gay Pride will celebrate it's 20th Birthday. MORE AT FOYLE QUEER HISTORY PROJECT |
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