Derry Visitor Guide - Discover Northern Ireland

13www.derryvisitor.com12info@derryvisitor.com visitor attractionsPrehen HousePrehen Road, BT47 2PBT: (028) 7134 2829F: (028) 7134 9432E: admin@prehen.netwww.prehen.netPrehen House is one of the North West’s most historicbuildings. Situated next to the famous woods, itcommands stunning views of Derry, the River Foyle andthe hills beyond.Prehen is intimately linked with the history of Derry.Records reveal that it was inhabited by 1640; in 1738the Knox family began their great association withPrehen when Andrew Knox, the MP for Donegal marriedHonoria Tomkins, the Prehen heiress.OPENING HOURS:Tues-Sun 2.00pm-5.00pm.Other times by request.Groups of 10 or more by appointment.ADMISSION: House Tour - Adult £4.00/€6 Children£1/€1.50 Groups welcome.Riverwatch Visitor Centre and Aquarium22 Victoria Road, BT47 2ABT: (028) 7134 2100 F: (028) 7134 2720E: riverwatch@loughs-agency.orgwww.loughs-agency.orgThe Riverwatch Visitor Centre tells the story of thewonderful and natural environment ofthe Foyle and Carlingford Loughs.Watch fantastic local footage andlearn about the amazing lifecycle of the salmon, angling,shellfish and much more. Thenew aquarium tanks give anextraordinary window to afascinating underwater world. Comeand explore the wonder of nature.OPENING HOURS:Mon–Fri 10.00am to 4.00pm.Evenings and weekends upon request.ADMISSION: FreeSt. Columb’s CathedralLondon Street, BT48 6RQT: (028) 7126 7313E: stcolumbs@ic24.netwww.stcolumbscathedral.orgSt Columb’s Cathedral is the mosthistoric building in the City. TheChapter House Museum hasmany interesting items from theSiege of 1689 and newinformation panels tell the historyof the Cathedral and some of thepersonalities associated with it.OPENING HOURS:Mon-Sat all year 9.00am-5.00pmSunday Services – All Welcome.ADMISSION:£2.00/€3 per person.Special rate for school groups. Groups welcome.The Amelia Earhart CentreBallyarnett Country Park, BT48 7UFT/F: (028) 7135 4040E: museums@derrycity.gov.ukwww.derrycity.gov.uk/museumsThis exhibition centre was erected tocommemorate the unexpectedlanding of Amelia Earhart on herhistoric solo flight across theAtlantic on 21 May 1932.Museum guide available fortour of centre, who will showwhere Amelia Earhart landedand ready to answer any questionson the event. The centre is located inthe north of the city in Ballyarnett Country Park.OPENING HOURS:Mon–Thurs 9.00am–4.00pm, Fri 9.00am–1.00pm.ADMISSION: FreeThe GuildhallGuildhall Square, BT48 6DQT: (028) 7137 7335F: (028) 7137 7964This neo-Gothic style buildinghouses some of the finestexamples of stained glasswindows in Ireland andis the civic and culturalcentre for the people ofthe city.OPENING HOURS:Mon–Fri 9.00am–5.00pm.ADMISSION: FreeTower MuseumUnion Hall Place, BT48 6LUT: (028) 7137 2411E: museums@derrycity.gov.ukwww.derrycity.gov.uk/museumsThis award winning Museum contains two permanentexhibitions.An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad ValenceraExhibition displays many of the objects recovered fromone of the largest ships from the Spanish Armada, LaTrinidad Valencera. This vessel sunk in Kinnegoe Bay,County Donegal, in 1588. The exhibition tells the story ofthe discovery of the shipwreck by the City of DerrySub-Aqua Club in 1971 and the subsequent recovery ofthe artefacts by a team of underwater archaeologists.The Story of Derry exhibition details the history of theCity from its geological formation through to the presentday covering subjects as diverse as early monasticism,Plantation, the Siege of Derrythrough to the recent Troubles.OPENING HOURS/ADMISSION:Please telephone in advance toconfirm opening hours andadmission charges.Workhouse Museum23 Glendermott Road, BT47 6BGT: (028) 7131 8328E: museums@derrycity.gov.ukwww.derrycity.gov.uk/museumsThis museum contains the Atlantic Memorial,an exhibition detailing the part played by the City in theBattle of the Atlantic during World War II and otherexhibits dealing with Workhouse life and the GreatFamine. It also hosts temporary exhibitions.OPENING HOURS:Mon-Thurs and Sat:10.00am-4.30pm.Closed Fri and Sun.ADMISSION: FreeMuralsThere are quite a number of unique wall murals locatedthroughout the city which are symbolic of the differentcommunities depictions of life through ‘The ‘Troubles’:Three local artists Tom Kelly, William Kelly andKevin Hasson (known as the BogsideArtists) have created The People's Galleryin the Bogside area of Derry. It is a seriesof large-scale murals depicting the keyevents in Northern Ireland since 'TheTroubles' began in October 1968. Thefamous wall-paintings span the entirelength of Rossville Street in the heart ofThe Bogside and they present a windowinto the politics, people and history ofNorthern Ireland. The majority of theBogside Murals reflect events that occurredin the Bogside in the past and one mural– The Peace Mural looks to the futurewith the idealist image of a dove. Theartists have a studio in the Bogsidelocated behind the Bogside Inn.The Fountain Estate close to the City Wallsis home to one of the oldest King Billymurals with many murals linked to thefamous Siege of Derry in 1689.Co.DerryHezlett House- The National TrustHezlett Farm, 107 Sea Road,Castlerock, BT51 4TWT: (028) 2073 1582/2073 2972F: (028) 2073 2963E: hezletthouse@nationaltrust.org.ukwww.ntni.org.ukThis idyllic thatched cottage located only45 minutes from City of Derry, provides thevisitor with the opportunity to see timber frames thatdate back over 300 years as well as a very interestingcruck-truss roof construction.OPENING HOURS:Please telephone in advance to confirm opening hours.ADMISSION: House Tour -Adult: £3.00/€4 Child: £2.00/€3Family: £8.00/€12 Group: £2.30/€3ppGroup outside normal hrs: £4.00/€6Mussenden Temple & Downhill Demesne- The National Trustc/o North Coast Office,60 Causeway Road,Bushmills, BT57 8SUT: (028) 2073 1582F: (028) 2071 2963E: downhilldemesne@nationaltrust.org.ukwww.ntni.org.ukSet on a stunning and wildheadland with fabulousviews over Ireland’s northcoast is the 18th centuryestate of Downhill. Itincludes the renownedMussenden Temple andDownhill ruins.OPENING HOURS:Please telephone inadvance to confirm openinghours.ADMISSION:Grounds & Temple -Adult: £2.30/€3 Child: £1.60/€2Family: £6.20/€9 Group: £2.00/€3Group outside normal hours: £4.00/€6Springhill- The National Trust20 Springhill Road,Moneymore, BT45 7NQT/F: (028) 8674 8210E: springhill@nationaltrust.org.ukwww.ntni.org.ukGuided tours of this ‘Plantation’ house are captivating!Expert guides relate stories of up to 300 years ago,including those of a resident ghost! Other attractionsinclude an exquisite costume collection, beautiful walledgardens, tea room, shop, children’s adventure trail, playpark and a caravan site.OPENING HOURS:Please telephone in advance to confirm opening hours.ADMISSION:House Grounds & Costume Collection -Adult: £6.00/€9 Child: £3.00/€4Family: £15.00/€22 Group: £4.80/€7Group outside normal hours: £6.50/€9visitor attractions