Guildhall Welcome Flyer
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Step into the <strong>Guildhall</strong><br />
We warmly welcome you to the <strong>Guildhall</strong>,<br />
in the heart of the city.<br />
You’ll find yourself in another world where<br />
the grandeur of the Victorian era meets the<br />
vibrancy of the 21st century.<br />
Amidst the splendour of this magnificent<br />
building, the <strong>Guildhall</strong> is a living, breathing<br />
hub of activity, welcoming visitors from<br />
around the world for business and leisure<br />
while fulfilling its civic role with the<br />
Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour<br />
housed within its walls.<br />
A brief history of the<br />
<strong>Guildhall</strong><br />
The <strong>Guildhall</strong> sits majestically overlooking the<br />
River Foyle on one side and the City Walls on<br />
the other, central to all civic life in Derry -<br />
Londonderry.<br />
The Grade A listed building, erected in the<br />
1880s in the neo-gothic style by The<br />
Honourable The Irish Society, was named in<br />
honour of the historic link to the City of London<br />
and its guilds. It officially opened in 1890 and<br />
has been rebuilt and restored following a fire in<br />
1908 and two bombings in 1972.<br />
Ulster Plantation Exhibition<br />
Take a journey through the Plantation of Ulster<br />
Exhibition on the ground floor where you can<br />
learn about the colonisation of Ulster during<br />
the reign of King James I in the 17th<br />
Century and the building of our famous city<br />
walls through this fascinating interactive<br />
experience.<br />
Valuable artefacts such as the Great<br />
Parchment Book and local 17th century maps<br />
are on display to bring to life this pivotal period<br />
in both Ireland’s and Britain’s history.<br />
Main Hall & Organ<br />
The Main Hall situated on the first floor hosts everything<br />
from concerts to craft fairs, as well as weddings and<br />
private functions. With two balconies and a roof<br />
constructed of mahogany panels framed with Californian<br />
red wood, its opulence and charm lends itself to any<br />
occasion.<br />
The Main Hall is the perfect setting for the magnificent<br />
century-old organ which was installed by Messer Hill &<br />
Sons in 1914 at a cost of £897. It is still used today for<br />
performances. Also see our time capsule - the items<br />
were contained in a sealed glass jar which dates back to<br />
the laying of the first foundation stone of <strong>Guildhall</strong> on<br />
August 23rd, 1887.<br />
Stained Glass Windows<br />
Throughout the <strong>Guildhall</strong> is an array of stunning stained<br />
glass windows, capturing some of the most important<br />
moments in the history of Derry- Londonderry, as well<br />
as iconic landmarks in the cityscape.<br />
Mayor’s Parlour and<br />
Council Chamber<br />
When the <strong>Guildhall</strong> opened in 1890, it was the<br />
administrative centre for Londonderry Corporation. More<br />
than a century on, it still retains its civic function and is<br />
home to Derry City and Strabane District Council<br />
Chamber on the first floor and the Mayor’s Parlour on<br />
the ground floor. It is the only surviving <strong>Guildhall</strong> still in<br />
civic use in Ireland.