DCSDC - Hidden Heritage trail

Explore
our Hidden
Heritage
Venues
Sion
Stables
Museum
Aras Cholmcille
- St Columba
Heritage
Centre
The
Guildhall
Carlisle Road
Methodist Church
Alley
Theatre
Museum of
Free Derry
First Derry
Blue Coat
School
Heritage
Centre
St. Columb’s
Hall
St. Eugene’s
Cathedral
St. Columb’s
Cathedral
The
Siege
Museum
St. Augustine’s
Church
Church of the
Immaculate
Conception
The Tower
Museum
St. Columb’s
Church, Long
Tower
www.derrystrabane.com

Heritage
Venues
The Heritage Venues Group
is committed to sharing
their collective heritage
as a unique offering to
visitors to the region.
Their mission is to engage
beyond traditional heritage
audiences by showing how
the unique, intricate and
cultural heritage of the
North-West can benefit the
overall visitor experience.
By enhancing the sense of
place through its history,
visitors can take home the
knowledge that they viewed
the landscape where events
occurred that shaped the
very formation of Western
Europe today.
Creggan St.
St Eugene’s
Cathedral
Gasyard
Heritage
Centre
16
Westland St.
St Columba’s
Church
Long Tower
Little Diamond
Lecky Rd.
8
Francis St
Freder
ick S t.
Fahan St.
Lisfannon Pk.
Long Tower St.
Barrack St.
1 & 7
Abbey St.
Wells
St. Columb’s
Bishop
Gate
William St.
11
Fahan St.
Bishop St. Without
2
Rossville St.
St.
Palace
P
P
St. Columb’s Ct.
Society St.
P
Chambe
The Fountain
Pat
Butc
Gate
12
Bishop St. Wit
S
Ch
Ba
Heritage
Tower
www.derrystrabane.com
1 Aras Cholmcille
- St Columba Heritage Centre
2 St. Augustine’s Church
3 Carlisle Road Methodist Church
4 Church of the Immaculate
Conception Strabane
5 St. Columb’s Cathedral
6 St. Columb’s Hall
7 St. Columb’s Church, Long Tower
8 St. Eugene’s Cathedral

Link
Patrick St
Strand Rd.
ut
am St.
Rossville St.
an St.
St.
Palace
P
P
Society St.
P
St. Columb’s Ct.
The Fountain
Heritage
Tower
Chamberlain St.
Butcher
Gate
12
Bishop St. Within
Sally Port
Church
Bastion
High St.
10
5
London St.
Waterloo St.
Waterloo
Place
Castle
Gate
Magazine St.
Craft
Village
Richmond
Shopping
Centre
The
Diamond
Shipquay St.
Ferryquay St.
Pump St.
Aubrey St. Wapping Lane
P
Artillery St.
Kennedy Pl.
Hands
Across
the Divide
statues
P
Tower Museum
14
Hawkin St.
Millennium
Forum
Fountain St.
Ferryquay
Gate
New
Gate
Horace St.
Presb.
Church
Guildhall
Shipquay
Gate
Carlisle Rd.
John St.
P
Orchard St.
Bridge St.
3
P
9 The Guildhall
10 First Derry Blue Coat School
Heritage Centre
11 Museum of Free Derry
P
Foyle Rd.
Foyle Embankment
Water St.
St. Columb’s Hall
Foyleside
Shopping
Centre
P
Peace
Bridge
St.
Foyle
River Foyle
P
Tourist
Information
Services
Foyleside
Roundabout
12 The Siege Museum
13 Sion Stables Museum
14 The Tower Museum
15 The Alley Arts and
Conference Centre
16 Gasyard Heritage Centre (in development)
9
6
Craigavon Bridge
(Double Deck)
13
4
15
17 miles
14 miles
14 miles
Duke St.
Ebrington
Square
P
P
P
Waterside
Duke Street
Roundabout
Spencer Rd

Aras Cholmcille -
St Columba Heritage Centre
Walk in the footsteps of Derry’s patron saint – the devout,
charismatic and fiery master-scribe St. Columba, also known
as St. Colmcille. Immerse yourself in Early Christian Ireland,
beautifully illustrated through its flowing manuscript art. Housed
in a beautifully restored 19th-century school building, learn about
the origins of the city through unique artefacts, supplemented by
interactive displays that illuminate the incredible story of one of
the most influential Saints in Western Europe.
Open Monday to Saturday - 10.30 am to 3 pm.
59-61
Long Tower Street
Derry ~ Londonderry
BT48
+44 28 7136 8491
www.stcolumbaheritage.com
hello@stcolumbaheritage.com
www.derrystrabane.com

St. Augustine’s Church
St Augustine’s church is on the site of an abbey directly associated
with the early monastic settlement founded by St. Columba in
546AD. It is situated in a charming location adjacent to the city
walls. In 1164 the ancient church was surrounded by a cashel.
The little abbey on the site of St. Augustine’s Church was called
Dubh Regles (Black Church) and was regularly referenced as
a place of worship for settlers arriving in the city. The present
building, dating from 1872, was built in the neo-gothic style of
whinstone with sandstone dressings and was consecrated by
Bishop William Alexander, husband of the famous hymn writer,
Frances Cecil Alexander. St. Augustine’s has a unique history and
is a thriving, living church, with a faithful congregation.
Palace Street
Londonderry
BT48 6PS
www.staugustines.co.uk
weechurch@btinternet.com

Carlisle Road Methodist Church
Built between 1901 and 1903, this Edwardian late-Gothic Revival
church is nestled on the eastern side of Carlisle Road. Behind the
1901 foundation stone lies a time capsule, containing a newspaper
of that time and a list of church members.
The church building, designed by AE Foreman, was built “theatre
style “with sloping aisles and a semicircular gallery. With its ornate
wood paneling and stained-glass windows contained within Tudor
arch windows, this stunning sandstone church is considered one
of the finest in Irish Methodism. A fine organ is also positioned
behind the Pulpit.
In the words of our Founder- John Wesley- our aim is
“to be friends of all and enemies of none.”
If you would like to visit please phone in advance.
21 Carlisle Rd,
Londonderry
BT48 6JJ
+447875861170
www.derrystrabane.com

Church of the Immaculate
Conception Strabane
The Church of the Immaculate Conception was dedicated on the
15th of September 1895 by the Bishop of Derry, the Rev. Dr. O’
Doherty, alongside Cardinal Logue, the Catholic Primate of All
Ireland. The building, designed in 13th century French Gothic style,
is cruciform in shape and built of rough sandstone, quarried locally
at Curley Hill. It is dominated by a spire and a bronze cross which
reaches a height of 190 feet. The beautiful stained-glass windows
and the fourteen original stations of the cross were designed and
constructed by Mayers of Munich. The church altar and marble
communion rails were built by James Pearse. James was the father
of Patrick and Willie Pearse, who were both executed for their role
in the 1916 Easter Rising.
There is a dedicated museum exhibition space where visitors can
view items from the church’s collections and learn more about the
church and its community.
44 Barrack Street,
Strabane, Co Tyrone,
BT82 8HD
+44 (0)28 7188 2215
www.camusheritage.com
info@camusheritage.com

St. Columb’s
Cathedral
Situated on the highest point within the walls, St Columb’s
Cathedral was built in 1633, after the Reformation and as the city’s
oldest building is impressive in both size and beauty. It contains an
array of artefacts including the Promise Chalice dating from 1613,
items from the Siege and is home to the original locks and keys
of the City Gates. There are displays on some of its most famous
personalities such as hymn writer Cecil Frances Alexander and
philosopher George Berkeley.
Open daily.
17 London Street,
Londonderry,
BT48 6RQ
02871 267313
www.stcolumbscathedral.org
robert@stcolumbs.net
www.derrystrabane.com

St. Columb’s Hall
St. Columb’s Hall has been an intrinsic part of the city’s cultural,
architectural and historic fabric since 1886. Perched on the East
Wall of the city’s historic walls, it was originally built by the St
Columb’s Hall Total Abstinence Society as part of the Temperance
Movement. St. Columb’s has welcomed some of the world’s most
iconic performers and notaries including Eleanor Marx-Aveling,
daughter of Karl Marx who spoke at the Hall in 1889 to recruit the
local workers to join their local union, a key moment in the rise of
Irish trade unionism; Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst who campaigned
for women’s right to vote in a keynote speech at St Columb’s
Hall in 1910; Roy Orbison, Chubby Checker and Val Doonican all
performed at the Hall in the 1960’s as well as comedians including
Jimmy Carr, Frank Carson and many more.
In more recent times, St. Columb’s Hall was used as a film location
for iconic scenes in the final season of international TV sensation
“Derry Girl’s”.
Orchard Street,
Derry,
BT48 6EG
+44 28 7126 2880
www.saintcolumbshall.com
hello@saintcolumbshall.com

St Columba’s Church,
Long Tower
The church stands on a sacred site once thick with oaks associated
with the foundation of St Columba’s monastery in 546. The Long
Tower Church is a rich treasury of artwork, ornate features and
curiosities including a venerated ‘kneeling stone’ associated with
the saint, jewel-hued stained glass and oil paintings, marble and
gilt adornments plus a shimmering baptistry.
An audio-visual tour of the church in English, Irish and Italian
is available from the nearby Áras Cholmcille: St Columba
Heritage Centre.
59-61 Long Tower Street,
Derry ~ Londonderry,
BT48
+44 28 7126 2301
www.longtowerchurch.org
longtower@derrydiocese.org
www.derrystrabane.com

St. Eugene’s Cathedral
A must-see when visiting the city, the Cathedral is the Mother
Church of the Derry Diocese and parish church of the parish of
Templemore where thousands of Catholics come to worship
God. Known as ‘teach an phobail’ (peoples’ house) and built
with contributions from the local population, it opened in the
last quarter of the 19th century. It is poised to remain a symbol
of people’s faith into this millennium. Visitors can explore the
extensive grounds and an audio tour is also available.
The tour lasts 35 minutes.
Derry,
BT48 9AP
+44 28 7126 2894
www.steugenescathedral.com/
cathedral@derrydiocese.org

The Guildhall
Known as ‘The Heart of the City’ the Guildhall is an iconic
sandstone building by the river in the city centre and close to the
bus station. Completed in 1890, the building was initially designed
to house the city council and was named in honour of the original
guilds who came from London to establish the walled city in the
17th century. With its beautiful wood paneled décor, stained
glass windows telling the story of the city, period statues, grand
staircase, great hall, stunning organ and permanent exhibition
on the Plantation of Ulster – all freely accessible - it’s a perfect
location for new arrivals to get their bearings before exploring
the rest of the city. It continues as the seat of local government
and also hosts regular concerts and events in the main hall with
festivals and carnivals often held outside in Guildhall Square.
Derry~Londonderry,
BT48 7BB
+44 28 7136510
www.derrystrabane.com/
services/museums-and-visitorservice/guildhall
guildhall@derrystrabane.com
www.derrystrabane.com

First Derry Blue Coat
School Heritage Centre
This interpretive centre is filled with colourful displays and
exhibits about the history and heritage of the city’s Presbyterian
community and the challenges they faced since their arrival in
the 17th century. It also highlights the vital role they have played
in helping to shape the city we know today. The First Derry Blue
Coat School was established in 1773 and is directly adjacent to
the First Derry Presbyterian Church, a listed historic building with
origins going back to 1690, following the events of the Siege of
Derry. The church now operates not only as a place of worship
but as a shared space accessible to all with the aim of improving
community relations.
Upper Magazine Street,
Derry ~ Londonderry,
BT48 6PH
www.firstderrybluecoatschool.com
firstderrybluecoatschool@outlook.com

Museum of Free Derry
The Museum of Free Derry opened in 2007 to tell the story
of what happened in the city during the period 1968 – 1972,
popularly known as ‘Free Derry’, including the civil rights era, the
Battle of the Bogside, Internment, Bloody Sunday and Operation
Motorman. It has since developed into one of the most-visited
independent museums in the north of Ireland. The story is told
from the personal perspective of those who were most involved
in and affected by these events – the Free Derry community - and
the Museum is situated in the heart of where these events took
place, in a purpose-built building in Glenfada Park in the Bogside.
55 Glenfada Park,
Derry,
BT48 9DR
+44 28 7136 0880
www.museumoffreederry.org
info@museumoffreederry.org
www.derrystrabane.com

Siege Museum
The Great Siege of Londonderry was a pivotal moment in history,
the outcome of which shaped the political and social structure
we know in Europe today. Based over three floors, the museum
features an array of artefacts from the Siege to modern day
Apprentice Boys memorabilia. It also displays a wide range of
relics dating from the First World War and an exhibition featuring
the six Prime Ministers of Northern Ireland.
A unique guided tour of the museum and city walls may be
booked in advance for groups consisting of a minimum of
10 participants.
13 Society Street,
Londonderry,
BT48 6PJ
+44 28 7126 1219
www.thesiegemuseum.org
info@thesiegemuseum.org

Sion Stables Museum
Housed within beautiful 19th century stable stalls, this venue tells
the story of the historic, picturesque linen village of Sion Mills and
the Herdman family who founded it. Surrounded by a stunning
rural landscape, visitors can explore the rich history of the linen
industry from the industrial revolution to the modern day and
how this developed alongside a bustling and vibrant community.
Admission to the museum is free. The restaurant on site, Sika by
Niall at Sion Stables, offers elegant dining with VIP service in an
old-world setting.
120a Melmount Rd,
Sion Mills,
BT82 9ET
+44 28 816 59772
https://sionstables.com/
info@sionstables.com
www.derrystrabane.com

The Tower Museum
A multi-story atmospheric journey through the ages awaits
visitors to the Tower Museum. Learn about the Story of Derry,
from its origins to the present day, with stunning artefacts laden
with the history of the region and interwoven with the DNA of its
residents over 10,000 years of settlement. Discover the incredible
underwater archaeology of the Atlantic Ocean through the La
Trinidad Valencera Armada Shipwreck exhibition. With regular
temporary exhibitions rotating throughout the year, it is currently
home to the Derry Girls Experience, featuring original set pieces
from the global comedy phenomenon.
Union Hall Place,
Derry ~ Londonderry,
BT48 6LU
+44 28 71362411
https://towermuseumcollections.com/
tower@derrystrabane.com

The Alley Arts and Conference Centre
The Alley is home to the Strabane focused exhibitions and
engagement programme for Derry City and Strabane District
Councils Museum Service. Temporary exhibitions are installed
every six months, featuring objects and archives from the Councils
collection. Each exhibition is unique, shining a light on the stories
and heritage of Strabane and its hinterland. The exhibitions are
complemented by the visual arts programme in the adjacent main
gallery space.
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm
Railway Street,
Strabane, Co Tyrone,
BT82 8EF
+44 28 7138 4444
www.alley-theatre.com
www.derrystrabane.com

Heritage Venues Audio Guides
A number of the heritage venues
now offer a bespoke audio-visual
guided tour, available in a number
of different languages.
These have been created to bring
the rich history and heritage of
each venue to life in an accessible
audio tour format available online
and in the venue itself.
Below is a list of participating venues and the languages available:
• St Augustine’s Church - (English, French and Spanish)
• St Columb’s Cathedral - (English, French and Spanish)
• St Eugene’s Cathedral - (English, German, French, Mandarin,
Italian, Irish and Spanish)
• First Derry Presbyterian Church - (English, French
and Spanish)
• Long Tower Church (English, German, French, Mandarin,
Italian, Irish and Spanish)
• Museum of Free Derry - Eyewitness testimony of John Kelly
(English, French and Spanish)
• The Siege Museum (English, French & Spanish)
Visit Derry Pass
The Visit Derry Pass is valid for one or two days and provides access
to ten attractions, saving money on admission fees, whilst seeing the
best the city has to offer. You will also receive a Visit Derry
map, local tips and offers to make sure you get the most
from your trip. Insightful and inspiring the Visit Derry Pass
is a winner for all ages, is convenient and easy to use and
is available as an instant download on your smartphone.
Learn about the city’s fascinating history on a walking
tour and visit some of its most iconic visitor attractions.
www.derrystrabane.com

www.derrystrabane.com