Illuminate Festival is here from Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th February
& from Thursday 24th – Sunday 27th February 2022. 
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Traffic restrictions will be in place in some areas of Derry's City Centre over the coming days as the Illuminate Festival lights up the city with multi-media installations, music and performance across some of the city's most iconic sites.

It's a festival first for the City, and visitors will be invited to follow an animated trail bringing the story of Derry to life, from Colmcille's first monastic settlement to present day, running from Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th February & from Thursday 24th – Sunday 27th February 2022. 


In order to successfully deliver this event road closures and traffic diversions will be in place throughout the festival. Alternative routes will be signposted in accordance with the Traffic Management Plan and in agreement with the Department of Infrastructure to notify motorists of the traffic diversion.
In the interest of safety, the following roads will be closed to traffic or have traffic restrictions in place for the event between the hours of 4pm and midnight:

1. Fahan Street, Butcher Street,
2. Waterloo Street impacting Harvey Street & High Street,
3. Union Hall Place/ Magazine Street, Castle Gate
4. Bishop Gate/Bishop Street Within, Palace Street, Society Street, (Society Street Car Park will be closed all day).
5. London Street leading to Pump Street, 
6. Ferryquay Street, Artillery Street, Market Street, New Market Street,
7. Orchard Street Lane Closure
8. During these hours' access and egress from Bishop Street Carpark will be via Bishop Gate only

 
Road closures and diversions will be kept to the minimum length necessary to ensure safety but motorists are advised that there may be delays.

Drivers are reminded that normal on street parking restrictions will be in place and that they should avoid parking anywhere they may be blocking entrances to residences or businesses or where they may be obstructing emergency access. 

More information on the trail and the programme of music events taking place www.IlluminateDerry.com  
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​Yesterday's flight from Glasgow International airport to City of Derry Airport was diverted to Belfast after two attempts to land.

​The 3.05pm Ryanair flight was diverted away from City of Derry Airport after two attempts to land but couldn't land due to heavy winds that we've had in the last few days.

​So then passengers were taken by coach to Derry after the flight landed safety in Belfast.

Primary schools across the northwest are being invited to take part in an exciting free education outreach programme that will allow them to explore their maritime heritage through an innovative and interactive programme entitled: “DuPont Float Your Boat.” 

The education programme is being run by the Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with DuPont ahead of the forthcoming Foyle Maritime Festival that is taking place from 09-17 July when the Clipper Round the World Race yachts will make a welcome return to the city for a fun filled festival of fun and celebration.

The education programme will be delivered by Footsteps Interpretation and is being held alongside a competition encouraging students to design their own model boat and be in with a chance of their design being exhibited during the Maritime Festival in July.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Council, Cllr Elisha McCallion says the education programme is a fantastic way of getting primary school children from across the city and district involved in the festival and encouraging them to explore and appreciate their local environment and their close proximity to maritime heritage.
“What I really like about this education programme is that it is all about fun and getting the children involved in a way that encourages them to take a real interest in the topics covered. It is very interactive and creative and encourages them to use their imagination and come up with creative ideas and concepts. I am delighted that we have DuPont on board as our main sponsor for the festival and look forward to working with them on the festival,” she said.

Paul Kirkpatrick, Organisation Manager, DuPont, said:  “We’re so pleased to be working with the Derry City and Strabane District Council to deliver a fun, engaging and free education programme to primary school children from across Derry~Londonderry.  As a company, we regularly reach out to schools, offering prizes for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) related tasks as well as creating our own competitions, so we are constantly engaging with young minds and hopefully inspiring them to take more of an interest in engineering.

The students are also being encouraged to participate in a competition to build their own model boat using recyclable materials. The top three designs will receive an individual prize and will be on display alongside six highly commended designs during the Foyle Maritime Festival in July.

For more information on the competition Foyle Martime Festival are available online: www.foylemaritimefestival.com