Plans are taking shape for the city’s “Derry Walls Day” as Derry City and Strabane District Council and Friends of the Derry Walls, announce an engaging programme of historical discovery to take place on Sunday 30th August 2015 in Guildhall Square and the Museums on and around the City Walls.
Derry Walls Day is funded by the Council, with support from the Heritage Council of Ireland as part of the National Heritage Week, when most of Ireland’s 21 Walled Towns will be putting on events to celebrate the heritage value of their surviving fortifications.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Elisha McCallion, outlining the programme, explained:
“The City Walls are the 4th most popular visitor attraction in Northern Ireland and throughout Derry Walls Day we aim to share new insights into the history of the construction of the walls through a programme of historical animation and cultural experience on the 30th August. It’s a fantastic opportunity to come into the city and experience a walled city family day out and an afternoon of interactive history that is free and engaging.”
Each year during the quadricentiennial of the building of the Derry Walls 2013-2018, the Council and Friends choose an annual theme for Derry Walls Day which unpacks the events which were happening in the city 400 years ago. The historical focus for 2015 is the discovery of the Great Northern Plot of 1615 which accelerated the building of the City Walls.
August 30th is an open invitation to explore the City Walls and discover the history of their construction during 1615. During Derry Walls Day 2015, visitors will be able to converse with the architects of the Plantation of Ulster, take sides during the trial of Rory O’Cahan, the alleged chief conspirator and take part in a child friendly Plotter’s Treasure Hunt by following clues located in the museums around and on the Walls. These insights all provide a narrative of the Irish, English and Scots settlers who were trying to find space in the community at that time. Northern Ireland Environment Agency will also demonstrate modern masonry skills along with interactive activity in many of the city museums. It gives an opportunity to present events that explore our past and provide a voice to some of the untold stories of that period.
Anne McCartney, Secretary of the Friends of Derry Walls said: “The 400th anniversary of the building of the City Walls (1613-1618) has been marked annually through insights and historical perspectives. Our ambition to share untold stories of this historical era around the building of the City walls and help shape the understanding of the richness of our cultural identity that was influenced by these events and shaped the landscape of the city we live in today.”
So make a date with history on the 30th August and be part of Derry Walls Day 2015. Activity starts in Guildhall Square at 12.30pm and the treasure hunt is open until 5.30pm. For further information visit www.thederrywalls.com/walls400 or follow us Facebook: Walls400 –friendsofthederrywalls
Derry Walls Day is funded by the Council, with support from the Heritage Council of Ireland as part of the National Heritage Week, when most of Ireland’s 21 Walled Towns will be putting on events to celebrate the heritage value of their surviving fortifications.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Elisha McCallion, outlining the programme, explained:
“The City Walls are the 4th most popular visitor attraction in Northern Ireland and throughout Derry Walls Day we aim to share new insights into the history of the construction of the walls through a programme of historical animation and cultural experience on the 30th August. It’s a fantastic opportunity to come into the city and experience a walled city family day out and an afternoon of interactive history that is free and engaging.”
Each year during the quadricentiennial of the building of the Derry Walls 2013-2018, the Council and Friends choose an annual theme for Derry Walls Day which unpacks the events which were happening in the city 400 years ago. The historical focus for 2015 is the discovery of the Great Northern Plot of 1615 which accelerated the building of the City Walls.
August 30th is an open invitation to explore the City Walls and discover the history of their construction during 1615. During Derry Walls Day 2015, visitors will be able to converse with the architects of the Plantation of Ulster, take sides during the trial of Rory O’Cahan, the alleged chief conspirator and take part in a child friendly Plotter’s Treasure Hunt by following clues located in the museums around and on the Walls. These insights all provide a narrative of the Irish, English and Scots settlers who were trying to find space in the community at that time. Northern Ireland Environment Agency will also demonstrate modern masonry skills along with interactive activity in many of the city museums. It gives an opportunity to present events that explore our past and provide a voice to some of the untold stories of that period.
Anne McCartney, Secretary of the Friends of Derry Walls said: “The 400th anniversary of the building of the City Walls (1613-1618) has been marked annually through insights and historical perspectives. Our ambition to share untold stories of this historical era around the building of the City walls and help shape the understanding of the richness of our cultural identity that was influenced by these events and shaped the landscape of the city we live in today.”
So make a date with history on the 30th August and be part of Derry Walls Day 2015. Activity starts in Guildhall Square at 12.30pm and the treasure hunt is open until 5.30pm. For further information visit www.thederrywalls.com/walls400 or follow us Facebook: Walls400 –friendsofthederrywalls
