- The Town I Loved So Well: A poignant homage to Derry City, reflecting on Phil Coulter’s childhood memories of growing up by the gas yard wall, contrasted with the city’s transformation during the Troubles with “armoured cars and bombed-out bars.” The song ends with hope for peace and a “bright brand-new day,” capturing Derry’s resilience. Written by Phil Coulter, written in the 1970s.
- Back Home in Derry: A haunting republican ballad, originally a poem titled “The Voyage,” expressing longing for Derry among Irish prisoners transported to Australia. It reflects the county’s history of resistance and exile, with imagery of Derry’s landscapes like Culmore and the Foyle River. Written by Bobby Sands, written as a poem in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh; popularized as a song by Christy Moore.
- The Road to Derry: A reflective song capturing Seamus Heaney’s emotions while driving from Belfast to Derry on the day of the funerals for those killed on Bloody Sunday (1972). It conveys grief, anger, and the weight of the Troubles in Derry’s history. Written by Seamus Heaney, written for Luke Kelly of The Dubliners.
- Danny Boy (set to the tune of Derry Air): A classic ballad of love and loss, set to the iconic Derry Air, a folk tune collected in Limavady, County Derry. It tells of an emigrant’s longing for home, with the tune deeply tied to Derry’s cultural heritage. Written by Lyrics by Frederick Weatherly (1910); tune traditional, collected by Jane Ross in Limavady, published in 1855.
- Lovely Derry on the Banks of the Foyle: A nostalgic song celebrating Derry City’s beauty along the River Foyle, highlighting its historical walls, vibrant community, and local pride. It captures the charm of the city as a cultural hub. Traditional, often performed by local artists.
- Ballinderry: A traditional love song set in the Ballinderry area of County Derry, focusing on a young man’s affection for a local maiden. It celebrates the county’s rural landscapes and romantic folklore. Traditional, no specific writer named.
- The Banks of Claudy: A traditional ballad about a lover’s lament set along the Claudy River in County Derry. It reflects the county’s rural beauty and themes of love and separation. Traditional.
- Sliabh Gallen’s Brae: A folk song set in the Slieve Gallion area of County Derry, evoking the rugged beauty of the Sperrin Mountains and the lives of local farmers. It captures the county’s pastoral heritage and sense of place. Traditional, no specific writer named.
- The Flower of Gortade: A traditional song about a young woman from Gortade, a rural area in County Derry, blending themes of love and admiration with references to the county’s countryside. Traditional.
- Shutting the Gates of Derry: A historical ballad recounting the Siege of Derry (1689), when the city’s gates were famously closed against Jacobite forces. It celebrates Derry’s resilience and Protestant identity during a pivotal moment in its history.
Songs
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Anthem
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Derry:
Ireland’s county Derry offers a rich historical tapestry, with the city’s 17th-century walls providing a walkable journey through its past. The Guildhall and Tower Museum explore Derry’s maritime and political history, while the Peace Bridge offers scenic views over the River Foyle. Derry is Ireland’s 15th largest county by size (2,067 square km) and sixth largest by population (252,231). Population previously peaked at 222,174 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 139,693 in 1926. In terms of hospitality, Derry is Ireland’s 16th most visited tourist county with around 135,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – New – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards– Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
