Hidden Heritage Venues

Explore our Hidden Heritage Venues Aras Cholmcille - St Columba Heritage Centre

Sion Stables Museum

The Guildhall

Carlisle Road Methodist Church Alley Theatre

First Derry Blue Coat School Heritage Centre

St. Columb’s Cathedral

St. Eugene’s Cathedral St. Columb’s Hall

Museum of Free Derry

St. Augustine’s Church

Church of the Immaculate Conception

www.derrystrabane.com

The Tower Museum

The Siege Museum

St. Columb’s Church, Long Tower

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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.

www.derrystrabane.com

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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.

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 www.derrystrabane.com

+44 28 7136 8491 www.stcolumbaheritage.com hello@stcolumbaheritage.com

Palace Street Londonderry BT48 6PS

www.staugustines.co.uk weechurch@btinternet.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.

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 www.derrystrabane.com

+447875861170

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 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.

St. Columb’s Cathedral

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”.

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.

Orchard Street, Derry, BT48 6EG

Open daily.

17 London Street, Londonderry, BT48 6RQ

02871 267313 www.stcolumbscathedral.org robert@stcolumbs.net

www.derrystrabane.com

+44 28 7126 2880 www.saintcolumbshall.com hello@saintcolumbshall.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

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.

+44 28 7126 2301 www.longtowerchurch.org longtower@derrydiocese.org

www.derrystrabane.com

www.steugenescathedral.com/ cathedral@derrydiocese.org

St Columba’s Church, Long Tower

59-61 Long Tower Street, Derry ~ Londonderry, BT48

+44 28 7126 2894

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.

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

Upper Magazine Street, Derry ~ Londonderry, BT48 6PH

www.firstderrybluecoatschool.com firstderrybluecoatschool@outlook.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

Museum of Free Derry

+44 28 7136 0880 www.museumoffreederry.org info@museumoffreederry.org

www.derrystrabane.com

www.thesiegemuseum.org info@thesiegemuseum.org

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 7126 1219

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

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

+44 28 71362411 https://towermuseumcollections.com/ tower@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.

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

www.derrystrabane.com

+44 28 7138 4444 www.alley-theatre.com

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