Derry Hotels

Since the peace process, Derry has emerged as an exciting cosmopolitan city with a young population with plenty of modern bars, clubs, restaurants and thriving music scene. There are still many traditional pubs where you can prop up the bar with the friendly and welcoming locals however. BUT - you will quickly find out that the Derry accent is challenging to say the least - and very loud and fast!

Derry is home to a number of museums including the Workhouse Museum illustrating the terrible conditions during the Irish Famine – and The People’s Gallery – telling the story of the Bogside Artists who painted murals depicting Derry’s years of turbulent history and unrest.

Derry’s Top 10

Derry Events

Taking pride of place on the Derry events calendar is The Banks of the Foyle Hallowe’en Carnival . Ireland’s largest street carnival with over 40,000 people take to the streets.

In March you can’t miss the St Patrick’s Day celebrations take over Derry. Get some beauty sleep in because it could be along night.

March sees Derry’s Drama Festival come to town so unleash your inner thesp and come along.

The cream of International jazz turns up during May for the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival.

The Foyle Regatta is a colourful highlight of fun and messing about on the river is compulsory at this event with races, entertainment and stalls.

The Big Tickle Comedy Festival will make you smile during September in Derry.

The City of Song Festival is held in Late September and is jam packed with musicians, known in Derry as the SongFest.

Northern Ireland International Air Show is a fun event organised by City of Derry Airport, featuring some spectacular displays of derring-do in the skies.

The November Foyle Film Festival is the biggest of its kind in Northern Ireland with a host of international names descending on Derry.

Christmas illuminations Dates vary, but the Christmas Season officially starts when the lights get switched on in Derry.

When to Go

· Derry, like the rest of Ireland has a temperate climate overall and big variations in temperature are rare. The sunniest months are likely to be between May and July where you can expect up to 7 hours of sunshine a day and December is the dullest month with an average one hour of sunshine.

· Average daily temperatures during the summer are around 18°C and during January about 5°C. Temperatures however can and do get far higher or lower during hot or cold spells.

· Rainfall is greatest in December and January with rain expected on nearly half the days of the year, so it pays to pack plenty of waterproof clothing no matter what time of year you come.

Getting There

· The City of Derry Airport operates flights to Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and London Stansted, as well as many others. Ulsterbus runs a Translink bus service between the airport and the city centre which costs around £2.70, with a taxi setting you back around £12.

· By train the journey between Belfast and Derry takes just over 2 hours – some of the journey offering scenic views over the shores of Lough Foyle.

· By road Derry is on the A6 – sign-posted Londonderry via Dungiven. Alternatively take the scenic drive along the Antrim Coast where you will pass the Giant’s Causeway. Bus Eireann runs a frequent service between Derry, Silgo, Galway, Limerick and Cork as well as Dublin and Belfast.

Attractions & Activities

Restaurants & Nightlife

Climate