The Old Walled City of Londonderry

 Girls are on The Peace Bridge, which crosses the River Foyle. It was built to join the unionist 'Waterside' with the nationalist 'Cityside' and improve access between these areas. It also serves as a focal point for city activities and events.

Londonderry, is also commonly referred to as Derry.  It is the fourth largest city in all of Ireland and  is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Ireland. This is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city in all of Europe.

 Here is a map that shows the walled area and it's position in the city.  In 2013, Londonderry celebrated the 400th birthday of the walls.

 There are four main gates into the city: Shipquay Gate,  Ferryquay Gate,

Butcher’s Gate and of course, Bishop's Gate.

Austins is said to be the oldest department store in the world, dating back to 1830. That claim is rivaled by Bainbridges (now John Lewis in England) which titles itself to be the first department store in the world as noted in 1849, when it began recording weekly turnover separately by department.

 

St. Columb's Cathedral has a rich history.  It was dedicated to Saint Columba, the Irish Monk who established a Christian settlement in the area before being exiled from Ireland. He also introduced Christianity to Scotland and northern England.  St Columb's is the first cathedral to be built by the Anglican church after the Reformation in the British Isles and is also the first non-Roman Catholic cathedral to be built in Europe.^[The bottom paragraph of the posted sign above reads: "St. Columb's Cathedral may have inspired John Newton to write one of the most popular hymns in the English language- 'Amazing Grace.' Having narrowly avoided shipwreck during an Atlantic storm in 1748, Newton repented his former life as a slave trader. After his ship put into the Foyle for repair, he was invited by the Mayor to join a shooting party during which a bullet accidentally went through his hat. This second near-death experience confirmed to Newton that God was on his side. He prayed twice daily in the Cathedral until the "Greyhound" was ready to set sail again."

More cool history from St. Columb's:  Cecil Frances Alexander was the Bishop's wife and wrote some on the most popular hymns in the English language. "In 1848 she published 'Hymns for Little Children' which included the Christmas carol 'Once in Royal David's City', the Easter verses 'There is a Green Hill Far Away' and the children's favorite 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'.

After reviewing her Easter hymn, it's interesting to note that the cathedral lies within the city wall and outside the city wall and within view of the cathedral is a green hill where Cecil Frances Alexander is buried.

 

This Alexander exhibit is inside the cathedral.

During World War II, Derry served as a major naval base and there were also air bases around the city. Large numbers of American servicemen were stationed in the city and the cathedral served them and today remembers them.