A group of 30 people comprising parents, grandparents and children left Clonduff Park at 8.30 am and arrived in Derry City around 10.45. Our Tour Guide, from Martin McCrossan Award Winning Tours met us at 11.30am and kept us under her spell for the next two hours.
First stop was the new ‘Peace Flame’ ignited by Martin Luther King III last month, then Guildhall Square en route to the Peace Bridge for the walk across the expanse of the River Foyle
Following the return trip across the bridge, we proceeded to the Old City inside the Wall where Sorcha (our guide) imparted a brilliant history of the city – it’s Walls, the city’s name change, The Apprentice Boys, The Guildhall, the recent ‘Troubles’, the long hard struggle for peace and reconciliation and the awarding of ‘The City of Culture’ Status.
There was a very welcome complimentary cuppa at the end of the two hours. The ‘tourists’ were then free to do their own thing for the next two hours – some chose to visit the murals in the bogside; some to the splendour of the newly refurbished Guildhall and others chose to spend the time in the magnificent shopping centres and shops which this wonderfully transformed city now boasts.
The journey home provided an opportunity for a bit of shuteye after all that walking. It has become customary, on such trips from our Club, to finish the day with a meal in The Downshire Arms. A great time was had by all!
