The Museum of Free Derry is a fascinating institution with collections and displays on momentous parts of Ireland’s history. The Irish conflict between unionists who wanted to stay in the United Kingdom and nationalists resulted in bloody battles in the second half of the 20th century. Learn about the societal changes to Derry during the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the Irish Troubles a decade later. See the Bloody Sunday Memorial that honours civilians violently killed by British soldiers.
Find out about significant parts of Derry’s history through the eyewitness accounts of its residents. Peruse photos of some of the key parts of the conflict. Inspect some of the relics that remain from the Battle of the Bogside, Bloody Sunday and the Internment ruling.
Listen to tales of the Battle of the Bogside, which took place on the streets beside the museum. This historic area was also the site of two killings and five injuries during Bloody Sunday. Note the two bullet holes that remain ingrained in the building from that day.
Gaze up at the elegant granite obelisk of the Bloody Sunday Memorial. It pays tribute to the 14 unarmed civilians killed by the British Army during a peaceful demonstration on January 30, 1972.
Wander down these historic streets and marvel at the murals of the Bogside Artists. Decipher the meaning behind the symbolic political and war paintings on the walls. Encounter the You Are Now Entering Free Derry Mural, also known as Free Derry Corner. It marked the self-declared autonomous zone of nationalists between 1969 and 1972.
Study the causes of the conflict. In general, Protestant loyalists fought to remain in the United Kingdom, while Ireland’s Catholic worshippers desired their own republic.
Visit the museum for a small fee, with discounts for kids and groups. Its hours during the week are from morning until late afternoon. On weekends, it opens at lunchtime.
The Museum of Free Derry and Bloody Sunday Memorial are west of the city centre. Walk for 5 minutes from popular attractions, such as Guildhall, the Tower Museum and the Diamond, to reach the museum.
