Derry/Londonderry | |
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From top, left to right: Austin's Department Store, Derry's Walls, Free Derry Corner, Peace Bridge across the River Foyle, a view of Derry at night, Diamond War Memorial, 'Hands Across the Divide' sculpture |
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Vita Veritas Victoria "Life, Truth, Victory" (Adapted from a decoration on the Craigavon Bridge) |
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Derry/Londonderry shown within Northern Ireland | |
Population | Derry 85,016 Urban 93,512 Metro 237,000 2008 est. |
Irish grid reference | C434166 |
District | |
County | |
Country | Northern Ireland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | LONDONDERRY |
Postcode district | BT47 BT48 |
Dialling code | 028 |
Police | Northern Ireland |
Fire | Northern Ireland |
Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
UK Parliament | |
NI Assembly | |
Website | www.derrycityandstrabanedistrict.com |
Derry (/ˈdɛri/), officially Londonderry (/ˈlʌndənˌdɛri/), is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-largest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Old Irish name Daire (modern Irish: Doire) meaning "oak grove". In 1613, the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James I and gained the "London" prefix to reflect the funding of its construction by the London guilds. While the city is more usually known colloquially as Derry, Londonderry is also commonly used and remains the legal name.
The old walled city lies on the west bank of the River Foyle, which is spanned by two road bridges and one footbridge. The city now covers both banks (Cityside on the west and Waterside on the east). The population of the city was 83,652 at the 2001 Census, while the Derry Urban Area had a population of 90,736. The district administered by Derry City and Strabane District Council contains both Londonderry Port and City of Derry Airport.
Derry is close to the border with County Donegal, with which it has had a close link for many centuries. The person traditionally seen as the founder of the original Derry is Saint Colmcille, a holy man from Tír Chonaill, the old name for almost all of modern County Donegal, of which the west bank of the Foyle was a part before 1610.