Londonderry

Londonderry, or DERRY, a city, seaport, and parliamentary borough in the north of Ireland, is situated on an eminence overlooking the river Foyle, 3 miles from its mouth and 18 miles from the entrance to Lough Foyle, by rail 163 miles NNW. of Dublin and 95 NW. of Belfast. Pop. (1851) 19,888; (1871) 24,242; (1881) 29,162; (1891) 33,200. Londonderry grew up round a monastery founded here in 546 by St Columba. It was frequently held by the Danes from the 9th to the 11th century. The town formed part of the escheated territory granted to the London companies, and under their management rose to some importance, and was strongly fortified. In the Irish war of the Revolution thirteen Londonderry apprentices closed its gates against James II.; and the townsfolk, shouting 'No surrender,' manned the walls. The 105 days' siege that then ensued, from April to August 1689, is one of the most celebrated events in Irish history, and its memories are among the most stirring causes of party animosity. The walls still surround a part of the town one mile in circumference, but now the greater part of the city lies outside them. The four main streets diverge from a square in the centre of the city called the Diamond. The left bank of the river is connected by an iron bridge, 1200 feet in length, with an extensive suburb called Waterside. The Protestant cathedral dates from 1633; it was restored in 1886. A handsome Roman Catholic cathedral, the courthouse, guildhall (erected in 1890 at a cost of £20,000), harbour-offices, post-office, custom-house, and banks are the other chief buildings of note. The historical events of the siege are commemorated by a triumphal arch—one of the gates of the city—erected in 1789 and a column in honour of the Rev. George Walker, who was governor of the city and the soul of the defence. The Presbyterian theological Magee College was founded in 1865. The industrial establishments include linen (shirt-making) factories, distilleries, iron-foundries, flour-mills, and shipbuilding-yards. There are valuable salmon-fisheries in Lough Foyle. The harbour is deep, extensive, and safe. The great Atlantic liners (Allan, Anchor, and State) stop at the entrance to Lough Foyle both in going to and coming from America. The imports (which include grain, flour, timber, and spirits) reach an annual average value of £76,480; the exports, chiefly agricultural produce, vary in value from £6000 to £350 annually. This is exclusive of an extensive coasting trade. Londonderry returns one member to the House of Commons. See John Hempton's Siege and History of Londonderry (1861).