Nochtann siúl thart faoi bhallaí Dhoire cathair atá lán de stair, oidhreacht, suim agus saol cultúrtha bríomhar. Is é seo an t-aon chathair mhúrtha fágtha in Éirinn agus ceann de na samplaí is fearr de chathracha múrtha san Eoraip. Tógadh na ballaí i rith na tréimhse 1613-1618 ag An tOnórach, An Cumann Éireannach mar chosaint do lonnaitheoirí ó Sasana agus Albain sa 19ú haois.

Déanann na ballaí, a bhfuil imlíne de thart ar 1.5 ciliméadar aige, bealach siúil thart faoin chathair inmheánach agus cuireann siad promanáid uathúil ar fáil chun leagan amach an bunbhaile a fheiceáil, a bhfuil stíl sráide an Renaissance go fóill aige go dtí an lá inniu.

Is iad na ceithre bhungheataí chuig an chathair mhúrtha ná Geata an Easpaig, Geata Ché an Chalaidh, Geata an Bhúistéara agus Geata Ché na Long. Tógadh trí gheataí sa bhreis -– Geata na hArmlainne, Geata an Chaisleáin agus an Geata Nua.

Athraíonn leithead na mballaí ó 12 go 35 troithe agus tá siad ar na ballaí is iomláine in Éirinn agus ar cheann de na samplaí is fearr san Eoraip de chathracha múrtha. Maíonn an chathair go bhfuil an bailiúchán canóna is mó acu agus go bhfuil bunús na gcanónacha ar eolas acu. Scaoil cuid mhaith acu le fearg i rith an dá léigir sa 17ú haois.

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A walk around the walls in Derry reveals a splendid city crammed full of history, heritage, interest and a vibrant cultural scene. This is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. The Walls were built during the period 1613-1618 by The Honourable, The Irish Society as defences for early seventeenth century settlers from England and Scotland.

The Walls, which are approximately 1.5km in circumference, form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town which still preserves its Renaissance Style street plan to this day.

The four original gates to the Walled City are Bishop’s Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Butcher Gate and Shipquay Gate. Three further gates were added - Magazine Gate, Castle Gate and New Gate.

The Walls vary in width between 12 and 35 feet and are the most complete in Ireland and one of the finest examples in Europe of Walled Cities. The city claims Europe’s largest collection of cannon whose origins are known precisely. Many of them thundered in anger over the two seventeenth century sieges.

For more information visit the Visit Derry website or the Discover Northern Ireland website.