August 25, 2012

The Walled City

"Inside the Walled City"

Looking from the Butcher Gate toward the Diamond. Derry is the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe. The walls constitute the largest monument in State care in Northern Ireland and, as the last walled city to be built in Europe, stands as the most complete and spectacular. The Walls were built during the period 1613-1619 by The Honourable The Irish Society as defenses for early 17th century settlers from England and Scotland. The Walls, which are approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) in circumference and which vary in height and width between 12 and 35 feet (4 to 12 meters), are completely intact and form a walkway around the inner city. They provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town which still preserves its Renaissance style street plan. The four original gates to the Walled City are Bishop’s Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Butcher Gate and Shipquay Gate. Three further gates were added later, Magazine Gate, Castle Gate and New Gate, making seven gates in total. Historic buildings within the walls include the 1633 Gothic cathedral of St. Columb, the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and the courthouse. It is one of the few cities in Europe that never saw its fortifications breached, withstanding several sieges including one in 1689 which lasted 105 days, hence the city's nickname, The Maiden City. Derry (officially Londonderry), County Derry (Londonderry), Ulster, Northern Ireland, (Daire or Doire, Contae Dhoire, Ulaidh, Tuaisceart Éireann), August 25, 2012. f/9, 1/320 second, ISO 200.

First Derry Presbyterian Church

First Derry Presbyterian Church inside the Walled City. I was surprised to see that this was a church. It looked like it should be a court or government building. Derry (officially Londonderry), County Derry (Londonderry), Ulster, Northern Ireland, (Daire or Doire, Contae Dhoire, Ulaidh, Tuaisceart Éireann), August 25, 2012. f/7.1, 1/200 second, ISO 200.

Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall

The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall is one of the historic buildings within the walls. The Apprentice Boys of Derry is a Protestant fraternal society with a worldwide membership of over 80,000, founded in 1814. They are based in the city of Derry. However, there are Clubs and branches across Ireland, Great Britain and further afield including Canada. The Society aims to commemorate the 1689 Siege of Derry when Catholic James II of England and Ireland and VII of Scotland laid siege to the walled city which was at the time a Protestant stronghold. Derry (officially Londonderry), County Derry (Londonderry), Ulster, Northern Ireland, (Daire or Doire, Contae Dhoire, Ulaidh, Tuaisceart Éireann), August 25, 2012. f/8, 1/250 second, ISO 200.

St. Augustine's Church

We toured the Walled City of Derry with Liam and Anne Burr, who we met through one of my colleagues at work. They had never before found this little church even though it is within the walls and in plain sight and he had lived in Derry his whole life. It was a great little find. There is even a pirate headstone in the cemetery for our grandson who believes he is a pirate. Built of whinstone with sandstone dressings, It is a very ancient church and is the site of St. Columba's/Colmcille monastery, founded 546AD. In 1164 the ancient church was surrounded by a cashel and the new cathedral of Temple Mor was built outside the walls at the present site of Long Tower Chapel. From thenceforth, the little abbey on the site of St. Augustine's Church was called Dubh Regles (Black Church). In 1613, the Church, then named the Church of God in the Cittie of Derry, was used by the first settlers from England, Wales and Scotland and the cannonball containing the terms for surrender during the Siege 1688/1689 fell in the church graveyard. The present building dates from 1872 and was consecrated by Bishop William Alexander, husband of the famous hymn writer, Frances Cecil Alexander. Derry (officially Londonderry), County Derry (Londonderry), Ulster, Northern Ireland, (Daire or Doire, Contae Dhoire, Ulaidh, Tuaisceart Éireann), August 25, 2012. f/6.3, 1/160 second, ISO 200.

Stained glass windows above the alter of St. Augustine's Church. Derry (officially Londonderry), County Derry (Londonderry), Ulster, Northern Ireland, (Daire or Doire, Contae Dhoire, Ulaidh, Tuaisceart Éireann), August 25, 2012. f/6.3, 1/160 second, ISO 200.

St. Columb's Cathedral

St. Columb's Cathedral in the walled city of Derry is the mother church of the Church of Ireland Diocese of Derry and Raphoe and the parish church of Templemore. It is dedicated to Saint Columba, the Irish monk who established a Christian settlement in the area before being exiled from Ireland and introducing Christianity to Scotland and northern England. Derry (officially Londonderry), County Derry (Londonderry), Ulster, Northern Ireland, (Daire or Doire, Contae Dhoire, Ulaidh, Tuaisceart Éireann), August 25, 2012. f/9, 1/320 second, ISO 200.

Derry

Derry Guildhall

The Guildhall in Derry is a building in which the elected members of Derry City Council meet. It was built in 1890. The Guildhall houses a large hall where many events of social and political nature have been held. It has been home to the Feis Doire Colmcille – an event which celebrates Irish culture - and the now-discontinued Londonderry Feis. Derry (officially Londonderry), County Derry (Londonderry), Ulster, Northern Ireland, (Daire or Doire, Contae Dhoire, Ulaidh, Tuaisceart Éireann), August 25, 2012. f/10, 1/400 second, ISO 200.

Peace Bridge

The Peace Bridge is a cycle and footbridge across the River Foyle in Derry. It opened on 25 June 2011, connecting Ebrington Square with the rest of the city center. The bridge is intended to improve relations between the largely unionist 'Waterside' with the largely nationalist 'Cityside', by improving access between these areas, as part of wider regeneration plans. The bridge also provides a crossing over the railway line approaching Waterside station. Derry (officially Londonderry), County Derry (Londonderry), Ulster, Northern Ireland, (Daire or Doire, Contae Dhoire, Ulaidh, Tuaisceart Éireann), August 25, 2012. f/11, 1/500 second, ISO 200.

August 25, 2012

Convoy

Finn Valley

The Finn Valley near Convoy. Convoy, County Donegal, Ulster, Republic of Ireland, (Conmhaigh, Contae Dhún na nGall, Ulaidh, Éire), August 25, 2012. f/8, 1/250 second, ISO 200.

Raphoe Castle

Raphoe Castle

Raphoe Castle is a ruined 17th-century castle near Raphoe, County Donegal. The castle was built in 1636 by the Bishop of Raphoe, John Leslie from stone from a ruined round tower. Leslie was laid siege to within the castle during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, until he was relieved by the Lagganeer army. Leslie was laid siege again during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, with the castle surrendering in 1650, and was damaged by supporters of King James II in 1689 during the Williamite War. A century later, in 1798, the castle was attacked again, this time by the United Irishmen, three of whom were killed during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The castle was destroyed in an accidental fire in 1838. Raphoe, County Donegal, Ulster, Republic of Ireland, (Ráth Bhoth, Contae Dhún na nGall, Ulaidh, Éire), August 25, 2012. f/9, 1/320 second, ISO 200.

Swan Park

Lough Swilly

The River Crana as it empties into Lough Swilly at Buncrana. Buncrana, County Donegal, Ulster, Republic of Ireland, (Bun Cranncha, Contae Dhún na nGall, Ulaidh, Éire), August 25, 2012. f/10, 1/400 second, ISO 200.

River Crana

The River Crana in Swan Park. Buncrana, County Donegal, Ulster, Republic of Ireland, (Bun Cranncha, Contae Dhún na nGall, Ulaidh, Éire), August 25, 2012. f/7.1, 1/200 second, ISO 200.

Peat Stained Water

One of the fascinating things to me was the color of the water in Ireland's rivers. They all originate in the highland peat bogs and the water is stained a rich reddish brown by the peat. The water of the River Crana reminds one of a "cuppa" as it pours over a rock, or maybe a "pint" as it foams below. As an aside, Ireland has, for a long time, been one of the biggest per-capita consumers of tea in the world. The national average is four cups per person per day, with many people drinking six cups or more. Buncrana, County Donegal, Ulster, Republic of Ireland, (Bun Cranncha, Contae Dhún na nGall, Ulaidh, Éire), August 25, 2012. f/5.6, 1/500 second, ISO 280.

River Crana

The River Crana. Buncrana, County Donegal, Ulster, Republic of Ireland, (Bun Cranncha, Contae Dhún na nGall, Ulaidh, Éire), August 25, 2012. f/9, 1/320 second, ISO 200.

Buncrana Castle Bawn

The remnants of the Buncrana Castle bawn adjacent to the River Crana. Buncrana, County Donegal, Ulster, Republic of Ireland, (Bun Cranncha, Contae Dhún na nGall, Ulaidh, Éire), August 25, 2012. f/8, 1/250 second, ISO 200.

"Saturday Stroll on the Castle Bridge"

On the northern bank of the River Crana as it enters Lough Swilly sits the three-story O'Doherty's Keep, which is the only surviving part of an original 14th century Norman castle. The first two levels of the keep were built after 1333. The keep was burned by the English in 1608 in reprisal for the rebellion of Cahir O'Doherty who sacked and razed the city of Derry. After Cahir O'Doherty was killed and his land seized, the keep was granted to Sir Arthur Chichester, who then leased it to Englishman Henry Vaughan, were it was repaired and lived in by the Vaughan family until 1718. In 1718, Buncrana Castle was built by George Vaughan, it was one of the first big manor houses built in Inishowen, and stone was taken from the bawn, or defensive wall, surrounding O'Doherty's Keep to build it. It was erected on the original site of Buncrana, which had grown up in the shadow of the keep. Vaughan moved the town to its present location, where he founded the current main street and built the Castle Bridge (a six-arched stone single lane bridge) across the River Crana leading to his Castle. Buncrana, County Donegal, Ulster, Republic of Ireland, (Bun Cranncha, Contae Dhún na nGall, Ulaidh, Éire), August 25, 2012. f/6.3, 1/160 second, ISO 200.