County Derry, officially know as Londonderry, is perched on the northwest coast of Northern Ireland. Covering an area of some 798 square miles, the Derry landscape is varied and breathtaking. To the south are the forested glens of the Sperrin Mountains while to the north and east is the spectacular coastline of Benone Strand, Ireland's longest beach, 7 miles of wide-open sand and surf.

Derived from the Irish 'Doire' meaning oak grove, Derry has long been a sacred place for early Celtic and Christian settlements. In the 6th century, the Irish Saint Columba founded a monastery beside the River Foyle in 546 AD, where the oak tress grew. The City walls of Derry are amongst the best preserved fortifications in Europe. The layout of the city reflects the original town plan set out several hundred years ago. In 1609, an agreement was made with the Corporation of London for the rebuilding of Derry, hence the introduction of the name Londonderry.

Derry has some fine architecture across the County including the Georgian town of Limavady and the folly overlooking Downhill Strand, Mussenden Temple, built by the eccentric Earl Bishop of Derry. Other cultural attractions include Bellaghy Bawn, a 17th century enclosure, containing a permanent exhibition on the locally born, Nobel laureate poet, Seamus Heaney. The Earhart Centre at Ballyarnet commemorates where Amelia Earhart (the first woman to fly the Atlantic solo) brought her plane down in 1932. The first recording of 'Londonderry Air' was by Jane Ross in 1851, which was later affectionately known as 'Danny Boy'.

Visitors to Derry can also enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities from first-class golf to hill walking and excellent river angling. Roe Valley Country Park near Limavady is a superb place for salmon and trout fishing, canoeing, rock climbing and walking through miles of magnificent, preserved woodlands.

Towns in County Derry

The largest town the County is the City of Derry. Other principal towns are Coleraine, Limavady, Portswart, Dungiven, Maghera and Magherafelt. The estimated population of County Derry is just over 213,000.

Business Information

Four Councils administer County Derry: Derry City Council, Limavady Borough Council, Coleraine Borough Council and Magherafelt District Council. Together and individually they promote tourism and economic development across the County. Derry is the regional centre for the northwest of Ireland. Industry in the northern part of the County is chiefly located in and around the City of Derry. The manufacturing of textiles, IT and chemicals are the principal sectors. External contracts in the US, Continental Europe and in the UK have been won by local joinery companies to build themed Irish pubs, interior fit-outs for hotels and restaurants overseas. The food sector in rural Derry is characterised by family owned businesses, mostly in the bakery sector. South Derry is known for specialist agricultural engineering. On the land, there is sheep and cow rearing in the Sperrin Uplands to crop growing of potatoes and cereals on the fertile lowlands.

Derry City Council	Tel: (44) 01504 365151
Limavady Borough Council	Tel: (44) 015047 22226
Coleraine Borough Council	Tel: (44) 01265 52181
Magherafelt District Council	Tel: (44) 01648 32151
Coleraine Enterprise Agency	Tel: (44) 10265 56318
Roe Valley Enterprises Ltd	Tel: (44) 015047 65707
LEDU Regional Office	Tel: (44) 01504 267257

County Derry has its own City Airport with direct flights to Glasgow, Manchester and London. Northern Ireland Railways run a train service along the coast from Coleraine to the city of Derry. Ulsterbus and North West Busways operate across the County. Larne and Belfast have regular ferry services to Scotland and the UK.

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