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 trees 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. Coleraine, Limavady, Portswart, Dungiven, Maghera and Magherafelt are other principal towns. 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 characterized by family-owned businesses, mostly in the bakery sector. South Derry is known for its 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.
| Helpful contact details for business enquiries |
| 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 |
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| Sources of finance applicable to business start up, development and acquisition, and related agencies, are as follows |
Dept. of Enterprise, Trade and Investment www.nics.gov.uk | Tel: (44) 01232 529900 |
| Industrial Development Board www.idbni.co.uk | Tel: (44) 01232 233233 |
| LEDU Head Office www.ledu-ni.gov.uk | Tel: (44) 01232 491031 |
| Bank of Ireland Head Office NI | Tel: (44) 01232 246901 |
| Ulster Bank Business Banking | Tel: (44) 01232 897777 |
| Northern Bank Business Programme | Tel: (44) 01232 245277 |
| Northern Bank Business Programme | Tel: (44) 01232 245277 |
| The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment supports economic development in Northern Ireland. On their website at www.nics.gov.uk is a multitude of helpful information and links where and how to find business development assistance. The subsidiary body of the Industrial Development Board is responsible for inward investment into Northern Ireland and funding assistance for indigenous manufacturing and tradable services businesses with over 50 employees. LEDU, The Small Business Agency, assists local businesses with up to 50 employees. They have regional offices across the North. Local Enterprise Agencies support and work with the LEDU programmes. A list of local agencies is available from the LEDU Head Office. | |
| Travel (see also town guides) |
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.
| Airports | |
| City of Derry Airport | Tel:(44) 01504 810784 |
| Ferry | |
| Stena Line www.stenaline.com | Tel: (44) 01232 747747 |
P&O; European www.poef.com | Tel: (44) 01574 872147 |
Norse Irish Ferries www.norse.irish.ferries.co.uk | Tel: (44) 01232 779090 |
| Train | |
| NI Railways www.translink.co.uk | Tel: (44) 01504 342228 |
| Bus | |
| Ulsterbus www.translink.co.uk | Tel: (44) 01232 333000 |
North West Busways | Tel: (353) 077 82619 |
| Tourism, Leisure, and Accommodation |
| Please see town guides |