Drumcliff
On the way to Derry, we stop off at Drumcliff. Although he died in France, WB Yeats left instructions that he was to be buried in his native Sligo - he is buried in Drumcliff which is shadowed by Ben Bulben mountain and near the ruins of an old monastic site which includes a High Cross.
Newspaper Headlines: Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness shakes Queen's hand while we are in Ireland!
Newspaper headlines June 27, 2012 - This was a momentous occasion - the Queen's cousin, Lord Mountbatten, was assassinated by the IRA in a bombing of his boat in 1979 (some young teenage boys who were along on the fishing trip were also killed). Martin McGuinness, in 1973, admitted to being a proud member of the IRA. It is thought he must have been aware of the plot. This was an incredible moment in history.
Derry Walking Tour
Our walking tour guide, Martin McCrossan, takes us along the walled city of Derry, the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland. The city walls range from 26 to 30 feet high and have never been breached since being built in 1618. In 1689, there was a siege for 105 days by James II's forces; a large portion of the population died from starvation or disease but the walls were not breached.
Derry was selected as a major Plantation site in 1613; because of this, "London" is often affixed to the name of Derry.
"The Troubles" caused much suffering here; there are numerous memorials throughout and signs that neighborhoods are still segregated.
We visit the First Presbyterian Church and hear about "The Troubles" from a Protestant Perspective.
Derry was selected as a major Plantation site in 1613; because of this, "London" is often affixed to the name of Derry.
"The Troubles" caused much suffering here; there are numerous memorials throughout and signs that neighborhoods are still segregated.
We visit the First Presbyterian Church and hear about "The Troubles" from a Protestant Perspective.
Bloody Sunday
On Sunday, January 30, 1972, over 6,000 civil rights marchers assembled. British troops had been sent to Derry in an attempt to provide a neutral force to combat Protestant mobs and the paramilitary organization, the Royal Ulster Constabulary. However, the British army shot and killed thirteen unarmed civil rights marchers; most of whom were seventeen years old and were wrongly labeled as "gunmen, murderers, bombers, terrorists." A fourteenth victim died later as a result of his wounds. The Northern Ireland Parliament was suspended and the city was subjected to direct rule from Westminster. Many of those shot, were shot in the back as they were running away or as they were attempting to render aid to those who were shot.
An inquiry into the situation just days after the incident was a hugely whitewashed inquiry that supported the British army killings as justified.
A second inquiry was conducted starting in 1998 and in 2010 the findings were released that the killings were not justified, that those shot were innocent, and that the British army lied to cover up their actions.
In 2010, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologized stating that he could not defend the indefensible.
An inquiry into the situation just days after the incident was a hugely whitewashed inquiry that supported the British army killings as justified.
A second inquiry was conducted starting in 1998 and in 2010 the findings were released that the killings were not justified, that those shot were innocent, and that the British army lied to cover up their actions.
In 2010, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologized stating that he could not defend the indefensible.