Download the NIEA Wonderful Days Out Derry Londonderry Calendar

‘Defences of Culmore’ at Culmore Artillery Fort,– a walking tour: Sunday 2nd June, 12 – 2pmExplore the history of this important artillery fortby taking a tour with Manus Deery, a principalconservation architect within NIEA. Learn aboutthe evolution of the site and how its militaryfunction influenced the surrounding area andthe importance of the fort during the 1689 Siegeof Derry.The tour is free but booking is essential. The tourwill last for 1 ½ to 2 hours. For more informationor to book a place, contact 028 9054 3188WWII Archaeology Day at Beech Hill CountryHouse Hotel, Sunday 2nd June, 11am,2pm & 3.30pmInvestigate the remains of Beech Hill Camp, oneof 10 sites across Derry/Londonderry that madeup the US Navy’s Base One Europe 1942-44. Prizeswill also be given out for the best costumes andmost interesting photographs taken on the day.Organised by the Beech Hill US Navy & MarineCorps Association with support from the HolywellTrust, Faughan Valley Landscape Partnership & theHeritage Lottery Fund.Free guided tours with an archaeologist andhistorian will depart at 11 am, 2pm, and 3.30 pm,some of which will require woodland walkingfootwear and clothing.For more information contact 028 7134 9279‘The book of Kells, the great glories of Westernart’ at the Tower Museum, Book launch andlecture, Wednesday, 5th June, 6pmJames Joyce claimed the The Book of Kells is “themost purely Irish thing we have”, yet the book maywell have been created in the late 8th century onthe island of Iona in Western Scotland, where amonastery had been founded by Colmcille. A newacclaimed edition of the Book of Kells by BernardMeehan, Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity CollegeDublin, offers new insights into its history andiconography; join him for a special illustrated talkon one of the great glories of Western art.Free admission, for more informationcontact 028 7137 2411‘Colmcille: His Life and Legacy’ at the TowerMuseum, Book launch and lecture, Thursday6th June, 7pmBrian Lacey’s new publication looks at what wecan know about the real figure of Colmcille, anddistinguish him from the wonderful yet fictionalcharacter which was emerged from the stories thathave developed over the last fourteen centuries.The book also draws on the astonishing amountof textual and archaeological scholarship relatingto the saint that has appeared in the last fifteenyears or so.Free admission, for more informationcontact 028 7137 241124 A25 A

Excavation with living history at Prehen House,Friday 7th, 14th, 21st June, 2 - 4 pm &Saturday 22nd June, 12 – 4pmThis exciting excavation will be open to thepublic every Friday during June so that everyonewill have the opportunity to find out what thearchaeologists are discovering. On Saturday22nd June, from 1 – 4pm, visitors will also havethe added bonus of meeting one of Prehen’searliest residents from the 17th century, whowill tell stories of the characters who lived at thisPlantation house over the years, and the eventsthat took place there.Free admission, for more informationcontact 028 9054 3030The Return of Colmcille to Derry~Londonderry,Friday 7th & Saturday 8th June, throughoutthe dayTaking place over two days, the city ofDerry~Londonderry welcomes Colmcille homewith a series of displays, processions and pageants.Watch as Colmcille meets characters from the city’srich history and discovers how this once, smallsettlement has developed into a thriving culturalhub. Plus, see Colmcille do battle with the LochNess Monster!For more information contact 028 7131 0560Coastal Churches – a bus tour of medieval andpost-medieval church sites, Saturday 8th June,10am – 5pm.Scattered across the northwest region are dozensof historic church ruins ranging in date from theearly Christian period right through to the 19thcentury. This tour will explore a select number ofthese sites including Downhill, St Aidan’s, Ballykelly,Eglinton and Enagh. While some of the churches onour tour were built to serve the newly-establishedPlantation villages (as at Ballykelly and Eglinton),others may have had a more ancient past. The tourwill depart from St Columb’s Park at 10am.The tour is free but booking is essential,for more information or to book a place,contact 028 9054 3188Meet the 1800s Soldier of Martello Tower,Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June, 1 - 5pmTake the opportunity to see inside this, one ofthe few surviving Martello Towers. Find out aboutthe soldiers who guarded the mouth of the Foyleagainst invasion by Napoleon between 1812and 1817. Enjoy the view which includes its twinin Greencastle, Co Donegal and it’s setting inMagilligan Point Nature Reserve.Free admission, for more informationcontact 028 7772 2074‘Columba Canticles - Four centuries of song’, atSt Columb’s Cathedral, Sunday 9th June, 7.30pmFeaturing the choirs of the Universities of Ulsterand Aberdeen combined with the LondonSouthbank Sinfonia, this promises to be a joyousand memorable occasion. Using song to tell thestory of Derry~Londonderry’s rich history, thisunique experience is not to be missed.For more information contact 028 7126 802726 A27 A

Marks of Time - The Buildings ofDerry~Londonderry at the Playhouse Theatre,10th - 18th June 9.30am - 9pm dailyManus Deery from the Historic Buildings Unit of theNorthern Ireland Environment Agency, provides apersonal contribution to the ‘City of Culture’ withthis exhibition. This unique showing illustrates thedevelopment of the city’s architecture over timethrough 72 watercolour sketches, supplementedby brief explanatory notes. Today’s city is a complexplace, influenced by its site, available materials andlocal traditions, yet displays influences from ideasacross the world. It is a city with places of greatbeauty, and a robust character making it a city to beproud of.This exhibition is sponsored by Derry City Council’sHeritage and Museum Service, and by The Inner CityTrust and The Honourable Irish Society.Entry to the exhibition is open to the publicand free admission. for more informationcontact 028 9054 3030‘The Archaeology of the City’ NorthwestArchaeological & Historical Society Lecture atthe White Horse Hotel, Friday, 14th June, 7.30pmRoy Hamilton of the Northwest Archaeologicaland Historical Society explores the archaeologicalheritage of the city of Derry~Londonderry and itsenvirons.Free admission, for more informationcontact 028 9054 3188An Archeology Day tour of Derry City’s Wallswith Ruairi O’Baoill, Saturday 15th June,11am & 2pmTour the historic city walls of Derry withRuairi O’Baoill, archaeologist with Centre forArchaeological Fieldwork at Queen’s UniversityBelfast, and author of “The Archaeology of DerryCity and its Environs”.Meet at Tower Museum, Union Hall Place. Tours willlast between 1 1/2 and 2 hours.This tour is free but booking is essential, for moreinformation and to book contact 028 7137 2411The ancient lanes of Prehen – a walking tour ofthe Prehen Estate, Sunday 16th June, 1 – 3pmThe Prehen estate, established in the early 17thcentury, has remained one of Derry~Londonderry’smost enigmatic properties. Led by GeorgeMcLaughlin of the Prehen Historical andEnvironmental Society, this tour explores theestates ancient lanes and historic buildings.Sneak a peek at the community dig and see whatarchaeological secrets are being uncovered.The tour is free but booking is essential. The tourwill last for 1 ½ to 2 hours, for more information orto book a place contact 028 9054 318828 A29 A

Roe Valley Country Park (RVCP), Cultural Leap!Sunday 16th June, 12 – 5pmCome to a cultural celebration at Roe ValleyCountry Park from ancient myths, through recenthistory to the present parkland! You will bewelcomed by ‘Sir Thomas Phillips’, transported fromthe 17th century and promenading in the Park tosurvey his land, and hear of how he built his house,bawn and the village.There will also be an illustrated talk on the mythof ‘the Leaping Dog’, cultural craft demonstrationssuch as weaving and tanning, and guided walksaround the historic sites within the park with theopportunity to see inside the Powerhouse, the firstcommercial hydroelectric plant in Ulster. Livelymusic and dance will complete the afternoon‘sentertainment.Circular courtesy transport from Limavady – RVCP– Dungiven- RVCP – Limavady.For more information contact 028 7772 2074Roe Valley Country Park (RVCP), Unveiling ofthe new ‘Leaping Dog’! Monday 17th June, 2pmA Leaping Dog sculpture commissioned byLimavady Borough Council and created by MauriceHarron will be unveiled just outside the DogleapCentre. After, there will be a talk on the historyand legends associated with the park by experthistorians Prof Audrey Horning & Terence Reeves-Smith of the NIEA, in the Green Lane Museum.Free admission, for more informationcontact 028 7772 2074Causeway and Mid-Antrim Museum Services,1613 - 2013 Cultural Fusions Project Bus Tour,Saturday 22nd June, 10am - 5pmAs Limavady celebrates the 400th anniversaryof its town charter, Causeway and Mid-AntrimMuseum Services are offering a tour, funded byEuropean Union’s PEACE III Programme, exploringarchaeological evidence from the 17th century.Led by archaeologist, Nick Brannon, this bus tourpromises a revealing exploration of sites in the RoeValley and beyond, where remnants of the periodare all around us, but often lie hidden. Tour departsfrom the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre/IonadEalaíon agus Cultúir Ghleann na Ró, Main Street,Limavady at 10am.Free admission but booking is essential,For more information or to book a place,contact 028 7776 6050Meet the Soldiers of the Siege at Siege Windmil,Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd June, 1 – 5pmA unique opportunity to visit this impressivemonument and learn about its important roleduring the 1689 Siege of Derry. Meet the Jacobitesoldiers who supported the Catholic King JamesII, who seized the windmill in the late 1600s. Learnabout the types of weapons the soldiers wouldhave used, and listen to tales of how they wouldhave survived on meagre food rations during the105 days of the Siege.This windmill is located in the grounds of LumenChristi College.Free admission, for more informationcontact 028 7136 259532 A33 A

Create prosperity and well being throughenvironment and heritage excellence.Northern Ireland Environment AgencyKlondyke BuildingCromac AvenueGasworks Business ParkLower Ormeau RoadMalone lowerBelfastBT7 2JAT. 0845 302 0008www.doeni.gov.uk/nieaHistoric Building & MonumentsWaterman House5-33 Hill StTown parksBelfastBT1 2LAT. 028 9054 3095