Special Walled City heritage showcase planned for June
28 May 2026
Derry City and Strabane District Council is inviting everyone to celebrate Heritage Month this June with an extensive and exciting programme of events and animation showcasing popular local culture and heritage venues.
The month-long programme titled ‘Walled City Alive’, will bring the story of Derry’s historic Walled City to life through a diverse series of activities including music, dance, storytelling, guided tours and hands-on creative workshops. The programme encourages people of all ages to connect with the city’s unique heritage in an interactive and creative way and explore different parts of the city to discover hidden heritage gems.
Highlights include daily guided tours of the Guildhall, the ever-popular Derry Girls Experience at the Tower Museum, the Medieval Pilgrim Path walking tours, and a variety of exhibitions such as A Story About Us at the Verbal Arts Centre and De Valera in Derry at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Irish music sessions around the city’s historic walls, as well as animated performances such as ‘Voices of the Walls’ and ‘Up the Walls with MakeyUppers’.
Special events throughout the month include craft workshops at No.19 Craft Village, concerts at St Columb’s Cathedral and St Augustine’s Church, the Every Voice Festival, and the Summer Solstice Garden Party at St Columb’s Park House.
The programme will culminate in the much-anticipated Foyle Maritime Festival, and a spectacular finale to a month of cultural celebration.
Launching the programme today, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairi McHugh, said the programme reflects the City and District’s rich heritage and strong sense of community.
“Heritage Month provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the stories, traditions and cultural identity that make our City and District so special,” he declared. “The Walled City Alive programme is a fantastic showcase of our historic assets, bringing them to life through creativity and community engagement. I would encourage everyone to get involved, explore our heritage sites and take part in the wide range of events happening throughout June.”
Council Tourism Manager, Jennifer O’Donnell, said the programme has been carefully curated to appeal to both locals and visitors. “The Heritage Month programme offers something for everyone, from guided tours and exhibitions to live performances and family-friendly activities. It highlights not only our world-class heritage venues but also the creativity and talent within our local community. We are delighted to welcome visitors to experience the unique stories of our Walled City in such an immersive and engaging way.”
Chief Executive of The Honourable The Irish Society, Duane Farrell, said: “Programmes such as Walled City Alive are a strong example of how culture and heritage can be brought to life through participation, creativity, and shared experience. What matters is not just the historic assets themselves, but how people engage with them - creating opportunities for residents and visitors alike to connect with the stories, traditions and places that shape the Walled City. Initiatives like this help strengthen culture and heritage as shared community assets, encouraging greater understanding, learning and a deeper sense of place across the city”.
To find out more about the full programme of events taking place throughout Heritage Month this June go to www.visitderry.com