Among Derry’s series of Londonderry murals, there is one that seems an inevitable and gratifying success. Visitors flock there to get the selfie of choice. The work in question presents the five main characters of the series Derry Girls, a symbol of the revival of a small Northern Irish town. Once bypassed by tourists, Northern Ireland has become a dynamic destination since the peace accords (or Good Friday Agreements) between Protestants and Catholics. In 1998, this protocol ended a thirty-year civil war between republicans, of the Catholic faith, and Unionists, of the Protestant faith.
In addition to the stunning geological wonder that is the Giant’s Causeway, the British state now derives its popularity from the soap operas that are filmed there. Game Of Thrones sure, but also comedy Derry Girls which transformed the character of Derry-Londonderry. In celebration of this Friday’s release of the comedy’s third season on Netflix, Le Figaro invites you to follow in the footsteps of Erin, Orla, Michelle, Claire and James and discover the new face of the fortified town long associated with the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972.
A new type of wall painting
Launched on Channel 4 in England in 2018 and broadcast on Netflix in France, Derry Girls follows five high school students living in the mid-1990s during the final years of The Troubles. Inspired by her youth and starring Liam Neeson and Chelsea Clinton in key scenes, Lisa McGee’s funny and edgy series intertwines teenage concerns with a hint of political subtext (bomb threats, Bill Clinton’s visit). The series captures the city’s must-see attractions, the four-hundred-year-old medieval walls, The Guildhall (neo-gothic style town hall with magnificent stained glass windows), Long Tower Churchor BogsideAn IRA quarter bastion with many murals depicting the most tragic moments of the Troubles.
But the series has also pushed new areas of the city into the light. Hence the huge mural of characters from the series at 18 Orchard Street. Take time for a drink after the selfie Badger’s Bar, the pub that gave its facade to the realization of this work. The latter says a lot about the tranquility of the Catholic and Protestant communities. Other ceremonial stops for fans. St Columb’s Hall, Yellow Yard, Dennis W Shop, Pomp Street.
Afternoon tea and fish and chips
Pilgrimage Derry Girlsa series where Fish and Chips is king can’t be complete without being tempted by a snack or a pint. Everglades Hotel offers “afternoon tea”. Traditional “finger sandwiches” shoulder a portion of potatoes, puff pastry with sausages, biscuits, pastries, including the iconic “cream horn” of the saga. Not forgetting the sweetest vodka-based pink cocktail. As a gift and a cute little souvenir, a small yellow plastic duck dressed in the heroines’ uniform can accompany you on your future adventures and launch your collection. Souvenir shops are full of them.
A delicious “gastropub” for beer lovers A walled cityBrewerylocated on the site of a former British army barracks and overlooking the Peace Bridge, offers beers named after the series: Sexy Priest, Punt Purse and Derry Spice.
Practical notebook
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Sign up for a city tour. Martin McCrossan City Tours offers tours of the historic city center (all year, £6) and the Bogside (by booking), as well as a special Derry Girls route (every Saturday from April to October, then £10 on request). Founded shortly before the peace accords by Martin McCrossan, the first to believe in his city’s tourism potential, City Tours is taken over by his daughter, the bubbly Charlene, who is never short of anecdotes. Count from an hour to an hour and a half, whether it’s sunny, rainy, or windy.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Drive north from Dublin following the N2 and A5. The journey takes about three and a half hours. From Belfast after the M2 or A6, 1.5 hrs. There are also direct bus services between Belfast and Derry-London with Translink.
GOOD CHOICE
Walled City Brewery. 70 Ebrington Street. Open Tuesday to Sunday. In addition to an extensive list of local beers and tasting plates, the menu offers vegetarian curries, salmon, lamb stew or roasts. We welcome Affogato frozen desserts.
Soda and starch. 15 Craft Village, Shipquay Street, Derry, BT48 6AR.
OR SLEEP
Everglades Hotel, 4 stars. Prehen Road, Derry, BT47 2NH +44 28 7132 1066. As well as its £30 Derry Girls Afternoon Tea, the establishment offers a traditional £25 Afternoon Tea.
City Hotel Derry, 4 stars and rooftop. Queens Quay, Londonderry BT48 7AS, +44 28 7136 5800.
Shipquay Hotel near the walls and town hall. 15-17 Shipquay Street, Derry – Londonderry, BT48 6DJ. +44 28 71267266.
For more information www.irlande-tourisme.fr.
Source: Le Figaro
