Derry (Londonderry), Northern Ireland

We drove about 5 hours north to get closer to the Antrim coast (tomorrow's journey). We stopped in Derry for the night. Derry (Londonderry to the Brits) is a former walled city that is still included within the new city boundaries. The walls were used during the fighting of James II and William I. They are well preserved and are walkable. We headed to see them in the afternoon and walked around for about an hour. From the walls you can see the famous Bogside district where the 1972 Bloody Sunday masacre happened. The area is a Catholic stronghold that still flies the Irish tricolour flag. It is one of the only areas that do in defiance to the British rule. To aid in the rememberance of the fighting, Bogside artists paint murals on building walls to commemorate their struggle. In the news today two Unionist groups have officially disarmed. To think that this is 2009 and they are finally putting down their guns. We head out of Ireland tomorrow night on a ferry and have a bit of sightseeing to do before we depart.