Derry Girls Fam Trip
After our transfer from Belfast Airport to Derry (this currently takes circa 1 hour 20 minutes but when the new motorway opens in March, this will reduce to circa 1 hour we flew from Manchester to Belfast International but there is a direct flight from Liverpool to Derry City airport cutting the transfer time to circa 15 minutes), we enjoyed a hearty lunch in Badgers Bar (I went for traditional beef and Guinness casserole with champ) which was delicious. We also had chance to admire the Derry Girls Mural!
We then had an afternoon workshop at the wonderful Millennium Forum Theatre and Conference Centre meeting local hoteliers and experience suppliers. There is so much to enjoy not only in Derry but also within a 40-minute drive. This includes outdoor experiences such as horse riding on the beaches, hover craft racing, plentiful golf courses, beachside towns as well as the famed Giants Causeway.
It really was so beneficial to me, and I learnt so much about what this part of the world has to offer but also the range of different hotels you can enjoy!
We stayed at the Bishop's Gate Hotel and it was stunning! A fellow travel professional on the trip described it perfectly, it is like getting a big hug when you walk in, it just has that lovely vibe. It was dressed for Christmas and felt so cozy with impeccable service!
We then dined at the phenomenal Artis Restaurant in Derry’s picturesque Craft Village, all ingredients are locally produced or foraged by the Great British Menu chef Phelim O’Hagan, who came out from his kitchen to tell us about his story so far. Watch this space for a Michelin Star coming his way soon!
The next day we headed out into a blustery Derry day and did a wonderful, insightful walking tour of the City of Derry & the walls with the brilliant blue badge guide Charlene McCrossan from Martin Mc Crossan City Tours. Derry is the last remaining City in the UK to have fully intact city walls and one of the last in Europe. The history dates back 1000s of years and I recommend anyone who comes to this amazing city does the same tour!
We then set off on another tour, this time it was The Derry Girls food tour which a must for any Derry Girls fan! We even made our own Cream Horns!!
Spending time at the Museum of Free Derry is an essential part of a visit to the city. The small museum is in Bogside in the heart of where the events of Bloody Sunday took place, surrounded by murals depicting the Civil Rights Movement.
Family members of those killed on Bloody Sunday are there in person to tell their own stories of how their lives were changed by the events that took place. A poignant reminder of terrible things that have happened in our very recent history.
Thankfully we did do a lot of walking as we then enjoyed a Derry Girls Afternoon Tea at The Everglades Hotel including all the usual afternoon tea delights but with the addition of Tayto Cheese & Onion crisp sandwiches (delicious), chips, sausage rolls in baps (a new one on me but very popular in Northern Ireland), and a Derry Girls duck!
The day finished with a scenic walk over the Peace Bridge across the River Foyle for another wonderful meal at the Walled City Brewery where we dined in the newly opened Taproom.
The Walled City Brewery serve their unique craft beers which are brewed on site and an excellent selection of cocktails.
The Ebrington Square area is developing into a vibrant hub with a new luxury hotel The Ebrington Hotel opening next year, and lots more restaurants and bars coming soon. All just a short walk from the city centre
Our final day finished with a tour of the beautiful Derry Guildhall, learning a little of its history and checking out all the different event spaces including the Council Chambers.
We enjoyed a lovely bucks fizz reception in the ornate Main Hall with its stained glass windows and impressive pipe organ (it was hosting an artisan craft fair whilst we were there).
Very soon the Guildhall will have on display all three of John Hume’s peace prizes together in one place, loaned to the city permanently by his family. John Hume is the only person in the world to have been awarded all three of these prizes which include the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998, the Martin Luther King Jnr Non-Violent Award in 1999 and the International Gandhi Peace Prize in 2001.
Derry exceeded my expectations, and I will definitely return to this beautiful part of the world and spend even more time enjoying the city and the surrounding area.
Please do get in touch if you would like more information, I would love to tailor an adventure to you suggesting interesting places to stay and amazing experiences to enjoy!