The Bogside Murals — created by the "Bogside Artists" trio Tom Kelly, William Kelly and Kevin Hasson, three local artists who grew up in this neighbourhood, working over 14 years from 1994 to 2008 to paint 12 giant murals continuously along the residential exterior walls of Rossville Street. This collection is recognised globally as the most historically impactful open-air "People's Gallery", employing the political mural style of Mexican muralist Rivera to freeze the darkest chapters of Northern Ireland's "Thirty-Year Conflict" (The Troubles) — the 1969 Battle of the Bogside, the 1972 Bloody Sunday, the 1981 hunger strike — on every wall. Workers, hammers, gears, gas masks, petrol bombs, doves of peace — these iconic symbols form the visual language of the Northern Irish trio. Viewed from atop the city walls, the entire Rossville Street unfolds like a graphic novel — each mural a frozen moment of a certain morning during the conflict years. Free 24/7 access, no reservation needed, one of Northern Ireland's most visited open-air art sites.
From the panoramic view of the murals atop the city walls to the mural pilgrimage along Rossville Street, from the Bloody Sunday Memorial Obelisk to the white wall bearing the black words of Free Derry Corner — step into Northern Ireland's most powerful open-air history lesson
In the morning, ascend the city walls at Bishop's Gate and walk anticlockwise to the Royal Bastion — from here you overlook the entire Bogside, the vividly coloured murals along Rossville Street unfolding like a graphic novel, the classic photo spot every visitor must capture. Descend the stone steps to Fahan Street, and within three minutes you'll reach "Free Derry Corner" — the white gable wall bearing the bold black letters "You Are Now Entering Free Derry" standing before you. Walk clockwise along Rossville Street, reading all 12 murals in sequence: from The Petrol Bomber to the Bloody Sunday Commemoration, from The Death of Innocence to The Saturday Matinée. Each mural has a numbered information panel at its base, arranged in the logic of a graphic novel — viewing them in order reveals the complete narrative. Pause at the Bloody Sunday Memorial Obelisk in the centre of the plaza, engraved with the names and ages of the 14 victims. In the afternoon, step into the Museum of Free Derry, exploring the full story of the conflict through 25,000+ community-donated artefacts. In the evening, walk along the eastern section of the city walls towards the Peace Bridge, crossing this steel "handshake" connecting two communities in the golden sunset — the perfect conclusion to your half-day mural tour.
Inside Peadar O'Donnell's Bar on Waterloo Street, one of Derry's oldest pubs, famous for traditional Irish live music. Low wooden beam ceiling, walls covered in old photos and civil rights movement posters, with local musicians playing fiddle and tin whistle every night. Signature Guinness beef stew (£14) with soda bread, paired with a pint of Guinness — the best way to experience Derry's authentic pub atmosphere. Average £15-25, no reservation needed but often packed after 8pm.
UK's Best Taproom winner, located in the former Ebrington Barracks at the east end of the Peace Bridge. 200+ craft beers paired with locally sourced slow-cooked food — Greencastle fresh fish, McAtamney's bone-in ribeye steak, beer-battered fish & chips (£13). Signature Derry Milk (chocolate milk stout) and Cherry-Londoncherry (cherry ale) are must-tries. Average £20-35, advance booking strongly recommended.
A popular local café on Strand Road, TripAdvisor 2025 Travellers' Choice. Signature chicken pesto sourdough sandwich (£8.50) and daily homemade soup (£5.50) are rated by diners as "the best sandwich and soup they've ever had." Window seats overlook the River Foyle — a cosy choice for refuelling after the mural walk. Average £8-15, no reservation needed.
A cosy little spot on Magazine Street, serving the most authentic Ulster fry — fried egg, bacon, sausage, black pudding (from Grace Hill, Antrim), white pudding, grilled tomato with homemade soda bread, a filling £9 meal. Rich coffee, relaxed atmosphere — the perfect choice before starting your day or after the mural walk. Average £8-12, no reservation needed.