Londonderry (city)

Londonderry (city) or Derry, city in north-western Northern Ireland, at the head of Lough Foyle on the north coast of Northern Ireland. Londonderry is a seaport, and manufactures artificial fibres, clothing, food products, furniture, boats, and computer components and high-tech products. Places of interest include the finely preserved old walls of the city, the Protestant St Columb's Cathedral (17th century), and Magee University College (1865).

St Columba established an abbey on the site around ad 546, around which the community of Derry grew. In 1613 jurisdiction of the town was granted to London, and it was renamed Londonderry. However, Irish nationalists—and the city council—still call the city Derry. During the Glorious Revolution (1688-1689), the city withstood a famous siege by the forces of James II for 105 days. Beginning in 1969, bitter fighting broke out there between Roman Catholic and Protestant factions. Until 1974 Londonderry was the county town of the former county of Londonderry (see Derry City). In early 2003 the council passed a proposal aimed at changing the name of the city from Londonderry to Derry. Population 105,066 (2002).