The Guildhall

Step into the Guildhall

Welcome to the Guildhall, our city hall, in the heart of the city.  You’ll find yourself in another world where the grandeur of the Victorian era meets the vibrancy of the 21st Century. Amidst the splendour of this magnificent building you will see that the Guildhall is a living, breathing hub of activity, welcoming visitors from around the world, for business and leisure, while fulfilling it’s civic role with the Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour housed within its walls.

A Brief History of the Guildhall

The Guildhall is a Grade A listed building. It was erected in the 1880s in the neo-gothic style by The Honourable The Irish Society. The building was named to honour the historic link to the City of London and its guilds. It officially opened in 1890 and has been rebuilt and restored following a fire in 1908 and two bombings in 1972.

Clock Tower

The Guildhall Clock, modelled on London’s Big Ben, is a beacon across the city.  It was designed for the bells to ring on the hour and to chime quarterly. The clock tower, which stands 144 feet tall, is one of the only parts of the original building that survived the 1908 fire.

Stained Glass Windows 

Throughout the Guildhall there are an array of stunning stained glass windows, capturing some of the most important moments in the history of Derry – Londonderry, as well as iconic landmarks in the cityscape.

Ulster Plantation Exhibition

Take a journey through the Plantation of Ulster Exhibition on the ground floor where you can learn about the colonisation of Ulster during the reign of King James I in the 17th Century and the building of our famous city walls. Local 17th Century maps are on display to bring to life this pivotal period in both Ireland’s and Britain’s history.

MAIN HALL CORRIDOR

Time Capsule

The time capsule for the building was discovered during restoration work to the  building between 2010 and 2013. The contents were placed inside on the 22nd August 1887 and are on display in a glass cabinet outside the Main Hall.

Bloody Sunday/Saville Inquiry. 

In 1998 a second inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday in Derry, 30th January 1972, was announced. The Guildhall was where the new inquiry sat between April 1998 and November 2004. Further information and a short film are on display in the alcove beside the time capsule.

John Hume Peace Prize Collection.

A unique collection of the world renowned peace accolades.  The late John Hume was awarded the Nobel Peace prize, the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Jr. Non -Violent award. He is the only person in the world to have been awarded all three and they are on display in a glass cabinet outside the Main Hall.

Main Hall and Organ.

The Main Hall situated on the first floor hosts everything from concerts to craft fairs, as well as weddings and private functions. With two balconies and a roof constructed of mahogany panels framed with Californian red wood, its opulence and charm lends itself to any occasion. The Main Hall is the perfect setting for the magnificent century-old organ which was installed by Messrs Hill and Sons, of London, in 1914 and is still used for performances.

Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour.

When the Guildhall opened in 1890 it was the administrative centre for the Londonderry Corporation. More than a century on it still retains its civic function and is home to Derry City and Strabane District Council. The Council Chamber is on the first floor and the Mayor’s Parlour is on the ground floor. It is the only surviving Guildhall still in civic use in Ireland.