Derry: Bogside Walking Tour with Bloody Sunday Sites & Local Stories

Summary

Walk Derry’s Bogside, hear real stories from locals, see murals and the Bloody Sunday site up close

You’ll walk Derry’s Bogside with someone who lived through its hardest days, hearing stories right where they happened. See famous murals up close, stand at the Bloody Sunday site, ask anything you want — even if it’s hard to say out loud. This tour isn’t just history; it’s memory shared in real time.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this hush you notice first — not silence, exactly, but that careful quiet you get when people are listening for something underneath. We met our guide John outside the Free Derry Museum, and he shook my hand like he meant it. I remember the smell of damp stone and distant fried food (someone was making chips nearby), and then we were off down a street I’d only ever seen in news photos. John pointed at the Free Derry Wall, paint still bright against the grey sky. He started telling us about growing up here during The Troubles, his voice steady but there was this edge to it — like he was carrying every story in his pocket.

I’m not sure what I expected from a Bogside walking tour. Probably just facts and dates, but John kept slipping in these small details — how his mum used to peek out the curtains during marches, or how you could tell which way things would go by the way people moved that morning. We stopped at one mural where two kids were painted holding hands; someone had left fresh flowers below it. The air felt thick there. John told us about Bloody Sunday right where it happened — not dramatic, just honest — and I caught myself staring at a bit of broken pavement while he talked about friends lost. He didn’t rush us along; actually, he waited while we took it all in.

At one point I tried to pronounce “Glenfada” like a local and totally failed — John laughed and said most visitors do. There were moments of lightness too: someone’s dog ran past chasing a ball, and for a second it felt like any other city neighborhood. But then you’d look up at another mural or monument and remember where you were standing. By the time we looped back to the museum, rain had started spitting down but nobody seemed bothered (John joked they’d call this “a soft day”). I still think about that view down Rossville Street — heavy history but somehow hopeful too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Bogside's historical landmarks

• Start outside Free Derry Museum
• See Free Derry Wall and murals
• Visit Bloody Sunday monument and massacre site
• Learn about Civil Rights and Battle of the Bogside
• Hear personal stories from local guide John
• Discover history behind the murals
• End outside Free Derry Museum

Top questions

Where does the Bogside walking tour start?

The tour begins outside the Museum of Free Derry in Glenfada Park.

How long is the Derry Bogside walking tour?

The exact duration isn’t listed, but expect enough time to cover key sites with space for questions.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Who leads the walking tours in Derry?

The tours are led by local guides who lived through The Troubles; some helped found justice campaigns.

What will I see on this walking tour?

You’ll see the Free Derry Wall, Bogside murals, Bloody Sunday monument and massacre site.

Is there transport if it rains?

A private car seating four passengers is available in case of poor weather.

Can I ask questions during the tour?

Yes, you can ask as many questions as you want throughout the tour.

Are group tours available?

Yes, group tours are welcome; contact for rates.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your local guide outside the Free Derry Museum before exploring historic sites on foot (or by private car if weather turns bad). You’ll visit murals and monuments central to The Troubles story with plenty of time for questions—wheelchair access is available throughout.