Most people associate the term “The Troubles “with the period of strife in N. Ireland from 1969 to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement 1998 but political trouble, agitation and war has been ongoing for centuries. As this cemetery opened in 1853 it has missed the stories of many periods but has lots on the troublesome era of 1914-22. In fact many are surprised at the graves from this period and the mentions of riots, murders, gun-battles, IRA, UVF and British Army. Quoted often on tours is “so history has repeated itself?” The similarities from both periods are obvious so the cemetery tours cover both.
Graves visited in the 1914-22 period include Old IRA volunteers ,UVF members , British soldiers and the many innocent victims of the conflict. During 1920 forty people died on the streets of Derry including twenty in June. Their stories are told including combatants and innocents. Highlights of this section are the graves of Irish Volunteers commander Mc Glinchey and Lieutenant Crockett of the Inniskilling Fusiliers killed in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rebellion.
The recent troubles feature the two Irish Republican plots including the graves of 1981 Hunger Strikers Michael Devine ,Patsy O’Hara , the Provisional plot with the resting place of Martin Mc Guinness , IRA Volunteers, Bloody Sunday plot and the many innocent victims including several children. Many reviews on Trip Advisor mention the impartiality and fairness in the telling of the stories unlike other tours who by choice give very opinionated commentary. The grave of Nobel Peace Prize Winner is very popular with visitors looking to pay their respects. Nearby is the grave of a local man who was the key link between Republicans and the British Government over many years .The graves of several Civil Rights leaders feature also including a lady known locally as Derry’s answer to Rosa Parkes, Bridget Bond. The modern “Troubles” section is undoubtably the most popular period of the tour.
If you are interested in doing a Tour with us, we would be delighted to see you. Contact Us to book a tour.
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Visit the Bloody Sunday Plot with Friends of Derry City Cemetery | Jan 2023
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