In 2013, the city of Derry-Londonderry became the UK’s first ever City of Culture and the Lonely Planet guide ranked it fourth among the world’s top city destinations.
Travel there from Enniskillen on the A32 and A5.
Children may wish to spend the morning Go-karting at the Castlefin X-treme Karting centre where cadet karts are also available.
Turn off the A5 towards Lifford at the Strabane roundabout. Here you will see artist Maurice Harron’s arresting sculpture known locally as ‘The Tinnies’. Then take the N15 to Castlefin. The fully outdoor racing track which covers 9 acres provides the thrills of hair pins, full-length straights and sweeping bends.
www.castlefinkarting.com
Saint Columba established a Christian settlement at Daire now Derry-Londonderry in the sixth century and the cathedral built in his name in 1633 still dominates the city skyline. www.stcolumbscathedral.org
When, in 1748, John Newton’s ship, the Greyhound, was storm tossed and almost sank off the Donegal coast near Lough Swilly, Newton stayed in Derry as a guest of the bishop while his ship was repaired. Thankful for his survival he later wrote the famous hymn Amazing Grace.
Derry city council offers some excellent guided tours. Enquire at the Tourist Information centre at 44 Foyle Street Tel 02871267284 www.visitderry.com.
Walk the 17th century city walls erected to defend the Plantation city.
Visit the Guildhall, the imposing city hall which was built in 1887 by the Honourable the Irish Society. Although it was severely damaged by fire in 1908 and by a terrorist bomb in 1972, the building has now been restored to its former glory. Notable features include stained glass windows offered by London guilds to commemorate the city’s craftsmen - and traders, the carpenters and ironmongers, the glaziers and painters. There are chandeliers of Czechoslovakian cut glass, and in the great hall, the roof is made from mahogany panels fr