Londonderry << LUHN duhn DEHR ee >> is the official name of a city in Northern Ireland that is also known as Derry. The city’s name is sometimes written as Derry/Londonderry. Londonderry is one of Northern Ireland’s largest cities. A seaport, it lies 64 miles (103 kilometers) northwest of Belfast on a hill overlooking the River Foyle. It is governed by the elected Derry City and Strabane District Council, which has a population of 150,756.
A wall 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) long was built in 1609. It helped in defending Londonderry against James II in 1689. Modern Londonderry has spread far beyond the wall. The city’s chief industries include brewing, tanning, and linen making. Londonderry has an excellent harbor, and is a center of sea trade with England, Scotland, and Wales and with coastal cities of Northern Ireland. Londonderry was the site of serious rioting about civil rights in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. See also Northern Ireland (The Troubles).
