June 18

Pop and Nora are spending the day with their friend Isabel. When we arrive back in Derry city some of us head to walk atop the wall. It’s about a mile around the city and at several locations you can still find some of the old cannons that were used to fortify the city. Along our walk on the wall we run into many of the faces of Derry, school children, young and old alike out for a walk on a great day. From the wall we all make our way to the Guild Hall which would be considered a town hall or city hall. Fashioned in neo-gothic style, the Guild Hall is the city’s premier civic center and one of the most striking buildings in Derry. It was built in 1887 but was destroyed by fire in 1908 and then rebuilt; then again in 1972 the Guildhall would have to have a portion of its structure rebuilt again, because of an explosion set by the IRA. The hall was rebuilt quickly as not to let the IRA think they had done much damage.
The Guildhall has some of the most spectacular examples of stained glass windows. These windows have such a history and appeal.
I head to the Tower museum with my kids and my older sister Colette and her two boys. Once inside my sister has secured a tour guide to take us around. I have to admit, I am not much of a tour guide type of person but I am so glad she did. Our guide was a friendly fellow by the name of Jerry. He took us from display to display and gave us a through history of the city. I was amazed how much history my parents had taught me from the city’s beginning through World War II, how the U.S. used the river Foyle as a base for their battle ships and how Germany surrendered 16 U-boat to the United States right in this harbor. All the way to the struggle and unrest of the 70’s and 80’s. The museum did a great job telling the story about the civil unrest without picking sides.
After our tour we share some small talk with the tour guide Jerry and Colette tells him my mother is from High Street and he informs us that it is just around the corner and proceeds to show us the way to where the house is and gives Colette a tie with the city coat of arms on it for my father. The only people whom get such a tie are city council members.