Tower Museum

Tower Museum The award winning Tower Museum is located within the city’s historic walls. The Tower is open Monday to Sunday from 9am – 4pm. And our city’s regeneration.
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The award winning Tower Museum is located within the city’s historic walls at Union Hall Place. Specialist Features:

- Lecture room seating 70 people for talks and lectures
- Education Programme for formal and informal learning.
- Education Room seating 30 people for specialist lessons and lectures
- Travelling / Temporary Exhibitions are on display throughout the year

Permanent exhibitions at t

he museum include The Story of Derry and the An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera. The Story of Derry exhibition narrates the story from Monastic times, the Plantation of Londonderry, the Siege of Derry, through to the growth of Derry during the 18th and 19th centuries. Life during the 20th century is also included with the build up to the Civil Rights Movement and the impact of the Troubles. An Armada shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera exhibition tells the story of La Trinidad Valencera, one of the largest ships in the Armada Fleet. In 1588 it foundered in Kinnegoe Bay in Co. Donegal during a violent storm and was discovered nearly 400 years later by divers from the City of Derry Sub Aqua Club. An array of exciting artefacts on loan from the Ulster Museum, recovered from the ship includes cannons, textiles, pottery, wooden bowls, pewter dishes, goblets, coins and shoes along with many other items.

Join the Friends of the Derry Walls and Margaret Edwards (Museum Service Manager for DCSDC) for an exclusive, firsthand ...
28/05/2026

Join the Friends of the Derry Walls and Margaret Edwards (Museum Service Manager for DCSDC) for an exclusive, firsthand update on the progress of our city's highly anticipated DNA Museum.

This exciting new heritage hub is set to celebrate Derry and the wider district’s deep, historic connection to the North Atlantic. Come discover how our unique global history, maritime adventures, and the remarkable people tied to this region have actively shaped our heritage and created our distinctive local personality. It is a fantastic opportunity to glimpse the future of our local history preservation!

Event Details
📍 Venue: Tower Museum

📅 Date: Monday, June 15th

⏰ Time: 7:00 PM

🎟️ This is a FREE event, but booking is essential to secure your seat!

Email: [email protected]

Call: 028 71 372411

Painting the figure: Through the eyes of Degas, with Artist Sinéad Smyth6th June 2-4pm, Strabane Library & Alley Theatre...
20/05/2026

Painting the figure: Through the eyes of Degas, with Artist Sinéad Smyth

6th June 2-4pm, Strabane Library & Alley Theatre

Join us for workshop focused on painting and drawing the human figure through the lens of Edgar Degas (1834–1917).

Participants are invited to explore movement, gesture and observation, inspired by his iconic ballet dancers. Working from live models (clothed) and photographic references, participants can study how Degas captured fleeting moments rather than staged performances. Through guided exercises, participants experiment with layering, mark-making, and tonal contrast to convey the figure, developing an understanding of how Degas balanced realism with spontaneity.

The workshop encourages artists to see the figure not as a static subject, but as an ever-shifting presence shaped by light, motion, and perspective.

Participants and invited to bring a sketchbook, and some photographic references for their own use. Other materials: painting boards, acrylic paint, brushes and charcoal, will be provided.

See the printed artwork as part of the ‘Art on Your Doorstep’ trail at Strabane Library – Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917), Ballet Dancers, About 1890-1900

This event is bookable via the Alley Theatre

https://alley-theatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173673434/events

Get ready to unleash your inner artist because tomorrow, Saturday 16th May, is National Drawing Day! We’re celebrating w...
15/05/2026

Get ready to unleash your inner artist because tomorrow, Saturday 16th May, is National Drawing Day!

We’re celebrating with The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep, a free outdoor trail featuring life-size masterpieces by icons like Van Gogh and Renoir. Designed to spark creativity and curiosity, this trail invites you to pick up a pencil and see art in a whole new way.

Simply grab a FREE activity sheet and map from the Tower Museum or Guildhall or download one at https://towermuseumcollections.com/art-on-your-doorstep/ and start your adventure!

Trail sites include:
• Tower Museum
• Acorn Farm
• St Columb's Park House
• Strabane Library
• Newtownstewart Castle
• The Diamond Castlederg

Celebrate National Drawing Day on Saturday 16 May by getting inspired through art, creativity and discovery with The Nat...
11/05/2026

Celebrate National Drawing Day on Saturday 16 May by getting inspired through art, creativity and discovery with The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep 🎨✏️

National Drawing Day is all about encouraging everyone to pick up a pencil, get creative and enjoy looking at art in new ways and the Art On Your Doorstep trail is the perfect place for families to explore together.

Follow the free outdoor exhibition trail, discover life-size reproductions of masterpieces from the National Gallery collection, and scan the QR codes at each artwork to uncover more about the artists, stories and details within each painting. Maybe you’ll even spot something no one else has noticed before!

Featuring artworks by artists including Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Vincent van Gogh, the trail has been designed to spark creativity, imagination and moments of joy in everyday life.

Pick up a trail map from the Guildhall or Tower Museum, or download one online at https://towermuseumcollections.com/art-on-your-doorstep/

📍 Trail sites include:
• Tower Museum
• Acorn Farm
• St Columb's Park House
• Strabane Library
• Newtownstewart Castle
• The Diamond Castlederg

Outdoors and free to enjoy until 30 September 2026.

From six-day weeks, fines, and child labour to unionisation and collective action: Derry’s shirt factory workers fought ...
04/05/2026

From six-day weeks, fines, and child labour to unionisation and collective action: Derry’s shirt factory workers fought for change.

This May Day, we remember their struggle and the power of workers united as the Archives Revealed – Exploring the Shirt Factory Archives project uncovers these stories, the friendships, and the realities behind the industry.

📸 Images from MSS.02, the collection currently being catalogued as part of this ongoing project.

📩 For research enquiries, donations, or if you have a story to tell, please contact us at [email protected] and stay tuned for upcoming events.

Derry’s shirt factories were powered by women – around 90% of the workforce - many leading the fight for union rights.Th...
04/05/2026

Derry’s shirt factories were powered by women – around 90% of the workforce - many leading the fight for union rights.

This May Day, we honour their legacy and the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights through a National Archives funded project Archives Revealed – Exploring the Shirt Factory Archives, bringing their voices back into the story.

They built strong communities, formed long lasting friendships, supporting one another through long hours, low pay and shared experiences.

📸 Images from MSS.02, the collection currently being catalogued as part of this ongoing project.

📩 For research enquiries, donations, or if you have a story to tell, please contact us at [email protected] and stay tuned for upcoming events.

Thank you to everyone who came to visit the Story of Derry here in Tower Museum today for one final time, we really appr...
26/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to visit the Story of Derry here in Tower Museum today for one final time, we really appreciate your support.

Rest assured the popular Derry Girls Experience is still open for visitors and this is just the next chapter in an ever evolving story about our city and its illustrious history.

We look forward to seeing you all at the DNA Museum!

26/04/2026

Come along today for a final chance to experience the Story of Derry — free entry for all.

Are you ready for one last trip through the Story of Derry?After closing in February and ahead of its move to the new DN...
25/04/2026

Are you ready for one last trip through the Story of Derry?

After closing in February and ahead of its move to the new DNA Museum at Ebrington, we’re opening the doors one final time.

Tomorrow, Sunday 26th April, is your last chance to explore the exhibition and experience the story of the city through the ages.

Enjoy live background music, free guided tours at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm, and character actors from The MakeyUppers.

Don’t miss your final chance to be part of the Story of Derry.

Are you ready for one last trip through the Story of Derry?Having closed its doors at the end of February, the Story of ...
20/04/2026

Are you ready for one last trip through the Story of Derry?

Having closed its doors at the end of February, the Story of Derry exhibition is now preparing for its transition to the new DNA Museum at Ebrington. While an exciting new chapter lies ahead, we’re opening the doors one final time to give visitors a chance to say goodbye.

The exhibition traces the story of the city across thousands of years — from the earliest Neolithic settlers along the River Foyle, through the building of the iconic 17th-century walls and the Siege of 1689, to the defining social and cultural moments of the 20th century.

On Sunday 26th April, you’ll have a final opportunity to step inside, explore these stories, and experience the exhibition in all its depth before it closes for good.

Whether you’re returning for one last visit or finally making the trip, this is your chance to be part of the Story of Derry one final time.

Family historians across Ireland are eagerly awaiting the release of the 1926 Census; the first to be made freely availa...
18/04/2026

Family historians across Ireland are eagerly awaiting the release of the 1926 Census; the first to be made freely available since the 1911 census, and a major milestone for anyone researching Irish ancestry. This long-anticipated publication is expected to open up new avenues for tracing families, understanding social history, and filling in gaps left by earlier records.

It’s important to note, however, that this release applies only to the 26 counties of what is now the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately, the census returns for Northern Ireland were destroyed during the war effort, meaning that equivalent records for those six counties will not be available.

Meanwhile, the Tower Museum is actively working on digitising the Derry Almanacs as part of a wider archive initiative for the DNA Museum. These efforts aim to preserve and improve access to valuable local historical resources. Stay tuned for further updates, including news on how and when the 1926 Census will be accessible to the public.

Address

Union Hall Place
Derry
BT486LU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

028 71 372411

Website

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