Derry gets second 'walled city'

Published Tuesday, 07 February 2012
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It isn't often a new square opens up right in the middle of a city, but Londonderry is about to get a huge new public space.

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At the former Ebrington army base, historians have unearthed a surprising secret that will become Derry's second 'walled city'.

A set of fortifications from the Victorian era known as The Star Fort have been discovered.

Once opened up, the former military site looks set to provide a major new public space right in the heart of the city.

Caoimhín Corrigan from the project said: "This is really an expansion of the city centre and we see this as an expansion of the heart of Derry city.

"The site we're on now is a wee bit bigger than Trafalgar Square. It'll also be a major events space."

Some impressive pieces of military hardware - including cannons from the Victorian era - were also found during excavation.

One was more than 20 feet long and weighs almost 20 tonnes.

Meanwhile it is hoped the new site will open on St Valentine's Day - a day when the city is being asked to fall in love with its newest public space.

© UTV News
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5 Comments
noel in derry wrote (106 days ago):
it,s amazing that utv let amoebas like londonjohn spout their bigoted rhetoric is that place in londonderry ???
henry in north belfast wrote (106 days ago):
hey john, why dont you just say into urself yes they mean londonderry without coming out with your bitter little bigot rant, welldone to derry/londonderry
Linda McLean in Londonderry wrote (106 days ago):
How wonderfull that this site is being preserved I am looking forward to seeing its completion. I hope they create some kind or shelter from the elements in the square because our weather doesn't lent itself to the great outdoors. I was also wondering if the City Council had any plans to increase security in the St Columb's Park and Browning Drive area because since the new Peace Bridge opened there has been a marked increase in Anti-social behaviour in our beautiful park.
john in londonderry wrote (106 days ago):
is that place in londonderry ???
a quiet man in Derry wrote (106 days ago):
Sure its the best wee place in all of Britain and Ireland pity its always raining but the talent is good so it is
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