Format

Introduction: Hosted by the URC a Battlefield Study / guided tour of the siege of Derry will take place on Saturday 15th April 2023 from 0900hrs to 1830hrs.

In addition, during the tour there will be presentations and talks on the interesting role Londonderry/Derry played during WW2 / the Battle of the Atlantic.

Transport: Departing by coach 0915hrs from outside the URC. Events and travel timings are reasonably generous to include: question and answer, refreshment and comfort breaks etc.

During the journey to Londonderry/Derry our tour guide, Colonel (Ret’d) Don Bigger (military historian) will explain the background to the political setting in Britain/Europe leading to the conflict: siege of Derry and the Williamite Wars.

An information booklet will be available for each guest.

• 0900hrs - 0915hrs

Assemble outside the URC - coach waiting in Royal Avenue

Depart URC No later than 0915hrs

• 0930hrs - 1130hrs

Travel to Londonderry to include a coffee stop at Toome Service Station.

(Note: there are no toilet facilities on the coach)

• 1130hrs - 1400hrs
• The Siege of Derry

Tour of the city walls to include a private tour / visit to St Columb's Cathedral.

• 1400hrs - 1500hrs
• Luncheon at Foyle College

Light lunch overlooking the river Foyle in the splendid setting of the Governors' Suite at Foyle College.

Presentation on the U-Boat surrender to include news reel clips.

• 1500hrs - 1600hrs
• Culmore Point

The capture of Culmore Fort during the siege, April 1689.

The breaking of the boom on 28th July 1689

Londonderry/Derry in WW2 and the surrender of the U-Boats fleet at Lisahally.

• 1600hrs - 1700hrs
• Ebrington Barracks

HMS Ferret in WW2

Londonderry/Derry, the Battle of the Atlantic.

• 1700hrs - 1830hrs
• Return to Belfast (earlier if possible). Short stop at Toome Service Station.

Other Information

COST

Cost £40.00 pp, (non-refundable) paid directly to the club at the point of booking. This includes a light lunch and refreshments, plus entry to locations not always accessible to the public.

A minimum of 25 attending will be required to make the trip cost effective; the maximum is around 40 people.

The closing date for this event is 1200hrs Thursday 6th Apr 1600hrs

PF Shields
Tour I/C

Looking forward! To continue the progressive story of the Williamite Wars a similar Battlefield Study / visit to the Boyne is planned for Saturday 20 May 2023.