£35,000 Secured For Derry City Walls Initiative

Funding of £35,000 has been secured to support a programme of activities at Derry City Walls in the coming year, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced.

The funding will support the City Walls Heritage Project, organised by the Holywell Trust, to encourage the tourist interest in the Walls and to bring their unique story to life through living history events.

These include establishing a dedicated group of Walls living history performers, providing accessible information for visitors, researchers and schools; producing a detailed book on the Walls and supporting the delivery of the 2014 Walls quatercentennial event in August 2014.

"The historic Walls of Derry look better today than they ever have done in the past. Over the last decade a number of stakeholders, not least Derry City Council, have worked with my Department to keep the history and unique story of the Walls alive to both tourists and locals," Mr Durkan said.

He added: "The fruits of their labours are clear for all to see. The Walls are the largest monument in state care in the North and the seventh most visited attraction.

"Last year visitor guides in 12 different languages were produced by my department and work to maintain the structure, light it and to remove graffiti was also carried out.

"Building on that, this funding will help to further bring the walls to life in 2014."

Today's funding announcement is in addition to the significant investment already made by the Department of the Environment to support the presentation and conservation of the Walls.

(MH/JP)