The name of the city
and county of Derry or Londonderry is the subject of a
naming dispute between
nationalists (mostly
Roman Catholic) and
unionists (most
of whom are Protestant). Generally, although not always,
one will find nationalists calling the city and county
Derry, and unionists referring to it as Londonderry. Often,
some unionists will use the name, "Derry," out
of convenience. On the other hand, it would be extremely
rare to find a nationalist refer to the city as "Londonderry" in
day-to-day dialogue. The name was changed from Derry to
Londonderry in 1613 during the Plantation of Ulster to
reflect the establishment of the city by the London guilds.
However, most Irish people, at home and abroad, still prefer "Derry," so
the proper name of the city and county remain a matter
of dispute.
The most visible
sign of this dispute
to the visitor is
in the road signage;
those pointing to
the town from the
Republic refer to
it as Derry, whilst
across the border
it is written as
Londonderry. It is
not uncommon to see
vandalised road signs—the "London" part
of the name spray
painted over on "Londonderry" road
signs by nationalists
(and often amended
by unionists), or
occasionally "London" added
to "Derry" signs
by unionists. Bizarrely,
in what would seem
to be an anti-nationalist
statement from unionists,
some sign-posts even
have the "Derry" sprayed
over, so that all
that is left is the
word, "London." This
vandalism is more
common the closer
one gets to the city.
The debate became
particularly politicised
at the outset of
the Troubles, with
the mention of either
name used to associate
with one of Northern
Ireland's two main
communities. Unionists,
who would have used
the shorter name
out of convenience,
began using "Derry" less
and "Londonderry" more
frequently in order
to make a political
point. Unionist politicians,
especially, would
rarely, if ever,
let themselves be
heard referring to
the city as "Derry."
Unlike the town,
historically there
was not a preceding
County Derry: it
was established in
1613 by combining
the former County
of Coleraine with
small parts of Counties
Antrim, Donegal,
and Tyrone at the
behest of the London
livery companies
and the Irish Society
(hence, London-Derry)
so that they could
control both banks
of the mouths of
the River Foyle and
the River Bann and
have access to sufficient
wood for construction.
The county town was
Coleraine.
Since 1973, administration
has been divided between
district councils.
The councils covering
the county are Coleraine
Borough Council, Derry
City Council, Limavady
Borough Council, and
Magherafelt District
Council; and part of
Cookstown District
Council, which is largely
in County Tyrone.
