A guided tour of Derry’s City Cemetery is to identify some interesting facts about those buried in the graveyard.
Genealogist Brian Mitchell will also explore the community burial plot during the tour being held on Saturday and Sunday, 10 and 11 September.
The tour is being organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council as part of this year’s European Open Days.
The tour is arranged as one of a number of activities that will be taking place throughout the council district.
It will include information on up to 40 burial places including that of those killed during a German Air Raid on Derry on Easter Tuesday in 1941, a lone German bomber who dropped several parachute mines in the vicinity of Messines Park completely demolishing two houses, the Bloody Sunday victims, the Commonwealth War Dead, the ‘Father of American music’ Stephen Collins Foster, Cecil Frances Alexander, writer of the hymn ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ and many more.
Brian Mitchell, Council’s Genealogist commented: ”The City Cemetery contains so much historical information. Central to the quest of most people attempting to trace their roots is the search for a burial plot marked with or without a headstone.
“The cemetery was opened to the public in 1853 as a main burial place for everyone including wealthy and poor Protestants and Catholics, industrialists, merchants, mayors of the city, architects, surgeons, artists, tradesmen, labourers and paupers. Since then it has survived through three historical periods, the Victorian, Edwardian and late-20th century which I will discuss during the tour and can be found reflected in the cemeteries architectural designs.
“The tour is designed to accommodate everyone and will proceed at a gentle pace to ensure participants can enjoy the spectacular views of the city.
"This is an opportunity to learn more about our citizens and visitors to the city who are buried there while learning of the often troubled but fascinating stories from the city.”
The City Cemetery tour will last approximately two hours and will depart from the Lone Moor Road entrance of the cemetery on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September at 2.00pm.
For further details, special requirements or to a place on the tour contactgeneaology@derrystrabane.com
.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 07825 711978. Or you can email john.gill@derrynews.net at any time.
