Museum of Free Derry
Museum of Free Derry
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 3:30 PM
About
The award-winning Museum of Free Derry recently re-opened its doors in the Bogside following an extensive redevelopment and offers a full multi-media exhibition on the civil rights and early conflict era in the city, including Battle of the Bogside, Internment, Bloody Sunday and Operation Motorman. The museum was established by the Bloody Sunday Trust in 2006 to tell the story of the civil rights movement and the creation of Free Derry in the 1960s and 1970s, and it has become an important part of Ireland’s radical and civil rights heritage. It tells the story of how a largely working class community rose up against the years of oppression it had endured. The struggle of Free Derry is part of a wider struggle in Ireland and internationally for freedom and equality for all. In 2018, the Museum of Free Derry was named Authentic NI Experience of the Year at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards in Belfast. Admission Price (as of Nov 2019) Adults - £7 Student/Conc - £5 and Groups 10+ - £4.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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- Alice M3 contributionsBest Museum and Tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland.I highly recommend to everyone visiting Derry to stop by this museum, as it is really worth a visit. Also, we did a Derry Tour with John, who is the BEST guide ever. He explained us all about the Troubles, the opression of the Irish people and everything about this difficult conflict in such an undersatndable way. He lived the conflict and knows everything about the Troubles and Derry, and kindly answered all of our questions. Thank you! We will definitely come back to Derry!!Visited December 2022Written December 11, 2022
- Samuel DSt. Andrews, United Kingdom12 contributionsA Moving ExperienceAs a student currently studying the conflict in Northern Ireland, I just had to come to Free Derry. Walking in the footsteps of the Civil Rights demonstrators was a moving experience. The museum curates the history and the artefacts associated with this bloody and defining chapter of Northern Irish history. I was expecting the experience to be highly one-sided, but the museum's portrayal of events was balanced - I was impressed by that.Visited March 2023Written March 6, 2023
- Mariana J9 contributionsInspiringThe amount of detailed information and care into displaying them shows just how much dedication has been put into making the museum an informative, moving, and inspiring experience. It is definetly worth the fee - my bookworm self was very happy to see there were books to sell, too. In at all, a must go for all of us interested (and to those who ought to be!) in justice and civil rights movements worldwide.Visited April 2023Traveled with friendsWritten April 10, 2023
- Daphne MCardiff, United Kingdom203 contributionsA ‘MUST DO’ VISIT!Having grown up in the UK during the troubles I had little notion of what really happened in Northern Ireland. This museum opened my eyes to the brutality of what unfolded for the people of Derry and the strength and courage of the families affected The exhibits are well curated and the interactive media is powerful and moving. It is a highly emotional experience but absolutely worth it. The staff are friendly and welcoming and on hand to offer help if needed. An excellent and thought provoking experience.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 12, 2023
- Sarah MBoston, Massachusetts40 contributionsHighlight of our tripAbsolutely brilliant, one of the highlights of our trip and a must-see during any visit to Derry. It was exceptionally powerful and moving, beautifully curated with a mix of historical artifacts and multimedia. The staff we met were warm, welcoming, and extremely knowledgeable.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 23, 2023
- MonkeyManiaTrenton, Michigan79 contributionsBeautifully presented account of the Irish conflict in Northern IrelandThe history of the Civil Rights activities and the context of “The Troubles” in the North of Ireland (including “Bloody Sunday”) are presented beautifully in this memorial exhibit. Obtaining Peace is a process. As an important aspect of The Good Friday Agreement is recognizing each individual’s right to identity & each perspective’s validity, this Museum serves as an authentic representation of the Irish Catholic/Nationalist struggle in Derry. Paired with a guided tour by a local taxi driver brings the experience to life! So much has happened in the 51 years since Bloody Sunday & the 25 years since The Good Friday Agreement that needs to be remembered, honored, respected & never forgotten.Visited June 2023Traveled with friendsWritten June 2, 2023
- JerseyRiansDevon, United Kingdom52 contributionsDon't visit Derry and not visit this museum.The museum is an extremely well thought out collection of artefacts, audio and film, all designed to explain what happened during the struggle for civil rights in Derry and on Bloody Sunday in particular. It tries to be as objective as possible and certainly succeeds. The staff are all friendly and helpful, especially the man who talked to us before we went into the museum itself. Derry is a really interesting city to visit and the museum is outstanding and shouldn't be missed.Visited June 2023Written June 25, 2023
- Daniel S11 contributionsFascinating and moving experienceA really beautifully thought-out museum, deeply moving and thought provoking, we as a family learnt so much. I really felt I had to read everything on every exhibit, as I didn't want to miss anything. Great balance between telling the story and allowing you to form your own impression through the power of the exhibits and videos. Well worth a visit for anyone who wants to better understand the history of the city and country.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 4, 2023
- timonntourChesapeake, Virginia512 contributionsPerfect place to learn more about the troublesMuseum is very well done as it walks you through the history of Derry and the events that produced Bloody Sunday. Well worth making time to visit if you want to learn about Bloody Sunday and the impact it has on present day Derry. A true treasure for the city of DerryVisited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 12, 2023
- Danks KnowsShoalhaven, Australia2,059 contributionsInsightful museum experienceThe Museum of Free Derry is in Bogside in the city of Derry Northern Ireland. The politics of Ireland, and in particular Northern Ireland, are very complex. The museum will give you an insight into the politics and major events in Derry over the past 100 years or so. It is from the Republican point of view, but you will get a good understanding of events in ‘The Troubles’. It costs 10 pounds to enter and is well worth the visit.Visited September 2023Traveled soloWritten September 22, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
904 reviews
Excellent
684
Very good
173
Average
27
Poor
10
Terrible
10
marymock
2 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
I felt as emotionally charged leaving this museum as I had leaving the Auschwitz museum in Poland. The deaths were not on the same scale in terms of number, but the story ought to be told to the world so that it never happens again and this museum does an excellent job of doing that. I have already made plans to bring more family members to Derry to see this excellent museum. The staff were very knowledgeable and friendly and I would highly recommend a visit to this experience.
Written October 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
james c
London, UK68 contributions
Aug 2020
Prior to visiting the museum, I felt that I had a good understanding of the events of Bloody Sunday, but the museum deepened my understanding significantly. It has some artefacts which really open your eyes about the tragic event, including a letter from the paratroop regiment and a letter to the victim’s family from a loyalist organisation- both make truly horrific reading. A must do activity in Derry.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dolores M
Belfast, UK42 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This new museum is well worth a visit it is very well run and the layout is very informative. The reality of the events of bloody sunday are brought to you up close and personal. The stories are heartbreaking but need to be read.There are lots of exhibits. We did the tour on our own and took our time.Upstairs has an exhibition of the child victims of the troubles well worth a visit.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary T
5 contributions
Jan 2020
The musuem is so sad.it's not dressed up just factual things that belonged to the poor victims and brings home to you how many young the people were killed. It makes the whole story more real to see bullet holes and blood.The new exhibition open upstairs is heartbreaking . I think we need these places as written in Poland concentration camp if we don't remember our passed we could let it happen again Thank you to all the organisers
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul B
Belfast, UK74 contributions
Jul 2022
Unable to visit the museum on my last two visits due to the pandemic but third time lucky and delighted I availed of the visit. Staff were very courteous and very welcoming to you .
Very impressed with the exhibits, footage and display boards and images in chronological order, Even though as an experienced, knowledgeable and retired teacher I was still able to broaden my knowledge. 'every day is a school day"
I would highly recommend the museum to anyone or tourist who is keen to learn about key events in Irish History such as NICRA, Internment and Bloody Sunday to visit the museum as they will be well educated and not be disappointed.
Very impressed with the exhibits, footage and display boards and images in chronological order, Even though as an experienced, knowledgeable and retired teacher I was still able to broaden my knowledge. 'every day is a school day"
I would highly recommend the museum to anyone or tourist who is keen to learn about key events in Irish History such as NICRA, Internment and Bloody Sunday to visit the museum as they will be well educated and not be disappointed.
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2jandy
Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, France27 contributions
Sep 2021
This is such an important museum. Telling of such brutal and unjust and RECENT events that the staff all have a personal connection to what happened. You should not leave Derry without visiting this museum. The staff are wonderful and it is very reasonably priced (£7/adult).
Written September 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Garswood
35 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
The MOFD is an outstanding museum, covering the struggle for equal Civil Rights in Derry and Northern Ireland. It especially covers the events of Bloody Sunday, 30th January 1972, and the tragic events of that day when 14 people were shot and killed by the British Army's Parachute Regiment. It really explains the build up to that day and how things developed and the following fight for justice for the victims. The events of thay day largely happened in the streets around the museum, and literally just outside it. Its very recent history. Relatives of the victims from that day work in the museum, as do other eye witnesses from the day and they will answer questions and help convey to you what happened. The displays of personal items from the victims and things such as the Derry Civil Rights banner that was used as to cover bodies that day, really bring the history and harrowing details right to you, as do video and audio displays.
It is a wonderful museum, a really important one. Anybody visiting Derry who has any interest in the struggle for Civil Rights, as well as that awful day in 1972, and the families
fight for justice for their loved ones, should definitely visit. Its right near to Free Derry Corner and the Bloody Sunday Memorial, so you definitely should not miss this museum.
It is a wonderful museum, a really important one. Anybody visiting Derry who has any interest in the struggle for Civil Rights, as well as that awful day in 1972, and the families
fight for justice for their loved ones, should definitely visit. Its right near to Free Derry Corner and the Bloody Sunday Memorial, so you definitely should not miss this museum.
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keano1971
Carshalton, UK15 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Excellent museum detailing the tragic events of Bloody Sunday. A small museum, ideal if you have teenagers with you to focus on the key points of the Troubles. The museum is well laid out, with clear presentations. The video before you exit is very good. The museum is very close to the walls of Derry and many murals can be found very close to the museum.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mariana J
9 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
The amount of detailed information and care into displaying them shows just how much dedication has been put into making the museum an informative, moving, and inspiring experience. It is definetly worth the fee - my bookworm self was very happy to see there were books to sell, too. In at all, a must go for all of us interested (and to those who ought to be!) in justice and civil rights movements worldwide.
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul g
12 contributions
Sep 2020
This is a really compact museum, but it packs a powerful punch. Containing artefacts, photos and videos from the period of civil rights marches in 1968, leading up to the Bloody Sunday killings in 1972, and finishing with the final vindication of those who were killed on that day. It’s not for the faint hearted, some of the material is pretty graphic, but necessary to understand the history of Bogside within the wider context of Derry as a city.
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bluesmama11
Castleton On Hudson, NY3,614 contributions
Hi, For those who have visited the Museum and also taken one of the local Derry walking tours, do you recommend doing the outside walk first and then the Museum, or seeing the Museum first? I was wondering if there was a preference.
Amy D
Abbeyfeale, Ireland82 contributions
I would recommend doing the museum first then walking outside. That way you would have a better understanding of the different areas etc. it’s an awesome museum. Very powerful
Duanne Aschton
Atlanta, GA228 contributions
The Derry Museum is a touching tribute to those that struggled and died for their cause. To the reviewer that took exception with Jesse Jackson opening the museum..,first, he was born in Greenville SC so calling him a "carpetbagger" is a misunderstanding of that phrase (as. a Southerner born and raised I would know), also, he has done an enourmous amount of work on behalf of civil rights so I'm pretty sure he's qualified tod open a civil rights museum.
Thank you for giving the World an opportunity to see an unvarnished truth through your eyes, artifacts and experience.
Duanne Aschton
Atlanta, GA228 contributions
Here's a novel idea...check out their website. There is a link on their TripAdvisor page. There is a ton of info on their ACTUAL website. It's neat how that works.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm (All year),
Sat 1.00pm - 4.00pm (All year),
Sun 1.00pm - 4.00pm (July - Sept)
Escape_From_SF
Oakland, CA42 contributions
Does the newly renovated museum have a cafe and gift shop--even just a little corner or something? Does it rent out rooms for use (lectures, etc.) I can't seem to find anything from the website.
Hello, our apologies for not seeing this question sooner.
We do stock a small array of Free Derry-inspired merchandise and a wide variety of books related to the conflict and civil rights within the museum's reception.
We also have a conference/reflective space upstairs which is available to visiting groups and can be hired for events, launches, discussions, etc. Hope this helps.
Thanks so much for supporting the work of the museum - we really appreciate it.
Julieann
(Museum of Free Derry)
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Museum of Free Derry Information
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