Tower Museum

The award winning Tower Museum is located within the city’s historic walls at Union Hall Place.  Permanent exhibitions at the museum include The Story of Derry exhibition and the An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera exhibition.  However throughout the year the museum also plays host to a range of other temporary exhibitions. All the exhibitions use display and interactive techniques to present their stories to the public.

An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera exhibition

To discover more about the learning opportunities for the Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera Exhibition please go to:

http://www.derrycity.gov.uk/armada/
 

Derry city is one of the oldest inhabited settlements in Ireland and has a fascinating history. The Story of Derry exhibition at the Tower Museum uses a wide range of techniques and artefacts to narrate the story from Monastic times, the Plantation of Londonderry, the Siege of Derry, through to the growth of Derry during the 18th and 19th centuries. The city played its own part in the dramatic events of the early 20th century and during Partition.  Life during the 20th century is also outlined, in particular the build up to the Civil Rights Movement and the impact of the Troubles on the people living here. The exhibition ends with a glimpse of where the city is today.

The Story of Derry Exhibition




An Armada shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera narrates the story of La Trinidad Valencera, one of the largest ships in the Armada Fleet. In 1588 it foundered in Kinnagoe Bay in Co. Donegal during a violent storm and was discovered nearly 400 years later by divers from the City of Derry Sub Aqua Club. The exhibition tells the story of the people involved, the soldiers and sailors aboard the Trinidad Valencera and the divers and archaeologists who discovered and excavated the ship.

An array of exciting artefacts on loan from the Ulster Museum, recovered from the ship includes cannons, textiles, pottery, wooden bowls, pewter dishes, goblets, coins and shoes along with many other items. Innovative exhibition design and layout encourage a sense of exploration and discovery while audio-visual and interactive displays offer a wealth of information for student, visitor and tourist alike. Audio guides of the exhibition are available in a choice of six languages. There is also a range of education materials available - see Education section.

The exhibition is spread out over four floors and is accessible by lift or stairs. A guide to the exhibition is available in alternative formats on request, in large print, computer disk, PDF, Braille, audio-tape and minority ethnic languages.

 

 

Contact

Tower Museum   
Union Hall Place
Derry 
BT48 6LU

Telephone: 028 7137 2411
Fax: 028 7136 6018
Email: tower.reception@derrycity.gov.uk

Duty Manager    
Terence O’Kane  
Email: terence.okane@derrycity.gov.uk 
 

Opening Hours

Tuesday - Saturday 10 am to 5pm
July - September- seasonal opening hours
Please contact the Tower Museum for information
 

Admission  

Admission charges apply. Please contact the Tower Museum for details.
Admission to the Tower Museum covers entry to both exhibitions
 

Other Information

Specialist Features

• Lecture room seating seventy people for talks and lectures
• Education tours covering a range of educational activities and services
• Education Room seating 30 people for specialist lessons and lectures
• Travelling Exhibitions and temporary exhibits are a specialist feature of the Museum

Facilities

• City centre location adjacent to the Guildhall and within the historic city walls
• Disabled access to the building
• Toilet facilities
• Access to the City Walls
• City Centre drop off and pick-up point for coaches leaves visitors a short two minute walk from the Museum
• Close to city centre car parking