St. Columb’s Cathedral, Derry City

Built on what was formerly the site of the monastery founded by St. Columba, the cathedral was under construction from 1628-1633. It was the first Protestant Cathedral built in Britain or Ireland following the reformation. Most of the Protestant houses of worship at the time were converted Catholic institutions. ST. Columb’s original set of bells is perhaps the oldest in the entire country.

St. Columb’s Cathedral contains numerous relics of the Siege of 1688-89, including a 270 lb. mortar ball that was fired over the city wall at the beginning of the siege, offering terms of surrender to the people of Derry from King James II himself. The reply was a resounding cry of “no surrender”, which has endured into modern times as a popular Protestant battle cry.

The church was built in Planter’s Gothic style, and its spire is visible throughout the city. The current spire is the church’s third – the previous two were struck by lightning and melted into metal for ammunition during the siege, respectively.

The exterior of the building is fortress-like, with thick stone walls. Inside, there are some exquisite features, such as the bishop’s chair from 1630 and a Killybegs altar carpet. The cathedral’s 214 oak pews come from native Derry wood, and they have been hand carved to make each one a unique work of art.

The Chapter House displays a collection of siege artifacts, including the locks and keys of the four main city gates, a map of Derry from 1600, and the personal Bible of George Walker, who was governor during the siege.

Stones in the adjoining graveyard lie flat, toppled during the siege to protect the graves beneath from cannonball fire.