Blog (Press Release) - Visit Derry

The 8th International Flann O’Brien Conference is set to bring a vibrant gathering of scholars and enthusiasts of Flann O Brien’s work to Strabane’s Alley Theatre from June 25th to 27th, 2025.

Strabane was buzzing with excitement this past weekend as over 25,000 people flocked to the town centre for the much-anticipated return of Summer Jamm 2025. The event delivered a spectacular line-up of family-friendly activities, live performances, and vibrant displays.

Strabane is set to come alive this Saturday, June 7th, as the Summer Jamm Festival transforms the town into a vibrant hub of family fun and local talent. Running from 12pm until late, the festival offers a diverse lineup of attractions and events for all ages.

Frieldays - A Homecoming 2025-2029

Donegal~Tyrone~Derry: Here We Come! 

Epic five-year Brian Friel Centenary celebration begins this August with 35 performances of five plays over five weeks, capped by a special double Golden Anniversary event for Friel and Seamus Heaney.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, has welcomed the launch of the prestigious All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships which will take place in Ebrington Square on 5th July.

Gary Lightbody, lead singer and guitarist with rock band Snow Patrol will be joining us here at Seamus Heaney HomePlace on 21st August 2025.

Foyle Port welcomed its first cruise ship of the 2025 season yesterday, Sunday 11th May, as the state-of-the-art expedition vessel World Explorer arrived at Lisahally. Her visit marks the start of what is set to be a positive and exciting cruise season for the region.

The Tower Museum’s famous Armada Shipwreck collection is on the move, as National Museums NI commences restoration work on the key artefacts before they make the transition to their new home in the state-of-the-art new DNA (Derry~Londonderry on the North Atlantic) Museum in Ebrington Square.

The ‘City of Song’ certainly lived up to its name at the weekend as tens of thousands soaked up the sunshine and the sounds at the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival.

One of the most significant moments in world history will be commemorated in Derry next month with a special event to mark 80 years since the surrender of the Battle of the Atlantic, and the end of a fierce struggle to protect vital shipping lines that claimed over 100,000 lives during World War II.

Warm up those Jazz Hands, the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival kicks off this Thursday. Festival Co-ordinator with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Aisling McCallion, joined Kyron Bourke and Linley Hamilton ahead of their production of the fabulous ‘No Citation’ being staged on the opening night of the festival in the Playhouse. The Festival will run from Thursday May 1st – Monday May 5^th with over 400 performances in venues across the city.

The Summer Programme offers a range of world class music, literature and film events including an appearance by one of the UK's most loved comedians, Frank Skinner, and one of the first performances of Charlotte McCurry's new play, Julie.