‘You are now entering Free Derry’.

It’s quite possibly the most photographed gable wall in Ireland; and a visit to the city isn’t complete without a trip to the Bogside area to see the Free Derry Corner in all its glory.

‘You are now entering Free Derry’.

It’s quite possibly the most photographed gable wall in Ireland; and a visit to the city isn’t complete without a trip to the Bogside area to see the Free Derry Corner in all its glory.

It was in 1969 that it first came about. The words ‘You are now entering Free Derry’ were scrawled across the house’s gable end and have been there ever since!

The name ‘Free Derry’ was given to the area of the Bogside, Creggan and Brandywell that were barricaded off from the security forces between August 1969 and July 1972. The barriers were removed during ‘Operation Motorman’ on July 30, 1972.

The words were those of author and politician Eamon McCann, they were adapted from a similar slogan used by students involved in the Free speech movement at the University of California in Berkeley.

Today, the same type of black lettering on the white background – professionally repainted by John ‘Caker’ Casey – is instantly recognisable. The famous Free Derry Corner has become a focal point for campaigns of the present and future. Most recently, the Free Derry Corner paid homage to the NHS and keyworkers who have been on the frontline against the battle against Covid 19.

Free Derry Corner, image courtesy of LMK Photography

The image (above) of Free Derry Corner during COVID 19 is courtesy of LMK Photography.