Derry bids a fond farewell to thirty years of heritage at the Tower Museum

The Tower Museum team is inviting the public to join them on Sunday, April 26 for a special day of celebration marking the closure of the much-loved Story of Derry exhibition.

For over 30 years the exhibition has connected visitors with the city’s rich and complex past, and this milestone event will offer one final opportunity to follow the fascinating journey from early settlement times.

While the exhibition at the Tower Museum may be closing its doors its legacy will live on in the galleries of the new DNA Museum, currently under development at Ebrington Square. Work on the landmark DNA Museum project – the first of Derry and Strabane’s major City Deal projects - is progressing well, with completion expected in summer 2027.

The popular Derry Girls Experience will remain open at the Tower Museum for the foreseeable future with exciting plans underway for its expansion into a wider trail experience for visitors.

Sunday’s event will bring the community together for a fun celebration with music, activities and performance as the Makey Uppers bring some colourful characters from Derry’s past to life.

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Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Councillor Ruairi McHugh, encouraged the public to attend the event, saying: “The Tower Museum has been at the heart of our city’s cultural life for more than three decades. The Story of Derry exhibition has helped us understand who we are and where we’ve come from. I would encourage everyone to come along and celebrate its remarkable legacy and to look ahead to the new DNA Museum, which will use new and innovative ways to tell our story for generations to come.”

Museum Service Manager Margaret Edwards said the day will be both a celebration and a moment of reflection. “This exhibition has meant so much to so many people, over the years, and while it’s the end of an era for the Tower Museum as we know it, it’s also the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone on the 26th to share memories, enjoy the festivities and celebrate everything we’ve achieved together.”

The event will run at the Tower Museum on Sunday, April 26, from 10.00am – 5.00pm, admission is free and everyone is welcome.