Derry’s maritime history a highlight of Culture Night

Derry’s historic Harbour House will throw open its doors this Friday when visitors will be invited to find out more about local maritime history as part of Culture Night.

The former Port and Harbour Commissioners office (pictured) was built in 1882 and played a key role in the management of Derry’s bustling port.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, encouraged people to join in the celebration of local culture taking place across Ireland this Friday and to find out more about the city’s past.

“Culture Night provides a great opportunity for people to get out and about and to visit new venues across the city,” she explained. “Harbour House is particularly special as it captures such an important era in Derry’s history, when the port played a key role in local commerce and the daily lives of people living here in the 19th and 20th centuries.

“A whole host of cultural events will be taking place on Friday giving people the opportunity to visit new venues and enjoy new cultural experiences.”

Harbour House is just one of a number of alternative venues which will play host to a wide variety of cultural experiences on Friday night.

Continuing on the historic theme, guided tours of the Tower Museum will also be operating throughout the evening, with music by Tracey McRory, as well as tours of the Freemasons Hall and the Museum of Free Derry.

Meanwhile, the Yellow Yard will showcase an array of bug themed junk sculptures, while Ronnie Carnwath will display his exhibition of awful album covers in Connoisseurs of the Dreadful in the Abbazappa Record Shop. And children can also join in the celebrations throughout the evening with some Reading Adventures in the Verbal Arts Centre, and a Circus Worksop at In Your Space.

CultureTech will be in full swing with a packed programme of Teccie treats taking place throughout the city over the weekend including Maker City in the Craft Village and Foyleside and #Musicconnect in Cafe Soul and the Guildhall Square.