Historic county of Ireland
Derry / Londonderry
Doire
Province: Ulster
Foyle west, Bann east, Sperrins rising south.
Derry / Londonderry occupies the north coast between two great river systems. The Foyle shapes the western side and opens into Lough Foyle; the Bann organises the eastern side before reaching the Atlantic.
Between them lie the Roe valley, broad agricultural country and, further south, the rising ground of the Sperrins. In the south-east the county reaches towards Lough Neagh. Two river systems, a northern sea coast and a southern mountain edge therefore give the county a remarkably clear frame.
- Ancient kingdom of Aileach
- Created as County Londonderry from Coleraine and parts of Tyrone, Antrim , Donegal
- Derry City walls built (1613)
- Area: 816 sq miles / 2,113 km²
- Population: 247,971
- County top: Sawel Mountain 2,224 ft / 678 m
County geography
Current Census
Contemporary Census profile
Northern Ireland Census 2021. Detailed contemporary statistics are available in the Geographic County Census Explorer.
- Population density
- 312.5 people per sq mi (120.64 people per km²)
- Population
- 254,961
Between Foyle and Bann
The Foyle and Bann are much more than outer geographical lines.
Their valleys and estuaries have organised settlement, movement and trade on opposite sides of the county, while smaller river systems connect the interior with them.
Coast and Sperrins
The north opens towards the Atlantic through broad lower country and river mouths.
Southwards the county rises into the Sperrins, producing a sharp contrast between coastal plain and mountain landscape.
A county with two established names
The naming history deserves explanation without pretending that two different counties are involved.
Derry is the older place-name. In 1613 a new county was constituted as County Londonderry, incorporating the earlier County Coleraine together with additional territory. Both Derry and Londonderry subsequently became established usages.
County questions
Questions about Derry / Londonderry
Why does RealCounties use both names?
To acknowledge the established naming history without suggesting that Derry and Londonderry are different geographic counties.
What happened to County Coleraine?
The earlier County Coleraine was incorporated into the new County Londonderry in 1613 together with additional territory. Its former extent should not simply be equated with that of the later county.
County record
Names and continuity
- Formal name
- County Derry / Londonderry
- Local name
- Doire
- Province
- Ulster
- Foundation
- 1613
Derry / Londonderry is one of the nine geographic counties of Ulster. Whatever name is preferred in ordinary usage, the geographical subject is the same county.