Tower Museum

Get ready to unleash your inner artist because tomorrow, Saturday 16th May, is National Drawing Day! We’re celebrating with The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep, a free outdoor trail featuring life-size masterpieces by icons like Van Gogh and Renoir. Designed to spark creativity and curiosity, this trail invites you to pick up a pencil and see art in a whole new way. Simply grab a FREE activity sheet and map from the Tower Museum or Guildhall or download one at /art-on-your-doorstep/ and start your adventure! Trail sites include: • Tower Museum • Acorn Farm • St Columb's Park House • Strabane Library • Newtownstewart Castle • The Diamond Castlederg #NationalDrawingDay #NationalGallery #ArtOnYourDoorstep #VisitDerry #HEREForArtsAndCulture #TowerMuseum #FamilyFun #GetCreative #ExploreLocal

Celebrate National Drawing Day on Friday 16 May by getting inspired through art, creativity and discovery with The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep 🎨✏️ National Drawing Day is all about encouraging everyone to pick up a pencil, get creative and enjoy looking at art in new ways and the Art On Your Doorstep trail is the perfect place for families to explore together. Follow the free outdoor exhibition trail, discover life-size reproductions of masterpieces from the National Gallery collection, and scan the QR codes at each artwork to uncover more about the artists, stories and details within each painting. Maybe you’ll even spot something no one else has noticed before! Featuring artworks by artists including Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Vincent van Gogh, the trail has been designed to spark creativity, imagination and moments of joy in everyday life. Pick up a trail map from the Guildhall or Tower Museum, or download one online at /art-on-your-doorstep/ 📍 Trail sites include: • Tower Museum • Acorn Farm • St Columb's Park House • Strabane Library • Newtownstewart Castle • The Diamond Castlederg Outdoors and free to enjoy until 30 September 2026. #NationalDrawingDay #NationalGallery #ArtOnYourDoorstep #VisitDerry #HEREForArtsAndCulture #TowerMuseum #FamilyFun #GetCreative #ExploreLocal

Thank you to everyone who came to visit the Story of Derry here in Tower Museum today for one final time, we really appreciate your support. Rest assured the popular Derry Girls Experience is still open for visitors and this is just the next chapter in an ever evolving story about our city and its illustrious history. We look forward to seeing you all at the DNA Museum!

Are you ready for one last trip through the Story of Derry? After closing in February and ahead of its move to the new DNA Museum at Ebrington, we’re opening the doors one final time. Tomorrow, Sunday 26th April, is your last chance to explore the exhibition and experience the story of the city through the ages. Enjoy live background music, free guided tours at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm, and character actors from The MakeyUppers. Don’t miss your final chance to be part of the Story of Derry.

Are you ready for one last trip through the Story of Derry? Having closed its doors at the end of February, the Story of Derry exhibition is now preparing for its transition to the new DNA Museum at Ebrington. While an exciting new chapter lies ahead, we’re opening the doors one final time to give visitors a chance to say goodbye. The exhibition traces the story of the city across thousands of years — from the earliest Neolithic settlers along the River Foyle, through the building of the iconic 17th-century walls and the Siege of 1689, to the defining social and cultural moments of the 20th century. On Sunday 26th April, you’ll have a final opportunity to step inside, explore these stories, and experience the exhibition in all its depth before it closes for good. Whether you’re returning for one last visit or finally making the trip, this is your chance to be part of the Story of Derry one final time.

Family historians across Ireland are eagerly awaiting the release of the 1926 Census; the first to be made freely available since the 1911 census, and a major milestone for anyone researching Irish ancestry. This long-anticipated publication is expected to open up new avenues for tracing families, understanding social history, and filling in gaps left by earlier records. It’s important to note, however, that this release applies only to the 26 counties of what is now the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately, the census returns for Northern Ireland were destroyed during the war effort, meaning that equivalent records for those six counties will not be available. Meanwhile, the Tower Museum is actively working on digitising the Derry Almanacs as part of a wider archive initiative for the DNA Museum. These efforts aim to preserve and improve access to valuable local historical resources. Stay tuned for further updates, including news on how and when the 1926 Census will be accessible to the public.

Last Chance to Register! 🎟️ Panel Discussion – Reflecting on the Legacy of the Tower Museum & the Story of Derry Exhibition The final chapter of the Story of Derry has closed, and this is your last opportunity to join us for a special discussion reflecting on its impact—and exploring the exciting possibilities of the new DNA Museum. 🎤 MC: Joe Mahon Panel Members: Brian Lacey – Creator of the Tower Museum / Story of Derry exhibition Helen Quigley – Inner City Trust Odhran Dunne – Visit Derry Margaret Edwards – Derry City and Strabane District Council Museum Service 📅 Date: 29 March ⏰ Time: 3pm – 5pm 📍 Location: Guildhall 📩 RSVP now: [email protected] Seats are limited—don’t miss your chance to be part of this important conversation about our city’s past, present, and future!

Join us on 26th April at the Tower Museum as we take one last look at the Story of Derry exhibition and celebrate over 30 years of sharing the city’s stories with visitors! The exhibition may be closing, but its stories, collections, and spirit are moving on to the new DNA Museum. Come along for a day of music, memory-making, and celebration — a chance to say thanks to everyone who has visited, supported, and loved the museum over the years. What’s happening: 🎭 Makey Uppers – Meet some characters from Derry’s history. 🎶 Music – Enjoy performances throughout the day from a variety of local musicians. 📸 Capture a memory – Take a Polaroid, leave a note in our visitor book, or share your stories on video. Bring your friends and family and help us celebrate the Tower Museum’s incredible journey — admission is free!

Reminder: Panel Discussion – Reflecting on the Legacy of the Tower Museum & the Story of Derry Exhibition Now that the final chapter of the Story of Derry has closed, join us to reflect on its legacy and look ahead to the opportunities the new DNA Museum will bring. 🎤 MC: Joe Mahon Panel Members: Brian Lacey – Creator of the Tower Museum / Story of Derry exhibition Helen Quigley – Inner City Trust Odhran Dunne – Visit Derry Margaret Edwards – Derry City and Strabane District Council Museum Service 📅 Date: 29 March ⏰ Time: 3pm – 5pm 📍 Location: Guildhall 📩 RSVP: [email protected] Don’t miss this important conversation about our city’s past, present, and future. #StoryOfDerry #TowerMuseum #Guildhall #DNAMuseum #DerryHistory

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a special offer! 🍀 Take advantage of 25% off a 12-month subscription to RootsIreland, available from 4 March to 31 March 2026. Our trusted partner, RootsIreland, is offering this limited-time discount on their annual subscription, giving you access to their extensive database of Irish genealogical records — an invaluable resource for tracing your family history and exploring Irish ancestry. To avail of this special offer, visit: https://rootsireland.ie/ifhf/subscribe.php For more information, see: /genealogy/ #FamilyHistoryIreland #IrishAncestry #TracingIrishRoots #ChurchRecordsIreland #CivilRecordsIreland

Now that the final chapter has closed in the Story of Derry, it’s time to pause, reflect, and look to the future. We'd like to invite you along to our Panel Discussion: Reflecting on the Legacy of the Tower Museum & the Story of Derry Exhibition For decades, the Tower Museum and its Story of Derry exhibition have shaped how local history has been understood and presented. This special discussion will look back on its impact and explore the opportunities and possibilities the new DNA Museum will bring for the future. 🎤 MC: Joe Mahon Panel Members: • Brian Lacey – Creator of the Tower Museum / Story of Derry exhibition • Helen Quigley – Inner City Trust • Odhran Dunne – Visit Derry • Margaret Edwards – Derry City and Strabane District Council Museum Service We hope you can join us for this important conversation about our city’s past, present and future. 📅 29 March ⏰ 3pm – 5pm 📍 Guildhall 📩 RSVP: [email protected] #StoryOfDerry #TowerMuseum #Guildhall #DNAMuseum #DerryHistory

After 34 incredible years, The Story of Derry at the Tower Museum has now closed its doors. Since opening in 1992, the exhibition has told the rich, complex and inspiring story of our city, welcoming generations of visitors from near and far. It has been a place of learning, reflection, conversation and connection — and none of it would have been possible without the dedication, passion and care of our amazing staff, past and present. To every team member who helped shape and share this story, and to every visitor who walked through our doors over the years; thank you. You made The Story of Derry what it was. But this is not the end. We are excited for the next chapter as we look ahead to our move to the DNA Museum in 2027, where the story will continue in a new and dynamic way. The journey isn’t over; it’s simply evolving. And for fans of a certain hit show, the Derry Girls Experience will remain on site at the Tower Museum for the foreseeable future, so there’s still plenty to enjoy. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and updates as we share more about what’s to come next — there’s plenty still to look forward to. From 1992 until today — thank you for being part of the story. It's not goodbye; we'll see ye later!