Bogside

Bogside is a district of the city of Derry, Northern Ireland, located on the west bank of the River Foyle and adjacent to the city center. It is a large, predominantly working-class area with a long-standing association with the nationalist and Catholic community.

During The Troubles, Bogside became a focal point for civil rights protests and community activism. The late 1960s saw an escalation of tensions between residents, police, and the state, culminating in the Battle of the Bogside in August 1969, a three-day clash that drew international attention to the conflict. On January 30, 1972, British soldiers shot and killed 14 unarmed civilians during a civil rights march on Rossville Street in Bogside, an event known as Bloody Sunday. These incidents contributed to radicalization and shifts in political support in Northern Ireland.

The area is renowned for its murals, created by local artists, and for the Bogside Artists collective, whose large-scale wall paintings address themes of civil rights, history, and identity. The Free Derry Corner, a landmark within Bogside, bears the famous inscription You Are Now Entering Free Derry and is a focal point for remembrance and reflection on the Troubles.

In the post-Good Friday Agreement era, Bogside has undergone regeneration efforts, including housing improvement projects and cultural initiatives. Attractions such as the Free Derry Museum highlight the district’s history and its role in the peace process. Today, Bogside is frequently visited for its historical significance, artistic heritage, and as a symbol of resilience in the city of Derry.