The Derry Peace Bridge

One of the most visited and stunning sights to see in Derry is the Peace Bridge across the River Foyle. This 235-meter piece of art is not only a functional bridge connecting Ebrington Square to Derry, but is also a powerful symbol of peace, healing, and cooperation in a long conflict. The bridge was designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects in London and the £14 million project was funded by the Regional Development Fund for Peace (http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/derry-peace-bridge.html). The bridge opened in 2011 and is designed to look like two arms from opposite sides reaching out towards each other in a sign of peace. This is to symbolize the coming together of the primarily Protestant Waterside and the primarily Catholic Bogside. The conflict between the sides is one that is deep and personal for Derry residents and while it seems like a historical conflict from an outside perspective, is truly relevant and real for those living in Derry and Northern Ireland today.

Symbols like the Derry Peace Bridge are important in the illustration of the work the residents are doing to bring peace to their community. The Derry Peace Bridge has quickly become a large part of Derry’s architectural identity, and images of the bridge can be found all over town, like in the postcards shown in this post. Something almost every person in Derry can agree on is the beauty and performance of the bridge. While this bridge has become a symbol in the peace-building community, it is also a functional piece of the city that is widely used and rarely empty. On one side of the bridge is the Guild Hall and on the other is the refurbished Ebrington Square. Formerly used as army barracks, the square is now used for art and music events and features a local craft brewery (https://www.walledcitybrewery.com/).  

While there is still a lot of work to be done in the Derry community regarding conflict resolution and peace building, there is hope in the residents shown through art and architecture like the Derry Peace Bridge. I, for one, am in awe of the rich history and important work done here in the resilient city of Derry.

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