The History of Derry Rings are a small but well encompassed part of the Derry culture and history. It started out with eight different symbols on it, all with the intention of remembering the history and being able to carry it with you. As time went on, more symbols were added to the ring to continue showing the expanding history of Derry (especially because many of the new symbols are symbols of peace). The rings itself are made by a local Derry jeweler and historian that collaborated, with the release of the ring in 2004. Since then, people have used the rings as memorabilia, for wedding bands, or to remember the history and to carry it with them (https://www.derryjournal.com/news/the-historic-theme-with-a-modern-touch-at-danny-cooley-s-1-6138481).
The eight original symbols were; the oak leaf, Roaring Meg, one of Derry’s city gates, a harp, a submarine, St. Columba, a sailing ship, and the Free Derry Wall. This was to tell the history from origins of Derry and the Oak Grove, to The Siege of Derry, all the way up to the end of the Troubles and the Good Friday Agreement in the Free Derry Wall symbolizing a new Derry and a new start (https://www.derryjournal.com/news/the-historic-theme-with-a-modern-touch-at-danny-cooley-s-1-6138481).
These original symbols, and the new symbols they have added after can be seen all around Derry. The walls of Derry are still very strong, and have many gates that you can enter through. The oak leaves can be seen on the sidewalks and on the trees around the cathedral that sits atop the highest hill. This ring is truly a circle of the history of Derry, and for a city with people that have lived through the history, and continue to remember in whatever form that looks like, this ring symbolizes their culture, their struggle, and the perseverance of Derry and its people.
SOCI 387 Diversity, Conflict, and Peace in Northern Ireland 