Londonderry’s historic city walls, a centuries-old symbol of resilience and heritage, have become the most vandalised monument in Northern Ireland, according to newly released figures. Between April 2021 and April 2025, the Department for Communities recorded a staggering 193 incidents of vandalism on these iconic walls, accounting for 65% of all such incidents at historic monuments across the region during that period. The numbers, revealed in response to an assembly question from SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, have sparked concern among heritage advocates, local officials, and the thousands of visitors who flock to the city each year.
The city walls, commissioned in 1613 and built between 1614 and 1619, are more than just imposing stone fortifications. Stretching a mile in length and reaching up to 40 feet (12.2 meters) high and a similar width in places, they are Northern Ireland’s largest state monument and one of Derry’s most popular visitor attractions. According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, 577,000 people took to the mile-long walkway around the inner city in 2022 alone, underscoring the walls’ enduring appeal and importance as a cultural landmark.
But the very accessibility that draws so many to the walls also leaves them vulnerable. John Anderson, representing the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, explained to the BBC that the open nature of the site makes it “much more liable to attacks of this nature.” Anderson didn’t mince words about the broader implications of the problem. “This vandalism is the bottom of the scale of a very large problem that goes way beyond monuments,” he said. “Whether it’s graffiti on Derry’s walls or whether it’s arson on a listed building, these are criminal acts.”
Anderson pointed to a chronic lack of leadership and funding for heritage protection in Northern Ireland as key contributors to the issue. “Appreciation and value of the national asset that is built heritage, in all its forms, is in basically the cultural approach of any country, and that cultural approach needs to be led by example by the leaders of that country. Unfortunately the leadership over the decades in Northern Ireland hasn’t been there, the sector is chronically underfunded, worse now than ever it was, and coming down to the graffiti level – presumably that is mostly youngsters – it’s an easy target.”
For the many tourists who arrive in Derry each week, the scale of the vandalism is both shocking and disappointing. Geraldine Henderson from Glasgow and Patricia Mundy from Leeds, interviewed by BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme during their recent visit, didn’t hide their dismay. “It is absolutely disgraceful after all that you have been through here,” Patricia said, referring to the city’s turbulent history. “First of all it’s a pride thing and because of the heritage of Derry. It’s a place people like to come.” Geraldine echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of stewardship: “It’s important to keep them for the history… and I think we should all respect each other’s history.”
The walls are more than just a backdrop for daily life; they are a living, breathing part of the city’s identity. Janice McNeilly, another local voice, spoke to BBC Radio Foyle about the unique energy the walls bring. “People from all over the world appreciate them, we sort of get used to them, they are in the background,” she said. But she also warned, “it would be a shame to see anything happen to them.”
SDLP councillor John Boyle, a former mayor of Derry, put the figures into perspective while acknowledging the disappointment such statistics bring. “It is a huge heritage site,” Boyle told BBC Radio Ulster. “That aside, it is of significant disappointment when you hear there is such a degree of vandalism. I think we have to put these things into perspective but certainly my appeal is to respect our heritage and treat it as you would your own property.”
The walls themselves are steeped in history. Built as defences for settlers from Scotland and England by The Honourable Irish Society, who still own them, Londonderry was the last walled city to be constructed in Europe. Over the centuries, the walls have stood witness to sieges, civil unrest, and the ebb and flow of daily life. In 2013, thousands of people participated in a Mexican wave along the walls to mark 400 years since their construction—a testament to their enduring role as a focal point for community celebration and remembrance.
Yet, despite their storied past and the affection in which they are held, the walls face persistent threats. The majority of the recent vandalism incidents involve graffiti, which John Anderson suggested is “mostly youngsters” taking advantage of the walls’ easy accessibility. The acts themselves may be impulsive, but the consequences are lasting, marring a structure that has survived wars and political upheaval.
What makes the situation particularly frustrating for heritage advocates is the sense that more could be done to protect such a vital asset. Anderson’s critique of leadership and funding echoes a wider debate about the value placed on built heritage in Northern Ireland. While the Department for Communities has been asked for comment, the repeated incidents suggest that existing measures are not enough to deter would-be vandals or to repair the damage swiftly when it occurs.
For locals and visitors alike, the walls are more than a tourist attraction; they are a symbol of continuity, resilience, and shared history. As Geraldine Henderson put it, “looking after the walls was looking after the city’s heritage.” The challenge now, as articulated by officials and ordinary citizens, is finding the will and resources to safeguard that heritage for future generations.
With 577,000 annual visitors and a history that stretches back over 400 years, the city walls of Londonderry remain a remarkable testament to the city’s past and present. But as the latest figures make clear, their future depends on a renewed commitment—from leaders, communities, and individuals alike—to respect and protect what is, quite literally, the foundation of Derry’s identity.
