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Dr Breandán Mac Suibhne, of Centenary University, New Jersey  will be delivering the 2016 Walls400 History Lecture  on Friday 16th September. Dr Mac Suibhne is an historian of society and culture in modern Ireland, with a particular interest in the history of north-west Ulster and is well placed to speak on the connected history of ‘The Maiden City and the City of Brotherly Love: Derry and Philadelphia’.The Walls400 History Lecture will take place in the historic surroundings of  St Columb’s Cathedral from 8pm to 9pm. It will be preceded by an historical vignette and followed by short soirée in the Verbal Arts Centre from 9pm until 10pm. Full details on the events page.

The Friends of the Derry Walls have welcomed the news that both James Nesbitt and Derry’s historic Walls have been named as Northern Ireland’s ‘National Treasures,’ following an online poll to celebrate 20 years of the National Lottery.

Speaking on behalf of the Friends, Coordinator, Mark Lusby thanked the public in Derry, across Northern Ireland and from around the world who voted for the Derry Walls: “It is always a
struggle to convince public agencies that the Derry Walls need investment on a scale similar to that being invested in heritage and cultural tourism attractions in other areas of Northern Ireland so this popular vote is especially welcome. The Derry Walls can make a much greater contribution to the economic and social well-being of Derry if we all had higher expectations for their protection and development than is currently the case. The association of a personality as James Nesbitt with the Derry Walls is also a welcome boost to the brand image of the Walls and the Friends would like to see this relationship continue into the future.”

James Nesbitt beat off world number one golfer Rory McIlroy in a public vote to be named NI’s favourite famous face.  The Maiden City’s 400-year-old walls were named NI’s most iconic place ahead of the Giant’s Causeway and the Ulster Museum in Belfast in a survey which asked the general public to choose from a range of venues which had received National Lottery funding.