When was the city of Londonderry renamed ‘Derry’?
According to the Bristol Airport departure board Ryanair flight FR8206 will depart at 14.55 for ‘Derry’.
I know Londonderry went through a phase of being called ‘Slash City’ because the local print media referred to it as ‘Londonderry/Derry’.
The reason for this double-naming is due to the Republican/Loyalist divide. The Republicans are all anti the word ‘London’ appearing in a placename – even in Norn Ireland (Northern Ireland), but the Loyalists want to see the name retained.
So for a decade or so Londonderry was called ‘Slash City’ – a kind of ‘third way’ in the naming convention department.
But when did it get formally changed to ‘Derry’ as Bristol Airport seem to be telling us the place is now called?
Or perhaps it didn’t get changed, perhaps it’s just another little idiosyncrasy that is Bristol Airport?
Hmm…
B.
Hi Brennig
I am so jealous of you trip to Rome! I am currently watching Rome on DVD and have developed a minor obsession with all things Roman!
SG
Enjoy your trip mate and please spoil us with a bit of pictures from there 🙂
Hope you have a fab trip. I’ll enjoy reading your report & wish I was there for myself.
As far as my Irish friends go, the Protestant ones call it Londonderry & the Catholic ones call it Derry. I think the fact that it has ‘London’ in the name is offensive to the Nationalists. Perhaps the sign writer at Bristol Airport is an Irish Nationalist?! I’m about 30 minutes away and have friends who work there, so could find out if you are really interested!
Am glad to see the flights have restarted, as I was getting fed up flying into Belfast & then having road travel to get to Londonderry!