Now, back into town, to the Guildhall. Rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1912, its rich carvings and stained glass tell the story of the city. Look high on the front façade and see the Arms of the city on one side,- a skeleton with a tower, representing Derry, under the Arms of the City of London,- and on the other side, and parallel, see the Arms of' the Honourable the Irish Society' who were responsible for rebuilding the settlement in the Plantation of Ulster (early Seventeenth Century). They were also the source of funds for the 1912 rebuilding of the Guildhall.
The origin of the skeleton and tower is not known, but some have suggested a link to the Norman castle of Northburg up river. More about this later. The Guildhall was also blown up in 1972 during the Troubles. It was painstakingly restored between 1975 and '78 because of its artistic and cultural importance.
The origin of the skeleton and tower is not known, but some have suggested a link to the Norman castle of Northburg up river. More about this later. The Guildhall was also blown up in 1972 during the Troubles. It was painstakingly restored between 1975 and '78 because of its artistic and cultural importance.
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