Museum of Free Derry
An independent museum in the Bogside, on the site of Bloody Sunday, telling the story of the civil rights movement, Free Derry and the Troubles from the community's view.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museum of Free Derry was founded in 2007 by the Bloody Sunday Trust. It stands in Glenfada Park in the Bogside, the ground where the Bloody Sunday shootings took place in 1972, and tells the story of Derry from 1968 to 1972: the civil rights movement, the Battle of the Bogside, internment, Bloody Sunday and Operation Motorman.
The museum was redeveloped and reopened in 2017 in a contemporary building that was once a derelict housing block. It tells the story from the point of view of the community that lived through these events, using photographs, posters, film footage, letters and personal objects. It holds an archive of about 20,000 items, and the trust is developing a North West Civil Rights Archive to make these materials easier to use.
Visits are self-guided and take up to 90 minutes. The museum also hosts talks, screenings and exhibitions, and works with local guides who lead walking tours of the Bogside. It had 49,063 visitors in 2025.
Highlights
- Self-guided story of Free Derry, from civil rights marches to Bloody Sunday
- Photographs, film, posters, letters and personal objects
- Location in Glenfada Park, on the site of Bloody Sunday
- Archive of about 20,000 items
- Walking tours of the Bogside starting at the museum
Permanent exhibition
- The Free Derry story – The permanent museum narrative follows civil rights, the Battle of the Bogside, Free Derry, internment and Bloody Sunday through objects, photographs and film.
- Founded
- 2007
- Operated by
- Bloody Sunday Trust
- Visitors per year
- approx. 49,063 (2025)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £8Retired visitors, visitors with disabilities and low-wage visitors |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Free for children aged 0 to 12 with a family group; children aged 13 to 17 are covered by the family passes. |
| Seniors | £8Retired visitors. |
| Visitors with disabilities | £8Carers pay the £5 carer rate. |
| Students & apprentices | £7 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more book through the museum's enquiry form. |
| Families | £24.30Family passes with a 10% discount: 2 adults and 1 child aged 13 to 17 £24.30; with 2 children £30.60; with 3 children £36.90; with 4 children £43.20. |
| Local residents, carers and Friends of the Bloody Sunday Trust | £5 |
Booking online saves 10% on the adult price. Walk-in visitors are welcome and can buy tickets at reception. Until 21 December 2026 a Monday promotion gives local residents free entry and students half-price entry for walk-in visitors only (standard prices £5 and £7).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is on the ground floor and fully wheelchair accessible, with a passenger lift to the first floor, which has an emergency refuge point and intercom. One wheelchair can be borrowed at reception. Reception has a low counter with a hearing loop, video displays are subtitled, large high-contrast text is available, and a free app has an audio guide. Accessible toilets and baby changing are on the ground floor. The museum narrative is also available in British Sign Language, Irish Sign Language and voiceover versions.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
| Family ticket | £24.30 · Family passes with a 10% discount: 2 adults and 1 child aged 13 to 17 £24.30; with 2 children £30.60; with 3 children £36.90; with 4 children £43.20. |
- Baby changing facilities
Baby changing facilities are on the ground floor. Children aged 12 and under with a family group enter free. The museum deals with violent events, so parents should judge whether the content suits younger children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Foyle Street bus station · 10-min walk
The Foyle Street bus station (Translink Ulsterbus) is an 8 to 10 minute walk away. From Derry railway station on the Waterside it is a 25 to 30 minute walk across the Peace Bridge, and a Translink shuttle bus links the station with Foyle Street bus station.
By car
Parking available
Public parking is available in the William Street car park, and other city centre car parks are within walking distance.
The museum is in Glenfada Park, the first turn on the right off Rossville Street, about 100 yards from the roundabout. City of Derry Airport is 7 miles away.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum shop sells books by local authors and other items of local interest, and there is an online shop. No cafe or wifi is mentioned by the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours of the museum are self-guided and usually take up to 90 minutes. Printed guides and the museum narrative are available in Irish, Italian, French, Spanish, German, Catalan and Basque. Walking tours of the Bogside run by independent local guides start at or near the museum and include a reduced museum admission. Education and community groups can book through the enquiry form. |
