Historical graffiti on Derry's Walls identified

The graffiti has been confirmed by experts as being the cap badge of the Dorsetshire Regiment. The Dorsetshire Regiment was present in the city during the Irish War of Independence ( Anglo-Irish War) 1919-21 and, in particular, was involved in the violence which erupted on the streets of Derry, involving IRA, UVF and RIC, during the summer of 1920.

Mark Lusby, from the Walls 400 project, explained: “The distinctive sphinx on top of a laurel wreath of the Dorsetshire Regiment was pointed out by Dr Gavin Hughes of the Irish Conflict Archaeology Centre at Trinity College.

Local military historian, Richard Doherty, confirmed the presence of the regiment in the city and also that Bishop Street Without was the scene of much of the violence which occurred in 1920.”

The 400 year history of the Derry Walls will be discussed in detail in a lecture to be delivered by Mark Lusby this Thursday at 7.00 p.m. in the Siege Museum. The lecture is free but places should be booked through the Siege Museum on 028 7126 1219 or by email to [email protected]