THE WHISPERS OF THE WALLS

27 ECHOES

Location: Londonderry, Derry City and Strabane, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

This interactive audio walk guides you through the famous streets of Derry, driven by the voices of those who witnessed history. On a tour like none other, hear these exclusive retellings as they Whisper Through the Walls.

This walk has no distinct path- users are encouraged to explore as far as they wish.

CONTENT WARNING: This walk contains graphic retellings regarding topics including murder, sectarianism and other violent acts. Please be aware that some echoes may also contain strong Language within their retellings

Rossville Flats

Declan tells us his memories of the now demolished Rossville Flat. Once affectionately nicknamed Derry's "Rubik Cube" , the flats became the epicentre of violence in the city by the late 1980s.

1 sound

Bloody Sunday Memorial

Placed where the first victim was fatally shot, this memorial pays tribute to the thirteen innocent civilians unlawfully murdered by paratroopers on the 3oth of January 1972. Billy tells us his perspective of the day.

1 sound

St Eugenes Cathedral

At the largest and oldest Cathedral in Derry, Don explains the power in which the Catholic Church had over the residents, and how from an early age these sentiments shaped his beliefs.

1 sound

Lisfannon park

Explore where Shauna grew up, as she retells some of her most prominent memories of witnessing rioting in her childhood.

1 sound

Let's Cross

As we cross as this roundabout, Shauna tells us of behaviours she learned as a result of British occupation.

1 sound

Intergenerational trauma

Standing in one of the many spots in which Violence occurred on Bloody Sunday- Shauna explains how that day affected her childhood- regardless of the fact she was only nine days old when the tragedy occurred.

1 sound

Education and No-go Zones

Don details his experience of secondary school education and the mistreated he and many offers suffered, Whilst also emphasising the importance of literacy within the Republican movement.

1 sound

Taxis

Here at the Taxi Rank we learn about how cross community "relations" were hard to manage.

1 sound

Civil Right Marches

Here at the NICRA wall memorial, Billy explains the crucial role that the movement had during the beginning of the conflict.

1 sound

Rubber and Plastic Bullets

The youngest victim of these despicable weapons, Stephen McConway was only twelve when a Plastic bullet took his life. Billy details that day and his desperate attempts to save him.

1 sound

A Near Miss

In this very spot, life was spared. As a soldier decided against shooting a young Billy, he reflects on how others were not so lucky.

1 sound

The City Walls

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Navigating through Sound

Growing up in times of conflict allowed the city's residents to develop some unusual skills, Declan tells us more...

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Introducing Declan

Get to know our youngest whisperer.

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Introducing Billy

Being our oldest whisperer, Billy is able to provide a detailed and thorough timeline of the conflict from start to finish.

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Introducing Shauna

Being a young woman, just trying to live out her early adulthood- Shauna details how the Troubles made independence something that could only be longed for.

1 sound

Introducing Don

Former PIRA/INLA member Don Brown describes some of his darkest moments and most fascinating observations of the time period.

1 sound

Free Derry Corner

We're at the iconic Corner. The wall frequently changes design in support of different causes, often ones similar to the fight of Derry's Catholics- take a look around and see what history is being made on our wall today.

1 sound

Start

Welcome to the Whispers of the Walls! Begin your very own historical journey here.

1 sound

Spectating Violence

Being one of her normal childhood routines, Shauna explains why as a young child she would often watch riots.

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Shauna's Walk to the Bus

With a great night out only a few feet away, there is only one thing standing in her path.

1 sound

Kelly's in Portush

The famously sweaty rave venue hosted countless big names- but did you also know it brought communities of young people together?

1 sound

Get Back From that Window!

Living in the centre of the Bogside's battleground, its easy to understand why children were curious to watch from windows.

1 sound

Football

A simple childhood kickabout- it should be that simple shouldn't it?

1 sound

The B Specials and UDR

Billy explains the changing dynamics between unionist paramilitary groups and the effects this had on the Catholic Population.

1 sound

Order in the Court!

Billy described the unfair persecutions that defined Northern Ireland's Justice system.

1 sound

(The) Troubles at Home

Declan describes how the effects of the conflict were felt within his home.

1 sound

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Georgios Varoutsos

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