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Poised right in the heart of Derry’s Cathedral Quarter and historic city walls, the Bishop’s Gate Hotel is a landmark property dating to 1899, lovingly restored to pay homage to its heritage through luxurious touches that maintain the Edwardian style of the era.

Steeped in Derry History

Due to the building’s age and prominent location, the Bishop’s Gate Hotel has lived through several key moments in Derry history.

The Northern Counties Club, primarily a gentlemen’s club, was housed here, and during the city’s civil unrest in 1921, frosted doors and ground floor windows were installed to ensure that club events were kept from the outside world. It was later used as private residences, and during the First and Second World Wars, the building provided mess facilities for Canadian and American soldiers as well as for local officers.

The building stood empty for several years, until it was acquired by the Inner City Buildings Preservation Trust and transformed into a luxury hotel, opening the door to further development in the immediate area.

The Northern Counties Ballroom, formerly the member’s private dining room, is an elegant space for meetings and events. Did we mention luminaries such as Winston Churchill and W.B. Yeats having visited this iconic building back in the day?

[Hervey Library]

The hotel’s Hervey Library is named after Earl-Bishop Frederick Hervey, a bishop and eccentric who helped to shape 18th century Derry by investing and building its first bridge across the Foyle, restored St. Columb’s, and built Downhill Manor and the Mussenden Temple. Its a lovely room to enjoy afternoon tea service.

Rooms

Bishop’s Gate houses 31 guest rooms (including two suites) plus nine apartments — each with its own unique story and personality.

My room contains plum and cream herringbone patterned carpeting, a leather-accented mirror, wooden working desk, smart TV, velvet sitting bench, a full bathroom with rain shower, and a closet with coffee, teas, and kettle, robes, slippers, ironing board and iron.

The king-sized bed is fitted with high quality bedding plus pillows and bed runner to match the shapely plum silver-studded headboard.

The bathroom is stocked with Dutch luxury brand Rituals bath and shower products, one of our favourite luxury labels.

Some rooms include balconies overlooking St. Columb’s Cathedral (mine overlooks the rear of the cathedral). Decorative moulding, high ceilings, original fireplaces, and a four-poster bed (by request) all create an elegant, yet comfortable vibe, ideal for exploring Derry’s shops, restaurants, museums and historical highlights.

Dining

The Gown Restaurant is the hotel’s centrepiece, and offers seasonally-inspired dishes created by Executive Chef Paul Sharkey, Head Chef Lee Laverty, Ian Archer, and their culinary team.

[A continental breakfast buffet and hot dishes made to order are served each morning]

The room has retained original architectural details to infuse a sense of time and place while enjoying breakfast, lunch (including an extended Sunday lunch hours), or dinner.

The Wig Champagne Bar is set in a stunning room containing an original fireplace and Edwardian decor.

[Ginger and Lemon Fizz mocktail]

This is the spot to enjoy light bites, a selection of bubbly, wines, cocktails and mocktails.

[Miso-glazed Greencastle cod]

There’s even a Bushmills tasting fight if you missed a stop at the distillery. A full gluten-free menu is also available.

[Bishop Street Courthouse, recipient of 13 IRA bombings, the most bombed structure in Derry]

In the Area

Just outside the doors to the left is St. Columb’s Cathedral, and in the opposite direction down Society Street is the Siege Museum. The War Memorial forms the area’s centre, with Richmond Shopping Centre, Millennium Forum, Tower Museum, the city walls, and Derry Girls mural all within a 10-minute walk.

Across the Peace Bridge, you’ll find Ebrington Square, and Walled City Brewery (housed in a historic military barracks). The DNA Museum, adjacent to the square, is set to open in 2026.

A broad range of cafés, shops, and pubs are dotted along neighbouring streets, making Derry a compact and easy discovery for a short visit.

The Bishop’s Gate Hotel is located at 24 Bishop Street in Derry, Ireland. Visit their site for details and to take advantage of their seasonal packages.

I was a guest of The Bishop’s Gate Hotel for the purpose of experiencing the hotel for coverage. Opinions, as always, are my own. Non-watermarked images courtesy of the Bishop’s Gate Hotel.