Foyle Port

Foyle Port stands on the western shore of Lough Foyle in County Derry, Northern Ireland. It is the United Kingdom’s most westerly port and an important northerly port on the island of Ireland. The port now operates from Lisahally, a townland at the mouth of the River Foyle. Historically, ships used the river upriver near the walled city of Derry. The Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners once worked from offices just north of the city walls, and these buildings now house a museum. The port has played a key role in trade and transport for centuries. Viking and Norman ships once anchored close to the shore to unload goods. In 1664, King Charles II granted a charter to create the port of Londonderry, leading to the building of the Shipquay. By the 18th century, the port handled 67 ships with a capacity of 11,000 tons. Shipbuilding thrived in the 19th century, producing fast clipper ships until iron vessels took over. Visitors to Foyle Port find a modern working port with deep-water quays and a marina. The Lisahally Terminal has 440 metres of quay and can handle large vessels up to 62,000 GT. The Foyle Port Marina offers over 600 metres of secure berthing along the riverbank. The surrounding area includes the historic walled city of Derry, where the port’s past is still visible in streets like Shipquay Street. The port’s role in the Battle of the Atlantic is remembered at Lisahally, where German U-boats surrendered in 1945.