Derry or Londonderry?

[TigerOnTour]

How controversial would it be if I used the wrong name and what is this city referred to in the North of Northern Ireland? The internet says that most unionists call it Londonderry and most nationalists call it Derry. Is this still accurate today? If you live there or nearby, what do you call it?

Live 15 minutes from the city, was raised in a traditionally unionist family and went to mixed schools/have a very mixed friend group. It's Derry. I know one person who calls it Londonderry and she's a rabid unionist and everything that's wrong with our wee country.

It's more common to refer to the city as Derry and the county as Londonderry - though I'd say that's been changing over the last 10 years too and it's becoming more common to hear County Derry as well as Derry city.

I have a lot of NI/ROI friends, both catholic and protestant. It's Derry.

Literally the only time I've heard it called Londonderry is on the BBC news.

I live in Belfast.

It's Derry. Nothing else.

In the United States, they actually are two different towns! 👇

If you speak to someone here and they feel you have got it wrong. They may well politely correct you then move on. As our beloved Colm Eastwood is prone to doing.

our wee country.

How can you not fall in love with a culture that says "wee" ?

😅

I say wee all the time and I'm English!

Admittedly a large number of my friends are Irish 😬

No need for the red face, I wouldn't have much knowledge of geographical regions in other countries.

Thanks everyone! I was asking because we are English and we are visiting the area. I'm very aware of all the history and don't want to upset anyone! This is really helpful. Everyone in Northern Ireland is very friendly and we are having a lovely trip 😍

You should make your way to the Giant's Causeway if you haven't already done so.

@Sparrowball yes we have! It was cool! The beaches here are brilliant too. So much bigger, cleaner and emptier than, say, Cornwall. Much friendlier people too.

I've heard it referred to as Legend Derry

Derry

DERRY

My sister always jokes we're very friendly to visitors, but not so friendly to each other! 🤣

On the whole, Norn Iron folk will generally let visitors using certain names slide by, often with a bit of a joke.

The serious stuff is really between locals, so don't overthink it. 👍

Sounds like Northumberland. I have no connection to the region, but a recent holiday opened my eyes. What a beautiful and friendly part of England.

Anyway, back on the rails…

Stroke City

I had a flatmate from there and she always called it Derry

I'm from Belfast and call it Derry, but have been 'corrected' a few times (the fucking cheek of it) by unionists. Londonderry's a bit of a mouthful😆

Indeed it is! Legend Derry I love living in this county!

Shushhhh don't be telling people!!!!!

Derry

This isn't an "other country" it's my own and our closest neighbour.

I'm a Protestant in the North and I and pretty much everyone I know calls it Derry.

(In work we have to write Derry/Londonderry though, which looks daft)

Like someone else said OP, the odds of you offending someone are lower if you go for Derry.

Yes they do. I've noticed this.