Free Derry Corner, Historical monument in Bogside, Derry, Northern Ireland
Free Derry Corner is a freestanding gable wall section at the junction of Lecky Road, Rossville Street, and Fahan Street in Derry. The white-painted wall carries black lettering that reads "You are now entering Free Derry," clearly visible from a distance.
In January 1969, Liam Hillen painted the words on the gable end of a house that belonged to a demolished row of terraces. The declaration marked a self-governed nationalist area that lasted until British troops dissolved it in 1972.
Visitors can see the large wall inscription from the middle of Lecky Road, which still serves as a site for commemorative events and political gatherings. Nearby are several memorial plaques remembering individuals who lost their lives during the troubles in the city.
The wall stands in the central reservation of Lecky Road after the street was converted to a dual carriageway. The Museum of Free Derry is just a short walk away and offers additional context about the neighborhood's history.
The wall receives regular repainting to represent different social movements, with each new color or message reflecting a current campaign. In 2018, it was painted yellow to raise awareness about sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
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