Region: Derry
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History
Founded by St. Colm Cille in AD 546, Derry is the only completely walled city in Ireland. Developed by the City of London in the early 17th century, it was given a charter in 1613 and endowed with a new name -Londonderry. Derry's walls and inner city were the showpiece development of the Plantation era in Ulster and reflected the most advanced concepts of military and civil engineering of the period. These walls witnessed one of the most important events in the history of the city "The Siege of Derry" which has left its mark on the traditions of the city to the present day. During the 18th and 19th centuries Derry became an important port for the Irish emigrants setting out for America, hence the colonies of Derry and Londonderry founded in the state of New Hampshire. By the middle of the nineteenth century Derry grew into a thriving textile centre due to the establishment of several shirt and collarmaking factories.
Geography
Derry is located in the North West of Ireland and is bordered by the Donegal Hills to the West, the Sperrin mountains to the South, the Causeway Coast to the East and the Lough Foyle to the North.
Population
The population of the Derry City Council Area in 1994 was 101,600. Recent reports suggest that the population will increase. It is likely that the population of the Derry City Council Area will rise to 106,000 by 2001.
Economy
Derry has a dynamic, broad-based economy fueled by a strong industrial heritage and by grass-roots entrepreneurial flair. It has enjoyed an additional benefit since the 1960s -sustained investment by a series of prestige international corporations. This has contributed to the area achieving an employment growth rate during the last decade which has outstripped all other regions in the United Kingdom. The city first came to prominence in the 19th century as a centre of the world's garment and textile industries and in the interim it has shown itself to be marvelously adept at embracing the challenges posed by successive generations. The resilient self-help ethos which is a prime characteristic of this proud city, ensures that Derry people make, rather than wait for, opportunities.
Economic Development
The socio-economic situation of this bordering region involves high unemployment, disproportionate reliance on the public sector and certain industries such as textiles, clothing and agriculture. Generally, the region can be considered as deprived, the industrial and service sectors are patchy, firm size is small. There is evidence, however, to suggest that the region is capable of job creation through increased crossborder co-operation, inward investment and development of indigenous SMEs in the tourism and natural resources sectors.
Strategy
Stimulated by its experiences and transfer of know-how during ERNAC' s first period of operations (1991-1994), the North West Ireland Crossborder Region, which comprises Derry and Donegal, designed an integrated regional Information Society strategy, capable of enhancing the perspectives for cross-border economic and social development and integration.
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