Derry Walls and Museum of Free Derry major draws that could be better promoted says Conor Murphy

Mr. Murphy made the observation in the Stormont Assembly this week.

He was asked asked what plans he had to extend Fáilte Ireland’s tourism brands in the North.

“I have already had conversations with officials. A piece of work is already agreed and funded by the Shared Island Fund to consider linkages in relation to the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway coast,” he commented.

He pointed to the Derry Walls and MoFD as major attractions in the North West that could be better promoted.

“Local political and cultural tours are opportunities to bring tourism benefits, including those from tourism spend, into areas that have not necessarily had a peace dividend.

"Things like the black taxi tours on the Falls and the Shankill are, I think, the second-biggest attraction in Belfast, without having been seriously promoted. I am sure that, in Derry, the experience of the walls and the Museum of Free Derry could be better promoted as well. As I said, those have brought jobs and income into areas that have not benefited in the past.

"We will absolutely look at that as part of the strategy. I get all the sensitivities around political and cultural tours, but they are an area of interest for people who come here. They are managed well in other parts of the world,” the minister declared.

Memorial Walk and lecture organised by Derry heritage expert Mark Lusby to go ahead in his honour