Do you call the city and county Derry or Londonderry?

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Tony A

It depends on whether you are a nationalist or a republican...

The town is 'properly' called Derry, but the protestants who gerrymandered the election system to maintain political power referred to it as Londonderry to emphasise their English links. It has become accepted by usage, but it is incorrect.

Does it annoy me?

It did, very much, during the times of The Troubles when Northern Ireland was constantly in the news. The decision as to which you are going to use is, in effect, a political act (at least, it is within the powderkeg of Irish politics), as every time it was reported, the BBC & ITN people called it Londonderry.

The work of the Glasgow Media Unit has demonstrated, time after time, the bias inherent within the news reporting system in favour of the 'status quo' (in this case, the occupation of a part of Ireland by a foreign power against the wishes of its original inhabitants) and, as the author Toni Morrisson once said, there is no more political act than maintianing the status quo.

Now, however, it doesn't bother me so much - there are far worse things going on in the world, and this seems a bit petty to get worked up about (although I obviously was a bit worked up while typing my answer!), except that it is a representative example of the colonisation of an autonomous country by an invading power, and the legitimilisation of that action, and all such acts are annoying.

Every time you allow something 'unjust' to continue because it isn't 'that' important, you add to the sum of injustice in the world.

On a personal note, this is my first answer on Yahoo Answers, and I hope that people find it useful!

grainne

Its Derry by us Irish, and Londonderry by the English!!!

LovelyLo

Derry I'm Irish not British.

It bothers me a bit because foreigners shouldn't get to decide what a place is called.

deburca98

As mentioned above it comes from the irish word Doire.
Therefore every time it is refered to as londonderry it is reinforcing the origional name Derry. Londonderry is a colonial term that trys to inforce the last wimpers of a dying Empire

starrygirl

DERRY

rosie

Derry

Yes

And the song is called Danny Boy not any other name

Caoimhe M

Derry :)

Captain Shamrock

Derry always Derry,

ems dublin

its called Derry and yes it does annoy me if its called the othername!!!!!!

riverclarin

Well, it's a long way from London so it's definitely Derry.

While we're at it, let's change Liverpool to Dublinliverpool and Manchester to Galwaymanchester!

kit

DERRY!!!

Melok

Well, I call it Derry. I was born and raised in the Republic so that's how it was taught to me.
I've heard of people refering to it as LondonDerry and no it doesn't bother me.
I've never had someone correct me. If someone did, I'd probably refer to my first line here, and leave it at that.
Arguing about this is quiet trivial.
Call it what you want.

Black

In the repubic of Ireland it is County Derry and in the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland it is Londonderry. Although my family and relations in London England call it Derry,

Lord Charlemount

Londondonderry if you are of unionist persuasion (and the official title of both city and county) except when orangemen talk about historical event called 'The siege of Derry'

Derry if you are of a nationalist persuasion (and actually used by majority of people regardless of background in informal conversation)

And for further confusion, council is officially "Derry City Council" and airport is "City of Derry" airport.

Finally, in GAA circles, the county is known as Doire!

Simple really!!!!!!!

fjgannon

i think the answer above this should get the prize for best answer! mind you, me being so understanding and nominating another person, should really lead you to give the prize to me.
It's Derry by the way.

scottie

I think Tony A summed it up pretty well!

basilb101

Offical name; Londonderry for both county and city.
Derry is used by all faiths (apprentice boys of derry/siege of derry) and few people (outside of extremists) care.
City= Derry County= Londonderry

Nicols B

the protestants call it Londonderry and the catholics call it derry!!

AnteK

derry. londonderry is a stain of british(spits) on this beautiful island. how dare anyone call it londonderry i think they should be SHOT!

moominpics

County Derry... but depends who I'm talking to as to whether I use London or Derry for the city.

It's also known as 'stroke' city after a dj used the term. Rather than say Derry/(stroke)Londonderry he said 'stroke city'

jo jo

city of Derry in co. londonderry i.e city of york in Yorkshire, that's the official name why don't those who don't know this look into the history of our wonderful city .then stop arguing whether it s to do with being Irish or English. while they are at it check out a few other names of towns and cites ,they could be surprised at the findings they come up with. Derry =doire .in Gaelic means grove of oaks

naughtysissycindy

Londonderry>And No But i soon put them right> But am from East Belfast and support Queen and county X Cindy

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