Culmore is a large village or intermediate settlement at the mouth of the River Foyle in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Culmore's name is derived from the Irish Cúil Mór (the great corner). The village is situated within the Derry and Strabane district, just north-east of Derry City, and enjoys a strategic position overlooking Lough Foyle. This location has historically made it both a gateway and a defensive outpost, influencing its development.
While the village's documented history emerges from the early modern period, its position at the mouth of the river suggests it would have been attractive to settlers for fishing, trade, and defense. The area's prominence in 16th- and 17th-century conflicts hints at earlier habitation patterns, as such strategic sites were often reused from one generation to the next.
Culmore entered the historical record dramatically in 1600, when Sir Henry Docwra landed at Culmore with 4,000 infantry and 200 cavalry to secure Ulster for the English Crown during the Nine Years' War. From Culmore, Docwra marched into Derry, fortified it, and used it as a base to pressure local Irish forces. His efforts earned him the title Baron Docwra of Culmore.
During O'Doherty's Rebellion of 1608, Culmore Fort played a pivotal role when Sir Cahir O'Doherty seized it to capture arms before burning Derry. This event underscored the fort's strategic importance in controlling access to the River Foyle.
The fort was partially destroyed in 1688 and rebuilt in 1780 by General Hart, with further repairs in 1830. In the 20th century, Culmore gained a place in aviation history when Amelia Earhart landed here in 1932 after her solo transatlantic flight.
Historically significant structures in Culmore include Culmore Fort, a Grade B+ listed stone fort built between 1600 and 1649, originally with earthen ramparts and a ditch. It has served as a military stronghold and coast guard station, and now stands as a heritage site undergoing restoration for community use. Another is the Amelia Earhart Centre, a small museum commemorating Earhart's landing at Culmore.
Regular Culmore events include European Heritage Open Days, in which Culmore Fort is opened to the public during the annual September event, with guided tours; and Gaelic Games, sponsored by the Culmore Cú Chulainn GAA club. The River and Lough Foyle are popular sites for sailing, with the Lough Foyle Yacht Club active in the area.
Culmore is a quiet riverside village, although it boasts centuries of strategic importance.
Topics relating to the village's businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, museums, historical places, libraries, art galleries, entertainment venues, sports and recreational programmes and facilities, organisations, and events are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
The registered charity is based in Culmore, Northern Ireland. It focuses on enhancing social and economic conditions through community-driven initiatives. The organisation operates the Culmore Community Hub and delivers a range of programmes aimed at regeneration, inclusion, and wellbeing. Its state mission is to promote rural and urban regeneration, foster an inclusive society through community facilities, provide free access to community spaces, and reduce isolation and anti-social behavior.
https://culmorehub.org/
Culmore Tourism & Craft Collective
The community-led initiative is designed to champion the regeneration of Culmore through tourism, craft development, and public art installations. The collective highlights the village's natural, built, and cultural heritage, and invites visitors to explore and engage with local storytelling and creative practices. Although the organization was dissolved in 2023, its website remains and includes historical information, a description of enhancement projects, and local crafts programmes.
https://www.culmorevillage.com/
The Ó Dochartaigh Clann Association, a global network uniting those who bear the Doherty, Dougherty, Daugherty, Docherty, and related surnames, hosts this page on Fort Culmore, which sits at the mouth of the River Foyle in Culmore, Northern Ireland. The historic fort's location is marked on a map, and several contemporary photos of the structure, a period sketch of the facilities, and a diagram highlighting its historical significance are featured, along with information on visiting.
https://www.odochartaighassociation.org/fort-culmore
Situated on a site overlooking the River Foyle, Owen Mor Care Home is located on Culmore Road, about three and a half miles from the city centre, with access to local bus routes. The centre is a registered nursing care provider, offering care 24 hours a day, provided by highly trained nurses. An overview of the facilities and their services is provided, including its unique features, philosophy of care, and its range of specialist care services. Contacts and job opportunities are posted.
https://owenmorcarecentre.co.uk
Situated in the Culmore area of Northern Ireland, along Culmore Point Road, the purpose-built, state-of-the-art specialist dental practice is dedicated to preventing tooth and gum problems and restoring oral health. An overview of the facilities, accessibility, and core services (oral surgery, dental implants, general dentistry, and advanced diagnostics) are highlighted, along with its address, directions, office hours, contact details, and an online enquiry form.
https://whiteroseclinic.com/
