The oldest church ruins in Derry

St Brecan was an early missionary bishop who was possibly the son of a king from Munster. He established a church on the Aran Islands before moving to Derry and reputedly wrote prophecies about future wars and the coming of foreigners from England. He was well-educated in European affairs and is also known as the Bishop of Ardbraccan in Donegal. This church was commissioned by Bishop Redmond O’Gallagher in 1600 and was believed to be the oldest structure in Derry. Recent excavations on the grounds of St Columbs College (Lumeni College) have revealed that what was thought to be an old windmill is actually the ruins of a 10th-century round tower.