Can culture help break chains of the past in Derry?

THERE’S something in the air in Derry. The great city of St Columcille is the first UK City of Culture, a cultural extravaganza that began in January and will extend all year.

Derry, climbing high from the banks of the mighty River Foyle, has always been known as a cultural capital brimming with native talent. From Dana to Phil Coulter and the punk sensation The Undertones to actors Roma Downey, Bronagh Gallagher and Amanda Burton: talent oozes from the Maiden City’s pavements and her famous stones.

A year of cultural novelties for the city await: the Turner Prize travels outside of England for the first time and the Fleadh Ceoil na-hÉireann will finally cross the border.