It was a pleasure to meet the Bell family from Scotland, and take them for a tour of the wonderful 'Derry's Walls'. On holiday in Co. Fermanagh, the family travelled all the way to the Maiden City on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025, specifically to sample the history that is unique to the city.
One of the highlights of a tour in this city is making acquaintance with Roaring Meg - one of the many cannon given to the Walled City by the City of London, specifically in this case, by the Fishmonger's Guild. Roaring Meg was made famous by the loudness of her voice when fired - the sound was said to make the inhabitants of the city cheer and the besiegers outside the city walls quake with fear.
Cast in 1642, Roaring Meg was a gift to the city from the Fishmongers Guild in London and she fired shot weighing 18lbs. Now decommissioned, her ladyship was still used to fire ceremonial salutes right up to the 19th Century. She now sits proudly on Double Bastion, a silent sentinel still on point duty.
As I introduced the Bell Clan to the 'old girl' on Tuesday, I had a flashback to my own introduction to Roaring Meg one freezing winter's day over five decades ago. I distinctly recollect being wrapped up against the cold and being swung into the air by my dad, who plopped me onto Meg's back.
I sincerely hope that in another 50 years Roaring Meg will still be providing picture opportunities for visiting families. And I also hope that when the Bell family look back at their photographs taken on Tuesday, that they have fond memories of making friends with the grand old dame with the loud voice who worked so hard to ensure that the Maiden City Walls were never breached.