Rich in history
St Columb’s Hall has been an intrinsic piece of the cultural, architectural and historical fabric of Derry City since 1886 and has a rich pedigree in incubating and showcasing the creative talents of the “city of song”.
Located adjacent to the East Wall of the city’s historic Walls, the Hall was originally built by the St Columb’s Hall Total Abstinence Society as a safe haven and has a deep connection with the local community.
Over the years, the Hall has been a refuge for the local community, creative thinkers and cultural organisations and this rich history is the subject of a new publication by Foyle Civic Trust (funded by the Department for Communities).
Written and researched by Peter Tracey, the History of the Hall explores over a century of culture, heritage and examines the unique architecture of this Grade A listed building.
A Venue of choice for some of the world’s most iconic performers & Notaries
Éamon De Valera
Éamon de Valera rallied supporters during the War of Independence at St Columb’s Hall and was arrested on its steps during a return visit in 1924
Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst
Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst campaigned for women’s right to vote in a keynote speech at St Columb’s Hall in1910
Roy Orbison
Leading international performers Roy Orbison; Chubby Checker, Ruby Murray and Val Doonican also performed at the Hall in the 1960’s
Josef Locke
Derry tenors Josef Locke and John McCormick performed regularly
Ruby Murray
Leading international performers Roy Orbison; Chubby Checker, Ruby Murray and Val Doonican also performed at the Hall in the 1960’s
Eleanor Marx-Aveling
In a historic and highly controversial tour of the City, Eleanor Marx-Aveling (trade unionist and daughter of Karl Marx) spoke at St Columb’s Hall in 1891 to male and female workers in the city’s many industries – encouraging them to join their local trade union.
Dana Scallon
Eurovision star Dana Scallon, like so many other stars from the city, performed in St Columb’s Hall throughout her youth
Éamon De Valera
Éamon de Valera rallied supporters during the War of Independence at St Columb’s Hall and was arrested on its steps during a return visit in 1924
Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst
Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst campaigned for women’s right to vote in a keynote speech at St Columb’s Hall in1910
Roy Orbison
Leading international performers Roy Orbison; Chubby Checker, Ruby Murray and Val Doonican also performed at the Hall in the 1960’s
Josef Locke
Derry tenors Josef Locke and John McCormick performed regularly
Ruby Murray
Leading international performers Roy Orbison; Chubby Checker, Ruby Murray and Val Doonican also performed at the Hall in the 1960’s
Eleanor Marx-Aveling
In a historic and highly controversial tour of the City, Eleanor Marx-Aveling (trade unionist and daughter of Karl Marx) spoke at St Columb’s Hall in 1891 to male and female workers in the city’s many industries – encouraging them to join their local trade union.
Dana Scallon
Eurovision star Dana Scallon, like so many other stars from the city, performed in St Columb’s Hall throughout her youth
- St Columb's Hall is architecturally significant, with a Grade A Listing - one of just 226 buildings (or 2.5% of listed buildings) of "greatest importance to Northern Ireland".
- The design of the building was the result of an architectural competition which was won by the local firm of Croom & Toye (Edward J. Toye predominantly carried out contracts for the Catholic Church which included the spire at St. Eugene’s Cathedral, wings at St. Columb’s College and the design of St. Eugene’s Convent School.
- Rowan described the design of the hall as ‘lavish Baroque’ whilst the UAHS Guide called the façade ‘a mixture of Italianate and Gothic.’
- The construction of the Temperance Hall and Parish Hall was carried out by the local building firm of Joseph Ballantine of Clarendon Street.
- The most distinctive feature of the hall are the three statues located above the main entrance. The statuary group, which symbolise Temperance, Erin and Vulcan, were carved by Charles William Harrison (c.1835-1903), a Dublin-based sculptor who predominantly worked in the South of Ireland; the Dictionary of Irish Architects notes that St. Columb’s Hall was one of only two contracts that Harrison carried out in Ulster.
