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NORTHERN Ireland’s second city has changed its official name from Londonderry to Derry.
Derry City and Strabane District Council voted in favour of the change on Thursday night, with the support of Sinn Fein, the SDLP and independent councillors.
Unionists attacked the decision to change the official name, claiming it was “sectarian.”
But Communist Party of Ireland chairwoman Lynda Walker said yesterday: “The fact that it was changed from its original name and is now going to be changed back to Derry is putting the historical position back where it should be.”
The ancient settlement of Daire was given the “London” prefix in 1613 in honour of the London guilds funding its reconstruction.
“In any case, people can and will call the city Derry/Londonderry as it suits them,” Ms Walker added. “That is how it got the nickname ‘Stroke City’.”
She pointed out that even unionist anthems such as The Sash refer to the city as Derry.
