Guide #35509
Hello! My name is David, and I am an experienced locally based guide, now coming into my seventh season with Tours By Locals. My profession as an accountant has allowed me to travel extensively in Europe and in particular in Spain, France, and Sweden. I always tried to learn about the local culture and history of the cities that I have visited, and a walking tour from a local guide has always been a must do experience. From my own personal experiences as a tourist, I have learned what makes a good walking tour and I hope to deliver this as I convey to my clients the rich history of my home city and county of Derry/Londonderry. I encourage visitors to "Linger longer in Londonderry" and enjoy a "Dander around Derry" and I can arrange a tour to suit you. My mission is to provide informative and entertaining historical tours of interest to visitors to the area. I always strive to be "politically neutral" and "historically accurate". Due to the wealth of historical information that exists about the city, the biggest challenge has not been what to include, but what to leave out !!! Although I am some-one who lived in the city during "the Troubles" of 1969-1994, in my tours I deliberately do not focus on the details of that difficult period of the city's recent history, preferring to concentrate on a wider period from its origins to the present day. I was born, bred and am a lifetime resident of the city. I am a passionate student and reader of history. I am an "Old Boy" of Foyle College and a graduate of Queen's University, Belfast. I am a member of Tour Guides NI, and as such am public liability insured. I am also a long-time member of "The Friends of the Derry Walls" and other local Historical Societies. I am steadily developing my contacts with other local tourist organisations and attractions and work as part of a connected and collaborative network for the benefit of visitors to the area. I am currently able to offer a number of add-on visits to attractions in the area, including the Guildhall, St Columb's Cathedral, the Tower Museum, the Playhouse, the Blue Coat Heritage Centre and the St Columba Heritage Centre. I have also developed a young person's treasure hunt to keep the younger visitor engaged during my tours around the Derry Walls. For your safety, a radio microphone system can be provided on request. Please specify at time of booking. (Although headphones are provided, I would encourage guests to bring their own). As Sustainability is a very important aspect of the Tourism Trade, I have recently undergone Leave No Trace Awareness Training and am also Certified as Carbon Literate through Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. See you in Derry/Londonderry soon. OCN Level 3 Award in Tour Guiding (2020) OCN Level 2 Award in Tour Guiding (2017) Member of Tour Guides NI - Public Liability Insured Member of Visit Derry World Host Ambassador Training Completed My tours are normally only walking tours of Derry/Londonderry. In exceptional circumstances I may offer a pick up or driving tour of the city.
Londonderry

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17 reviews
I was with a group of 18 people and for half of them, English is not their first language. David provided us with headphones so we could hear him no matter where we were standing. This was very helpful. David spoke clearly and he imparted his wide knowledge of the history of the walls with clarity and he held the attention of all the members of the group with...

Replied from David D.
Hello Barbara Thank you for your kind words. It’s great to hear that such a large mixed group of locals and German nationals equally enjoyed the content of my tour. The radio mikes worked well for your group and we were able make the tour accessible for all guests. Thanks also to my colleague John for his assistance on the day. Thank you booking me and allowing me to be...
Comprehensive and very informative. Outlined the political and religious history of Derry in an educational and succinct manner. Very enjoyable.

Replied from David D.
Hello Ian, It was great to meet you and your fellow guests for your half day tour with me. Thanks for your 5 star rating and pleased to hear you found my tour educational and enjoyable, and I hope it gives you a good starting point to explore more of the attractions and locations in the city and in the wider locality. Best wishes, David
David is very knowledgeable and able to go in depth on many subjects. My husband is an Ulster Scot and all of his questions were answered. We were on a cruise which docked a distance from the center and David graciously came to pick us up and arranged for our return. We were able in 2+ hours to see a wide range of Derry’s highlight-sculpture, churches the fabulous city...

Replied from David D.
Hello Ann, Thanks for your great review and good to meet you and John and share some of the city's history and in particular John's Ulster Scot heritage. It was a pleasure to help you with some of the transport arrangements too. If you circumstances permit please come back and spend a bit longer in the city and in meantime I hope the rest of your cruise is great...
We had an excellent, informative and unbiased tour from our newest friend and guide David Douglas. David told us all the stories, history, politics and more about Derry, with an adept ability to come at it all with both objectivity and empathy. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for an upscale and in-depth history of Derry. We appreciated his humor as well. Give...

Replied from David D.
Hello Jeffrey, Thank you for your positive review and kind comments. Your group was a pleasure to guide and that also helped me deliver my tour in a relaxed and comfortable manner. The city was looking well and there is a great vibe today with the jazz festival so hopefully you have a great rest of a visit and enjoy some more of the sights and attractions too. Certainly...