Derry's historic St Columb's Hall secured for the community

St Columb’s Hall has returned to community ownership after St Columb’s Hall Trust completed its purchase of the Grade A listed landmark, paving the way for a £3.75 million National Lottery‑funded restoration that will finally open the entire building to the public.

Built in 1886, the 45,000-square-foot building was initially paid for by the public and as a result became known as The Peoples Hall. Since then, it has been a backdrop to the political, social and cultural history of the City attracting iconic thinkers and performers.

With only one third of the building currently in usable condition, the project is focussed on giving people access to the entire building so that the People’s Hall can realise its full potential and become a shared, accessible space for everyone.

The £3.75 million funding package will cover extensive repairs to the roof, floors, stairs, doors, windows, external walls and metalwork.

New electrics, lighting, ventilation, alarms and IT systems will be installed, alongside minor internal alterations and the creation of a new rooftop terrace. The project will also upgrade back‑of‑house areas and changing rooms, and develop a new ground‑floor space featuring an exhibition area.

Access and safety will be significantly improved through updated stairs and a modernised lift, making the building safer and more accessible for all users.

A planned heritage engagement activity programme will reach 3,000 people including workshops for underserved audiences including 16–25 year olds, people aged 65+, new communities and people with access and inclusion needs.

Conal McFeely, Chairperson, St Columb’s Hall Trust said: “St Columb’s Hall Trust, with the remarkable support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, are proud to announce that we have now brought the Hall back into community ownership, keeping the original promise of this magnificent space. This is the People’s Hall and over the coming years we intend to have every space within it repaired and re-opened for all of our community to enjoy once again.”

Stella Byrne, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “This is a milestone moment as this award to St Columb’s Hall Trust brings National Lottery investment in heritage in Northern Ireland to over £300million and is the Council area’s 150 th project with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

It is an incredible heritage building that lives long in people’s memories and is now being sustainably redeveloped so that new generations and new audiences can freely access it, enjoy it and appreciate its legacy in the City. It’s not an easy undertaking to revitalise and adapt older buildings, the vision and dedication of the team behind the project is ensuring that St Columb’s Hall celebrates 140 years of heritage and continues to host many more years of community life.”

The journal spoke with Anne‑Marie Gallagher, Project Director and lead of the People’s Hall for All programme for St Columb’s Hall Trust.

She said the People’s Hall is keeping its promise to Derry.

“We are going to start a really extensive repair programme. We have already stabilised a third of the space, but our goal is to open up 100% of the hall to the community. We intend to host creative activities, community gatherings, debates and a wide variety of events that people in the city have told us they want to see in the hall.

“We want to make sure the hall is completely accessible. The community has told us that this building isn’t the easiest to navigate, so we want to ensure the People’s Hall is open to everyone, no matter who you are.

She added that while the building will become more accessible, its heritage will be preserved.

Continuing Anne-Marie said: “There won’t be much change to the heritage fabric of the building. We will be enhancing what is already here rather than creating something new. The repair work will be carried out in a way that complements the building’s history. We also want to tell the story of the hall. One of the most important things we plan to launch is an exhibition area that explains the hall’s place within the city, so people understand what they are seeing when they come in.

“When visitors arrive, many don’t understand the heritage of the hall. We want people to leave knowing what we have here and why it is so important.

“This has been a long journey, but we are all passionate about fulfilling the promise made by the people of the city who built this building. It is too important to allow it to decay. It was designed for the people of the city to use. This is a very emotional day for us, and we are proud to say we have achieved this.”

Known Derry artist Donal O’Doherty of Peaball Creative, who uses the building as a studio space, said: “I think this is one of our nicest buildings, and it was built by the people for the people. The fact that it is now back in the people’s hands is just amazing, and it will be a massive boost for the city, both for the types of events that can take place here and for the audiences it can attract.”

Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, also spoke about the importance of St Columb’s Hall to the people of Derry.

Mayor Uí Niallais said: “It’s really important because, first of all, it is part of our history, and it’s vital to keep that history alive. Secondly, it is a building that is open to the community, a place where we can hold concerts, conferences and shows. We are a city full of talent, whether in music or dance, and having another space to showcase that is extremely important.”