Record-breaking year for Museum of Free Derry with almost £16m boost to local economy

The Museum of Free Derry recorded its highest-ever visitor numbers in 2024, with 44,586 people passing through its doors — a 5.4% increase on 2023.  

Maeve Mc Laughlin, Director, said: “A recent survey conducted by the museum, designed in conjunction with Enterprise North West confirms that nearly seven in ten visitors cited the Museum of Free Derry as their main reason for visiting Derry,  underscoring the museum’s significance in attracting tourism to the city”.

Key Findings from 2024 Visitor Survey 

The survey gathered responses from 274 visitors between January and December  2024. It highlights the museum’s growing impact on both tourism and the local  economy as follows:  

• GB and Ireland: Together, these regions accounted for 4 out of 10 visitors  (40.5%) to the museum in 2024. 
• North American presence: Visitors from the US and Canada made up 36.5% of  the total 
• 23%. This reflects ongoing local, national and international interest. Record-Breaking Economic Impact 

In addition to its contribution to tourism, the Museum of Free Derry helped generate  an estimated £15,821,358 for the local economy in 2024, with museum visitors  reporting an average spend of £354.85 while they were in the city.

Growing Interest Prompts Extended Opening Hours 

With increasing visitor demand and the success of a trial period of late openings in  2024, the museum is extending its hours to accommodate the expected growth in  visitor numbers. New opening hours will be 

• Monday to Friday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm (from 7th April to 30th November);  10am to 4:00 pm (December 2025 to March 2026) 
• Sundays: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (from 6th April to 30th November) • Saturdays: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (open year-round) 

(Last entry is one hour before closing.) 

Ms Mc Laughlin added: "The impact of the Museum of Free Derry and political tourism in the north cannot be underestimated. Over £15million has been generated  into the local economy through visitors. This is huge and now needs to be encouraged and marketed internationally.

"It is positive news that political/ peace  tourism is now included in the new tourism action plan – what we need now is  financial support to encourage more international visitors to come to Derry to hear the story of our people and place.”