Search
07 Mar 2026
Search
07 Mar 2026
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
TV star James Nesbitt was in Derry to receive an unusual accolade.
The Ulster University chancellor and Derry’s historic Walls have been named as Northern Ireland’s ‘National Treasures,’ following an online poll to celebrate 20 years of the National Lottery.
James Nesbitt beat off world number one golfer Rory McIlroy in a public vote to be named NI’s favourite famous face.
The TV and film star was honoured for his role as Chancellor of the Ulster University and his patronage of charities Action Cancer and WAVE Trauma Centre which have all received National Lottery funding.
He also starred in the National Lottery-funded film Bloody Sunday.
Derry’s 400-year-old walls were named NI’s most iconic place ahead of the Giant’s Causeway and the Ulster Museum in Belfast in a survey which asked the general public to choose from a range of venues which had received National Lottery funding.
The National Treasures were announced ahead of the 20th anniversary of the first National Lottery draw, which took place on November 19, 1994.
Since then players have raised £32 billion for 450,000 charities, arts, sports and heritage projects, and the National Lottery has created more than 3,600 millionaires and paid out £53 billion in prizes.
Both the actor and the walls were honoured at an event at the Verbal Arts Centre today.
James Nesbitt said: “To win any award voted for by the public is an honour. I am very proud of my roots and where I come from.
“But I am also very proud to be able to represent such a fantastic institution such as the Ulster University and my other charities Action Cancer and WAVE Trauma Centre, all of which have benefited from National Lottery funding.
“I am also delighted to see the Walls of Derry recognised too. My affinity to the city grew when I played the role of Ivan Cooper in Bloody Sunday. It is fitting this landmark, which has played such an important role in the city’s past, has its heritage preserved and protected for future generations.”
Ursula Clifford, Chair of Feis Dhoire Cholmcille.
Mayor Oliver McMullan, with pupils and teachers from Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle High School, St Mary’s High School and Limavady High School, during the ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative.
Artist Michael McLaughlin with Sopranos stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa, Waterfront
Main Street, St Johnston
Fresh controversy over ownership and repair of Free Derry Wall
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
