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Stroke City to remain Londonderry | Stroke City to remain Londonderry |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The name of Northern Ireland's second city is to remain Londonderry, a High Court judge has ruled. | The name of Northern Ireland's second city is to remain Londonderry, a High Court judge has ruled. |
Mr Justice Weatherup made the decision after a judicial review on the issue brought by Derry City Council. | Mr Justice Weatherup made the decision after a judicial review on the issue brought by Derry City Council. |
The council had wanted the government to accept its view that the name of the city is Derry rather than Londonderry. | The council had wanted the government to accept its view that the name of the city is Derry rather than Londonderry. |
The judge ruled that just because the council had changed its title to Derry, this did not mean the name specified back in the 17th century was changed. | The judge ruled that just because the council had changed its title to Derry, this did not mean the name specified back in the 17th century was changed. |
He said only legislation or Royal prerogative could change the city's name. | |
'Clarity' | |
A spokesman for the city council said the judgement provided important clarity on the legal name of the city. | |
Sinn Fein councillor Kevin Campbell said they would continue the fight to get the name changed. | |
"Everybody, and I mean everybody, would benefit from it at the end of the day," he said. | |
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Maiden CityFoyleStroke City But Democratic Unionist councillor Gregory Campbell said this should "put the issue to rest". | |
"For 23 years, it has made us the subject not only of division but of derision," he said. | |
Londonderry was established in a Royal Charter granted by King James I in 1613. | Londonderry was established in a Royal Charter granted by King James I in 1613. |
In 1984 the name of the nationalist-controlled council was changed from Londonderry to Derry, but the city itself continues to be officially known as Londonderry. | |
Titles like 'maiden city', (despite a siege its defences were never breached) 'Foyle', (after the river which runs through it) and 'stroke city', (from Derry/Londonderry) have all been used by people trying to avoid controversy. | Titles like 'maiden city', (despite a siege its defences were never breached) 'Foyle', (after the river which runs through it) and 'stroke city', (from Derry/Londonderry) have all been used by people trying to avoid controversy. |
The name Derry is an Anglicisation of the original Gaelic name of the city, Doire, meaning oak grove. | The name Derry is an Anglicisation of the original Gaelic name of the city, Doire, meaning oak grove. |
The London prefix was added in 1613 when the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James I to reflect the association with the City of London and in particular The Honourable The Irish Society which had been granted lands in and around the city. | The London prefix was added in 1613 when the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James I to reflect the association with the City of London and in particular The Honourable The Irish Society which had been granted lands in and around the city. |