January 2025: New and colourful history of St Columb's Park House marks 250 years of a Waterside landmark

Sitting at the very heart of the tranquil St Columb's Park on the east bank of the River Foyle is a late-Georgian, stately manor house with a Victorian Italianate addition and a walled garden, which, through its portals has witnessed a fascinating mix of residents and visitors in its lifetime - including the legendary author William Makepeace Thackeray.

This is the fascinating story of the residents of St Columb's House spanning over 250 years. The project was sponsored by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The launch at the House was a massive celebration involving descendants, historians, broadcasters and dozens of Waterside residents who use the facility as a thriving community hub.

A small section of the large crowd in the St Columb's Park House ballroom for the launch

Actors in period costume outside St Columb's Park House for the launch on January 15.

Launch organisers, authors and guests, including: Grace Nelis (co-ordinator), Ken McCormack, Hazel Philson, Dee Jenkins, Sharon Doherty, Laura Adair and Garbhán Downey (Colmcille Press/Cló Cholmcille)

The authors' interview with Mark Patterson on BBC Radio Foyle can be found here:

The Belfast Telegraph review of the book is available here: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/new-book-explores-ni-buildings-links-to-saints-a-pm-and-the-famine-across-250-years-of-hidden-history/a861899298.html

For copies of the book, please contact St Columb's Park House: 00 44 2871 343080.