r/DerryLondonderry

Was wondering if anyone knows of any cool little courses going on over the summer?

I'm a Xennial (so in my early 40s), female, bit of a tech nerd I suppose (no programming skills though). I like video games and creating digital art in different ways (music, video, graphic design), but also enjoy irl sketching

I'd love to do a course in stand up comedy or making music. Or even programming (I'm waaaay too old for the majority of programming courses, haha). I'm kind of a Tomboy I guess so not wanting to deep dive with any beauty treatment stuff…

City side would be preferable, unless it's a one day course (just because that's where I live)

Been sick the last week or two so haven't been out much but a friend was telling me the new cafe in Dunnes is open in Foyleside. They said it looked really busy, Anyone been? Any opinions on the food quality and what type of things they sell?

Hi, I found a pink Samsung phone last night on the steps beside China Garden. It’s rang a few times, but I can’t answer for some reason. I don’t have facebook and don’t know any other way to go about to find the owner.

EDIT. Someone has got in contact and hopefully it’s theirs. Phone has been dropped off at Strand Road police station.

Why is it folks (mostly blokes) barrel down that road without checking that the right (coming from the direction of the shops) is clear. Had to honk my horn today. It's about the 4th time this has happened. Its getting ridiculous.

I've just had this flyer put through my door, and while I think it's a pretty good idea, I was wondering whether you'd trust someone to pick up your car and take it to the MOT center for you? Also, I wonder from an insurance perspective, would your insurer stand over you giving your car away to a random person, and would any insurer be happy supporting a business like this. Thoughts?

Has anyone seen Monster Guava for sale anywhere here?checked my local Tesco and Sainsbury's but no luck. Tried a tin in Liverpool during the week and it was really good. It's GTA Vice City themed, because of GTA VI coming later I'm guessing.

Derry MLAs back motion calling for ‘robust rent controls’ and moratorium on sale of social housing stock

By Kevin Mullan

Published 22nd Jan 2026, Derry Journal.

Local MLAs addressed the housing crisis locally at the Stormont Assembly where SDLP MLA Mark H. Durkan called for a moratorium on the right to buy in order to address a lack of social homes available to rent.

Mr. Durkan further proposed ‘robust third-generation rent controls’ to address spiralling rents in the private market during the party’s first Opposition Day of 2026.

“Our rental market is facing severe strain. On one hand we are seeing huge social housing waiting lists as a result of a lack of properties, and on the other those in the private rental market are facing relentless price increases, at a time when families are already under huge financial pressure.

The expenditure of millions of pounds on emergency temporary accommodation set against the continued depletion of social housing stock in Derry has been branded ‘irreconcilable and fiscally irresponsible’.

“We cannot continue down a path where we have too few homes and rents that are increasingly unaffordable. The Executive has failed to meet even its own modest housing targets and has done little to regulate a private rental market that offers far less security than elsewhere, including in the South,” he said.

Mr. Durkan tabled a motion calling for third-generation rent controls which restrict the amount and frequency of rent rises for existing tenants.

“They are not crude rent freezes. I understand the Minister, the sector and others' concerns about that approach, but they are targeted, evidence-based measures that allow reasonable increases while preventing sudden destabilising hikes,” he said.

The SDLP MLA pointed to the depletion of social housing stock following the introduction of the North’s House Sales Scheme that came in on a voluntary basis 47 years ago.

“Since the house sales scheme began in 1979, over 122,000 Housing Executive homes have been sold. That is more than the number currently owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; it has about 83,000 homes remaining. Replacement has never come close. At current build rates, it would take nearly 80 years just to replace what has already been lost, and that does not take into account increasing demand or anything like that,” he said.

Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson proposed an amendment to Mr. Durkan’s proposal that called for ‘robust rent controls’ in place of ‘third-generation’ rent controls.

This would provide scope for ‘first-generation’ rent regulation where rent freezes could be imposed for new tenancies.

Ms. Ferguson echoed Mr. Durkan’s comments concerning the depletion of social housing.

“In 1974, there were approximately 455,500 dwellings across all housing sectors in the region; now, we have 841,872. While around 34 per cent of housing back then was social rented accommodation and almost all of that was owned or managed by the Housing Executive, Thatcher's [Margaret, former British Prime Minister] unmitigated disaster of a policy means that, despite that growth, we have been left with approximately 80,000 Housing Executive homes.

“To put that in context, we lost 212 homes in 2024 and 2025 alone,” she said.

Mrs. Ferguson criticised continued expenditure on emergency hotels and pop B&Bs while the social housing stock is depleting.

"The Housing Executive's annual spend on temporary accommodation increased by 16 per cent last year to nearly £40 million. That included a spend of almost £17 million on non-standard accommodation, such as hotels and B&Bs, with Derry accounting for over half of that figure.

"Those two realities existing in tandem is not only totally illogical but irreconcilable and fiscally irresponsible,” she stated.

The Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons said he fully recognised the depth of concern expressed by members about rising rents.

"It is something that I experience, week after week, in my constituency, through those who come to me,” he said.

The housing minister said he had taken action on rent increases.

"The private rented sector is experiencing strong and sustained rental growth. That has primarily been driven by a shortage of available properties. That is the issue that we face: supply.

"That does not mean that we have not taken action to address issues around affordability. In April last year, I introduced legislation to restrict rent increases to once in any 12-month period, with a requirement for three months' written notice. That provides important protections for tenants by offering certainty and preventing multiple or unexpected rent increases in a short time frame,” said Mr. Lyons.

But the minister raised concerns about the proposals for rent controls, claiming it could lead to landlords exiting the private rental market.

"A report commissioned by my Department on rent freezes, known as first-generation rent controls, clearly outlined the potential negative impacts of these types of controls on the sector.

"In particular, the report highlighted the risk that a large proportion of landlords might exit the private rented market and that that would result in a drop in the supply of private rented properties in an already stretched market,” he said.

Mr. Durkan pointed out that his motion had referred to third-generation rent controls which would put freezes on rent increases for tenants who are already ‘in-tenancy’.

Mr. Lyons also defended the house sales scheme.

"The housing sales scheme has undoubtedly been successful in providing people in Northern Ireland who might not otherwise have been able to buy with an affordable route into homeownership.

"While it has changed the tenure of those homes, the sales scheme has offered and still offers a valuable opportunity for those living in the social sector to acquire and remain in their home,” he said.

The motion calling on ‘the Minister for Communities to prioritise the delivery of the social housing development plan and to introduce a moratorium on the house sales scheme in order to stabilise social housing stock levels’ and further calling on ‘the Minister to explore options for the introduction of robust rent controls and a public body to regulate the rental sector and deliver a fair rental system’ was adopted with the support of Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance.

Hi. I am moving to Derry this September. Do not really know anyone there. Hoping if this is the right place connect with some people beforehand? :)

What are my options for getting from Derry to Castledowey, Glenties, or Dungloe? I am trying to travel on the 14th into Donegal County, any time in the morning. The destination options are to make it easier to find transport- meeting my uncle at one of those three later in the day.

Bus looks like it will take a long time (?) and I am not renting a car. What are my taxi options and about how much will it cost you think?

Thanks all in advance!

Does anyone know how to get an emergency dentist appointment?
I am not currently registered with a dentist but I have an abscess and the pain is horrible, pain killers aren’t helping and every dentist I’ve rang said they can’t get me in for weeks some up to September.

Had a burst pipe on our sink yesterday, water everywhere for a few minutes upstairs and there’s a big water stain tracking across the roof on the living room downstairs. Not sure of the damage caused or what it would take to repair.

Anyone recommend any insurance assessors? Anyone to go for or anyone to avoid?

Hi would any bars or pubs in Derry showing late world cup games this weekend?

Over from the Mainland for a week with a few friends and we are looking to watch England vs Mexico, any recommendations for places staying open late or where to watch?

Thanks

New flags erected in Drumahoe, I’d imagine for marching season as they do every year. Interesting to see an American flag with Charlie Kirk’s face. What’s the correlation there? Just to antagonise?

Anybody know what’s going on? 2026 and we still get this shite happening ffs 🤦‍♀️ can everyone just chill out honestly

Do they come around houses? After sending threatening letters?

Rent increase announced £100 this September, £100 last September and £50 before that.

How are you coping? Are you moving out? How are you going to find the extra money?

Anyone know where you can get it these days?

Think the place out by killea that did it is closed.