Opinion

Huge turn-outs show Derry's positive face

The enormous success of both the Maritime Festival and the Foyle Cup in Derry sent out a strongly positive message after a difficult time for the city.

An estimated 200,000 people visited Derry to enjoy the arrival and departure of the clipper global yacht races teams, while the biggest ever Foyle Cup saw over 400 underage soccer teams from as far away as the US playing 1,500 games over a similar period.

It must be accepted that the violence which took place in and around the Bogside area earlier in the month caused damage to Derry's image, but it is equally clear that the vast majority of ordinary residents in the city are determined to get on with their lives.

The 2013 City of Culture initiative demonstrated vividly how Derry has been transformed in recent decades and all the evidence is that further significant progress remains possible.