Bishop's Gate, Riverine Head

Established in 1989, the Foyle Civic Trust is a voluntary body of citizens interested in the conservation of the best features of the historic environment and the development of a fitting environment for the future. The emblem used by the Trust is the iconic sculptured head representing the River Foyle found on the keystone of the outer face of Bishop's Gate on the City Walls.

This print published by the Trust is one of a limited edition of 200 copies of an original water colour painting of the head by a Trust member, David McConaghy.

The seventeenth century Bishop's Gate was redesigned as a triumphal arch by Henry Aaron Baker (1753-1836) in 1789 on the centenary of the Siege of Derry. Edward Smyth (1743-1823) of Dublin executed the carvings on the arch including the River Foyle head. Celebrated examples of his work in Dublin are found in the Custom House, the Parliament Building in College Green, the Four Courts and the King's Inns among others.

From its vantage point on the Bishop's Gate arch on the crown of the Island of Derry the stern features of the River Foyle head gaze watchfully up the broad valley of one of Irelands most majestic rivers.

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