Derry Antique Fair

If you enjoy the thrill of sorting through tables of old china, picking up a silver brooch to examine the hallmarks, or asking a dealer what they know about the mid-century dresser propped against the wall, a day at Derry Antique Fair is worth clearing your Sunday for. It draws together dealers and private collectors, each with their own speciality, giving browsers a far wider range than any single shop could provide. Entry costs just £3 - a fair deal when you factor in the time you’ll spend poking around.

What to expect

Expect tables laid out with a broad mix: period furniture, bone china and porcelain, vintage jewellery, second-hand books, small collectibles and the occasional curio that defies easy categorisation. The standard arrangement at events like this is that dealers set their own prices, and a polite ask will often get you a little off the ticket. If you have a particular interest - coins, militaria, textiles, prints - it is worth doing a full circuit first before committing, as similar items turn up at more than one stall and comparison pays off.

Dealers at Irish and Northern Irish antique fairs tend to be knowledgeable and genuinely happy to talk about provenance and history. There is usually no pressure to buy. Arrive early for the best selection; the good finds at these events rarely last past midday.

Getting there

Derry sits at the north-west tip of Northern Ireland, about 1 hour 20 minutes’ drive from Belfast via the A6, and roughly 1 hour 45 minutes from Dublin via the M1 and A5. By train, the Belfast to Derry line (via Coleraine) runs regularly and takes around 2 hours 30 minutes into Derry’s Waterside Station, with a short bus or taxi hop into the city centre. From Donegal and the Republic, Bus Eireann runs cross-border services into the Foyle Street bus station. City-centre parking is available at Foyleside Shopping Centre and several surface car parks off the main streets - Sunday rates are generally lower than weekday.

While you’re in Derry

The city itself rewards a few extra hours. The 17th-century walls are one of the best-preserved sets of city walls in Europe, and the Bogside murals are only a short walk from the centre. There is more to see in Derry and across Co. Derry.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday 16 August 2026
• Time: 10:00am
• Admission: £3
• Venue: Derry Community Venue, Derry/Londonderry
• For updates and any booking information, check local event listings or the organiser’s social media closer to the date