My wife and I are planning to stay two nights in Londonderry. We like shops, pubs, good restaurants.
Which side of the river do you recommend, the west or east side. Thank you!

Central for your requests, but I'd be staying in Portrush

Me too - Portrush or maybe Ballycastle.

Just want to recommend a book set in Londonderry. It's Reading in the Dark, by Seamus Dean. It was shortlisted for the Booker some years back and deals with growing up Catholic and Republican.

We are staying in Port Stewart the prior two nights. Are you suggesting that Londonderry is not that great of a town to stay in? If that is not the case I was hoping that someone could recommend which side of the river to stay as I am sure both towns are different, similar to Budapest.
Thank you again for your time in responding to my question.

Keith

Its like saying is Dublin better North or South of the river. Its more important to local rivalry than an outside visitor. Find your self a decent place that suits your budget and taste but whilst doing it ask yourself why you are moving under an hour down the road round a corner? I don't know your full itinerary so maybe there is a reason.

http://www.cityhotelderry.com/ I would stay here.

Thank you Tony. We have 17 days to see the northern portion of Ireland, using Galway to Dublin as the midline. We previously traveled the southern portion. I'm using the Portstewart base for two days to check out the Antrim coastal area, and thinking of staying in Londonderry to check out that region. Here's out itinerary: Fly into Dublin drive to New Castle 1st night, Belfast 2 nights, Portstewart 2 nights, Londonderry or Letterkenny area 2 nights, Donegal 2 nights, Castlebar 2 nights, Clifden 1, I have three nights to fill before getting back to Dublin where we will sleep the night before rather close to the Dublin airport. (already been to Galway, and Dublin) Any suggestions would be most grateful. Thank you for your time and insight.

Keith

Oh! We plan on being in Ireland in May.

Keith

Portstuart works for the north coast sights. You could have practically a full day for Derry between Portstuart and Letterkenny.

Clifden deserves 2 nights as a touring base for the Connemara so leaves 2 nights unaccounted? You could absorb those into what you have or use them on the way over in the Midlands, Roscommon, Athlone, Birr, Tullamore etc etc depending on interests.

Possible points of interest on https://goo.gl/UL09QA & https://goo.gl/xrDQtD

We stayed at a lovely B&B just outside Limavady for 3 nights. First day we "did" the Amtrim coast as far east as the rope bridge and got back to Limavady in time for Saturday evening Mass. Then on Sunday we drove the Inishowen 100.

Oh, the B&B was Ballycarton House.

You would be close enough to Londonderry or Derry. We took a walking tour on the way to Limavady.

Thank you Tony and Jaja, I appreciate your recommendations and will look to stay two nights in Clifden and look into the B&B.

Keith