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The Old Pier The town of Moville is a picturesque resort town on the banks of Lough Foyle which in the past has been a popular holiday destination for visitors from Derry city and beyond. Moville seems to have two Gealic meanings translating as either ‘Bun an Phobail’ meaning ‘Foot of the Foyle’ or ‘Magh Bhile’ meaning ‘Plain of the Ancient Tree’.
In 1768 Samuel Montgomery, a rich merchant who had served as Sheriff of Derry City in 1754 bought the land that the present town of Moville stands upon and proceeded to build ‘New Park House’ which became the Montgomery family residence in Moville. New Park House was later inherited by Bishop Sir Henry Montgomery, father of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery or ‘Monty’. Monty later became one of the most successful Generals of the Second World War and received the title of Viscount Montgomery of Alamein after his famous battle of the same name. The beautiful park that covers ten acres and runs along the shoreline which is known locally as ‘The Green’ was a gift from Bishop Montgomery to the people of Moville as well as the series of fine walks also has a tennis court, play area and pitch and putt course. Moville also has a long association with shipping along the Foyle with the first Steamboat service between Derry and Moville beginning in 1832 and the development in the 1860s of Moville as a regular point of departure for emigrants on the Anchor Line ships from Derry to America and Canada.t was from the small pier near the old Anchor Bar in Moville rather than the nearby larger Carrickatory Pier built in 1847 that people who were emigrating from Inishowen were brought out by small local tenders to board the large ships that would take them on to Boston or New York. Some never to see their families or Inishowen ever again. What is locally believed the oldest bridge in Ireland can be seen at Gulladuff House. It has variously dated to between the 6th and the 12th century with wattle marks visible on the underside of the arch. Every year in August, Moville has it’s annual Regatta and famous Sea Angling Festival and in September hosts the Foyle Oyster Festival, a popular local attraction.
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