chapter house

Among treasures in the chapterhouse are the seventeenth century locks and keys of the city gates, Lord Macaulay's manuscript account of the siege, interesting paintings, and a pair of duelling pistols belonging to Frederick Hervey, fourth Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry (1730-1803). This Byronic nobleman, a flamboyant character whose name is preserved in all the Bristol Hotels in Europe, acquired the rich bishopric of Derry in 1768 and immediately began building churches and improving old ones. He spent £1000 on putting an enormous stone spire on St Columb's but it was much too heavy and had to be dismantled. Active in the Volunteer movement and a supporter of emancipation, the Earl Bishop is alos remembered for his support for Roman Catholic and nonconformist church building, including Long Tower Church a few church outside the walls. Go through Bishop's Gate to see it.