Over 160 years of military history came to an end in Derry yesterday when, for the last time, a British army foot patrol left Ebrington Barracks, headquarters of the 8th Brigade.
As and from midnight last night, the 29-acre site which overlooks the River Foyle became the property of the North's First and Deputy First Minister.
The barracks, which have been home to all three armed services since 1841, were first occupied by the 8th Brigade in 1970. That was one year after the British army was deployed onto the streets of Derry following the battle of the Bogside by the then Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
The last regiment to be based in the barracks, the Green Howards, will now take up duty in Afghanistan.
The regiment's commanding officer, Lieut Col Nick Watt, said the closure of the barracks was both symbolic and emotional.