The TDGs went on a road trip to the Seamus Heaney Homeplace as a belated big Birthday treat for Jeanie. The plan was an evening of song and chat with their long time favourite, Brian Kennedy. He of the lovely hair and lovelier voice (check out Ep 9 This and That!)

The journey redefined Carpool Karaoke. (Sorry Brian) Pauline demands that the other two allow her to inform Brian of her role in his career trajectory and Marie-Louise reminisces about taking him hostage en-route to the Lake Isle of Inisfree.

Brian's life has taken many roads since then, a cancer survivor, he is an advocate for the importance of sharing health issues and speaks openly about how his “twin” uroscopy and colostomy pouches saved his life just in time for covid and a quadruple bypass to ravage his body again. To namedrop an early album, he is now “A Better Man”. Full of fun, joy and boldness. First dates, tattoos and bus passes are all on the menu as the girls interrupt dinner and make him late for his soundcheck…

Brian Kennedy - https://www.briankennedy.co.uk/

Ep 9 - https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-9-this-n-that

Seamus Heaney Homeplace - https://seamusheaneyhome.com/

There is a saying in Derry…”Say Nah hin”. The Girls very nearly had nothing to say this week, at least nothing that could be used in evidence. 

Maybe it was the ghost of Ballymena boy Liam Neeson - “There is no tape”

Thankfully their guest Declan Lawn was happy to go on the record when Pauline and Jeanie caught up with him in his teenage stomping ground of Ballymena.

Series 3 of “Blue Lights” is midway through its UK run with the box set available to binge for those of us with zero self control. Don't worry, there are no spoilers here. 

Jeanie, Pauline and Marie-Louise discuss just how menacing a Northern Irish accent can be and Pauline calls for ‘backup’. While the burning question is…can you really win a Bafta in a raffle?

NOTES: 

The Divine Comedy - https://thedivinecomedy.com/

Brian Bilston - https://brianbilston.com/

Blue Lights - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0f2cxpr

Louise Gallagher - Ep105 https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/ep-105-original-derry-girl-louise-gallagher-on-creating-blue-lights

Declan Lawn on series 2 Ep103 

https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-103-the-blue-lights-are-flashing

Even though we all know that being a Derry Girl is “a state of mind”, for the 3 TDGs it is very much the result of their own shared history. 

Derry is in their DNA so when the City's newest Museum experience was announced, with the name DERRY DNA, they needed to know more…mainly because it would have implications for the hugely successful Derry Girls Experience.

Jeanie and Marie-Louise met up with Margaret Edwards at The Tower Museum, armed with Pauline’s Good Exercise Book, full of searching and relevant questions. They quickly got distracted by the shiny exhibits and gift shop offerings. 

Margaret, ever the professional, managed to keep some order and explained what the Derry/Londonderry on the North Atlantic Museum will offer. A celebration of Derry culture and heritage focusing on the City's maritime and social history. 

Surely there will be a place in all that for The Derry Girl's Experience? There are, after all, a lot of exhibits still in storage. Margaret has the answers.

NOTES: 

Plans for new DNA museum - https://www.derrystrabane.com/news/history-in-the-making-as-work-begins-on-dna-museum

Tower museum - https://towermuseumcollections.com/

The TDGs have a bit of back catalogue of the Tower Museum and opening of the Derry Girls Experience as well as bit of history about the overseas forces who were based in the City. 

Ep 74 Making an Exhibition (for ourselves)

https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-74-making-an-exhibition-for-ourselves

The TDGs are always happiest when examining their favourite show. This particular episode has been kept under wraps since November last year when the girls were given exclusive behind the scenes access to the forthcoming Derry Girls Experience. 

Ep 75 Museum Pieces 

https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-75-museum-pieces

The TDGs get a preview of the Derry Girls Experience - for THE TAPE. The countdown is now fully on for the official opening on 3rd July. And we’ll be there..

Ep 76 The Jamie Lee Experience 

https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-76-the-jamie-lee-experience

Derry Girls Experience : Opening Night. 

The red carpet was out, the pre ordered sunshine was ready and our Golden Ticket winners were standing by. 

All we needed was the Derry Girl herself - Jamie Lee O'Donnell - poised to assist the Mayor in the cutting of the ribbon. 

The Derry Girls Experience is now open in the City's Tower Museum and the TDGs were there on launch night to capture all the magic and madness. 

Ep77 The Experience Part 2

https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-77-the-experience-part-2

With too much excitement to cram into just one episode the TDGs become a BOGOF or is it a miniseries? Jeanie wonders if her QR code could lead to unfortunate misunderstandings and Pauline gets chatty with the press pack as they await Jamie Lee O’Donnell.

Ep20 The Forces are with us 

https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-20-the-forces-are-with-us

The sun is shining on Derry's "spectacular" Walls and the TDG's are on the loose with their microphone soaking up the atmosphere and making new pals. Derry folk are always up for a chat and a bit of craic. A couple of brothers prove that everybody really does know everybody in Derry and remind the girls that Derry has a very rich history when it comes to overseas forces. Army, Navy and Air Forces from all over the world were based in and around Derry before, during and after WW2.

Not even an all-nighter and 23 cans of stimulating liquid could make our girls experts in this field but luckily they know a man who is - Derry man Richard Doherty, a British and Irish military historian and author of around 30 books, is going to fit right in.

The Talking Derry Girls love a celebration and when that celebration involves a strong, vibrant, courageous woman they're totally on board.

Back in episode 30 the Girls talked about legendary pilot Amelia Earhart and her connections to Derry, listen back - you'll thank us. 

Recently Pauline, Jeanie and Marie-Louise caught up with the Amelia Earhart Legacy Association as they played host to some visiting dignitaries from Atchison, Kansas, birthplace of the record breaking pilot. 

Plans are afoot for the 95th anniversary of Amelia's historic flight across the Atlantic to have a Derry connection theme, building up to the centenary in 2032. The Kansas contingent are keen to build the Derry connection into their festivities and the Talking Derry Girls needed to know more.

Kansas, isn't that the place you can get to by clicking your heels together? The girls are searching out Ruby slippers as we speak …As Jeanie has always said -There's no place like home.

Amelia Earhart and Derry https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-57198081

Ep30 - https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-30-amelia-earhart-in-derry

Amelia Earhart The Derry Legacy - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064785603960

Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum FB page - https://www.facebook.com/AEHangarMuseum/

Little Acorns Bookstore - https://www.facebook.com/LittleAcornsBookstore/?locale=en_GB

The Talking Derry Girls are settling into their new normal. If you can call an early morning interview with Derry's local radio station normal.

A trip to Radio Foyle brings back memories and has the girls revisiting past chats. 

Jeanie wonders if she really did talk herself into returning to Derry and Marie Louise has some romantic plans involving an axe.

Maybe Pauline can bring some out of town sanity to the conversation. Who are we kidding, the girls are talking… buckle up!

NOTES: 

BBC Radio Foyle interview with Elaine McGee - North West Today (around 39.40 mins into programme).  - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002k3cn

Episodes referred to: 

Ep 99 - Ninety Nine Red Balloons from U.S. to Us (Motherchuckers) - https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-99-ninety-nine-lead-balloons-from-u-s-to-us

Ep 87 - And hope and history rhyme. (The Big Sing) - https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-87-and-hope-and-history-rhyme

Where are the Talking Derry Girls when you need them?

Welcome back! The girls, Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr, have missed you. But where have they been in the past year or so?

Lisa McGee could have some answers. If only she could engage the services of three aging super-sleuths to search out the truth. Lisa, the TDGs are ready when you need them!

The girls caught up with Lisa at the Belfast Comedy Festival way back in May and got the lowdown on where she's at with her new eagerly anticipated Netflix comedy Drama “How to Get to Heaven From Belfast”. 

The mystery of the missing Talking Derry Girls is discussed. No sleuthing needed, Pauline likes work too much to retire, Jeanie likes Derry too much to live anywhere else and Marie-Louise has found her Granda Joe.

If the guitarist is back… we'll cue the music…

NOTES: 

How to get to Heaven from Belfast (what did Lisa McGee did next) -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31709373/

https://about.netflix.com/en/news/lead-cast-announced-for-lisa-mcgee-how-to-get-to-heaven-from-belfast

The Traitors - Ireland hosted by Siobhan McSweeney (only available to watch on RTE at the moment) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34060796/

The Traitors UK - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23743442/

Hope Street with Tara Lynne O’Neill (Ma Mary) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011yc0 - britbox.com 

Ep 80 - Talking Derry Girls where Lisa McGee first talked to us about ‘How to get to Heaven from Belfast’. 

Episode 106 - Derry Rocks the Boat

We are a world record breaking City ! 

And we did it with style - courtesy of Micky Doherty, diplomacy - courtesy of the Nobel Institute and a total lack of grace - courtesy of the Talking Derry Girls.

The Mayor and her chosen charities were in attendance, bravo to Foyle Hospice and The Ryan McBride Foundation for all their important and valued work. 

The representatives of the Norwegian Nobel Institute were in town and were able to witness the Legacy of John Hume’s Peace Prize first hand…Did former SDLP leader Mark Durkan really sit them amongst a crowd of Derry Wans on Shipquay Street? What did they make of Rock the Boat and could Micky Doherty be in line for a Nobel Prize?

Pauline celebrates her big Birthday, Marie-louise introduces her eldest daughter to the perils of Rock the Boat and Jeanie discovers that she and Mark Durkan introduced same sex marriage to Derry by both marrying the same person…this is Derry …all together “…Rock the Boat, Don’t Rock the Boat…’’!!

NOTES: 

Rock the Boat (Derry world record) - 

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/people/we-did-it-derry-smashes-guinness-world-record-for-rock-the-boat-4616653

Mayor’s Charities - ROCK THE BOAT CHALLENGE - for Mayor Patrica Logue’s charities (Foyle Hospice and Ryan McBride Foundation). 

https://foylehospice.com/rock-the-boat/

Foyle Hospice - 

https://foylehospice.com/

Ryan McBride Foundation - 

https://mcbride5foundation.com/

Mayor Patricia Logue swimming challenge - 

https://www.derrystrabane.com/news/mayor-takes-the-plunge-in-aid-of-local-charities

Mark Durkan - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Durkan

Norwegian Nobel Institute 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Nobel_Institute

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olav_Nj%C3%B8lstad

John Hume’s medals - 

https://www.visitderry.com/blog/read/2022/12/john-humes-peace-prizes-bequeathed-to-derry-on-public-display-in-guildhall-b327

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63900189

Derry Girls Exhibition - 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66088882

Referendums and Good Friday Agreement - 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-61968177

TDGs Ep 42 Finale - Good Friday Agreement 

TDGs Ep 100 chat with Lisa McGee about that Finale Episode. 

WARNING: CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 3 OF BLUE LIGHTS

The Derry Girls - Blue Lights connections are well and truly there if you dig deep. The TDGs are joined by Derry Girl Louise Gallagher who had the original idea for Blue Lights. She also has a feature film under her belt: 

‘A Bump along the Way’ and an award winning short film ‘Rough’. As well as having her own production company, Louise works for Hat Trick (who made Derry Girls) developing new NI drama and comedy writing talent. Without giving away any major spoilers we talk about Blue Lights, Derry Girls, kissing slurping noises in films and whether you go up, down or over the town! 

Notes: 

Louise Gallagher - 

https://www.gallagherfilms.co.uk/about

A Bump Along the Way - 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9198724/

Tess McGowan - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10235159/

Bronagh Gallagher - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0302345/

The Commitment in Derry Girls - 

https://www.bronaghgallagher.com/

TIFF - https://www.tiff.net/

Rough (award winning short film IFTA) - 

https://www.roughfilm.com/

KIN - 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13444408/

Derek Thompson aka Robin Graham - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0860054/

Summary of Blue Lights Ep 3 - Love Knows 

https://www.whattowatch.com/features/blue-lights-season-2-episode-3-recap-love-knows

Black Mountain - 

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/divis-and-the-black-mountain

Bronagh Taggart (writer of Ep 3 Blue Lights and also in Derry Girls) - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846499/

Jonathan Harden aka Jonty - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2325042/

Madam last discovery - 

https://www.facebook.com/p/Madams-Last-Discovery-100086459482698/?paipv=0&eav=AfZN6xJuZzpC3oeyQEQPjjUWs96uLkUYJX3zkgcegN73fCPsDWjbxfO6hlR6uX42f-4&_rdr

Dea Matrona Band (who feature in Blue Lights Ep6) https://deamatrona.co.uk/

WAVE (Trauma Counselling) - 

https://wavetraumacentre.org.uk/

Colin Davidson NI artist Silent Testimony - 

https://irishartscenter.org/event/colin-davidson-silent-testimony

https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp134355/colin-davidson

Dearbháile McKinney aka Aisling and wee Aunt Sarah in Reunion Episode - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9130037/

Hannah McClean aka Jen Robinson - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6007345/

The Land of Saints and Sinners - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15782690/

(Starring Liam Neeson and few actors from Blue Lights and Derry Girls) 

Hat Trick - https://www.hattrick.co.uk/

Roma Downey - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roma_Downey

A Bump Along the Way - 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bump-Along-Way-Bronagh-Gallagher/dp/B083ZR497K

Rough - 

https://www.roughfilm.com/film

Jazz Festival -https://cityofderryjazzfestival.com/

ROCK THE BOAT CHALLENGE - for Mayor Patrica Logue’s charities (Foyle Hospice and Ryan McBride Foundation). 

https://foylehospice.com/rock-the-boat/

EP 3 - Jeanie’s dog Duke and the army 

EP 81 and 82 Shirt Tales part 1&2 Factory Girls mouthwashers 

The Blue Lights obsession continues.

WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR EP 2 BLUE LIGHTS. 

Never record a podcast on an empty stomach! The Talking Derry Girls sausage roll fondness returns, what even is a capsicum and chilli jam? It's a long way from avocado on toast we were reared.

Maybe the girls need to re-evaluate their breakfast menu options as they discuss the possibility of running their own B & B in Derry City centre.

Maybe they'd be better buying the Blue Lights pub -The Loyal - currently for sale in Belfast. POA (Price on Application)...what is it with POA? Do you want us to buy the place or not…? Coach parties

welcome. Breakfast not included - POA!

NOTES: 

Blue Lights - Ep2 Iceberg 

https://www.whattowatch.com/features/blue-lights-season-2-episode-2-recap-iceberg

Lundy - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Lundy

Ferry Clever - https://ferryclever.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/ferryclever/reel/C5-2icuI3cs/

UV Arts (creators of the Derry Girls mural) - 

https://www.facebook.com/uvartscic/?locale=en_GB

IFTA - https://www.ifta.ie/

Richard Dormer aka Gerry Cliff - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0233807/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UODdDnCihQ4

Curran (half way between Belfast and Derry) - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curran,_County_Londonderry

Ponderosa (the highest pub in Ireland) - 

https://theponderosabar.com/

The Loyal Pub for sale - 

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/blue-lights-bar-featured-in-hit-bbc-series-up-for-sale/a1505450129.html

Frank Blake aka Shane Bradley - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8984706/

Kenneth Brannagh - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000110/

1987 Public Enemy - 

https://variety.com/1994/legit/reviews/public-enemy-1200439459/

Late 80s Look Back in Anger - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look_Back_in_Anger_(1989_film)

Hope Street - 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14354984/

Tara Lynne O’Neil joining BBC’s Hope Street as an inspector - 

https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/hope-street-series-four-filming-starts

Claire Allan writer - The Affair - 

https://www.claireallan.com/

Desmond Eastwood aka Murray Canning - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5708540/

Martin McCann aka Stevie Neil - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564901/

Lambeg Drum - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambeg_drum

Battle of the Somme (Thiepval) - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiepval_Memorial

Hamilton Flute Band - 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-36671190

Rock the Boat (The world attempt 4th May 1130) Mayor’s charities - Foyle Hospice and Ryan McBride Foundation get registered - 

https://foylehospice.com/rock-the-boat/

 or email 

[email protected] 

for more details.

Mayor Patricia Logue’s charities - 

https://www.derrystrabane.com/about-council/mayor/mayor-s-charity

Stephen Lawrence Inquiry - 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68877983 The Met Police has agreed, dormant inquiry to be reopened.

Latest news on Bloody Sunday - 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68854561

EP 57 - Porn star Martinis featured in this TDGs episode about the Legenderry Food Festival and the Derry Girls foodie tour 

EP 101 - Episode featuring Rock the Boat 

Declan Lawn talks Series 2 of everyone's favourite cop show.

Spoiler alert, you may want to watch Episode 1 of the new series before listening as the girls do discuss it . All other eps are safe as co writer/ co creator Declan has promised to return once the whole series has aired…there are so many questions yet to ask.

Series 2 launches in Australia on Thursday 18th April, American audiences will have to wait another 6 weeks, date as yet tbc.

With lots of questions the Girls couldn't ask - spoilers - they still managed to put the thumbscrews on Declan to discuss how much URST will be in series 2 and if any of it becomes RST (that's unresolved sexual tension for anyone who hasn't heard Episode 67 where the girls talk to him about Series 1)

Not sure if the topics are connected but there is also a lively discussion about the contents of Stevie’s lunchbox. All the big questions are answered here …

Notes:

IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO WATCH EP 1 OF BLUE LIGHTS BEFORE LISTENING. 

Blue Lights - Ep1 Series 3; This too shall pass 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14466018/

Blue Lights series two promises 'absolute chaos'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68770877

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/apr/15/blue-lights-series-two-review-last-years-breakout-police-hit-is-as-beautifully-tense-as-ever

URST - unresolved sexual tension 

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=urst

RST - resolved sexual tension! 

Seamus O’Hara aka Lee Thompson - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5339108/

Frank Blake aka Constable Shane Bradley - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8984706/

President Bill Clinton’s speech in Derry 

https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/peace/docs/pres2.htm

Rev Ian Paisley - 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/12/the-rev-ian-paisley

Historic cases in Northern Ireland - 

https://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/case-studies/northern-irelands-past.html

Culture Cafe (Marie-Louise’s programme) BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle/Sounds - guest this week was Eoin O’Callaghan who created the music for Blue Lights - 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001y9yb

Catherine Grimes - music supervisor 

https://www.what-song.com/music-supervisor/catherine-grimes

Louise Gallagher - 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5644255/

Soak - Derry song writer - 

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/02/soak-bridie-monds-watson

Ferry Clever - 

https://ferryclever.co.uk/

Stephen Walker - 

https://www.stephenwalker.uk/

Historic cases in Northern Ireland - 

https://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/case-studies/northern-irelands-past.html

WAVE - 

https://wavetraumacentre.org.uk/

We discussed Series 1 Blue Lights in Eps 66 and 67 of TDGs. Declan Lawn was our guest in Ep 67.