Talking Derry Girls

Whether you call it the Derry Air, The Londonderry Air or most likely Danny Boy the TDG's theme song is very dear to our hearts - so when Derry singer/songwriter actor and all round credit to his Ma Damian McGinty agreed to sing it for us we were beyond lurred. Maybe if Damian is new to your - all things Derry - radar you might want to click on the first link below and do a crash course - his recent song and video. This Old Town is a love song to Derry and will help you make sense of our chat with him. 

One of the original members of music phenomenon Celtic Thunder his career started at the tender age of 14 and has taken him far beyond our "spectacular" city walls. We know all about Derry Girls but what is it like being a Derry Boy? Even if that boy beat 40,000 other entrants to gain a role in US TV phenomenon Glee. Does he reckon that Derry Girls is based on truth? and just what bombshell did he drop on our girls, to make Jeanie choke on her tea - clue it involves one of the Derry Girls cast… 

Damian McGinty - This Old Town released St Patrick’s Day 2021 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xe4ZIqhzNA

New song will be released on 30th April 2021 - Damian McGinty - https://www.damianmcginty.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/damianmcginty/
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/damianmcginty?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damianmcginty/?hl=en

Phil Coulter - https://www.philcoulter.com/

Celtic Thunder - https://www.celticthunder.com

Glee - https://glee.fandom.com/wiki/Damian_McGinty

https://www.netflix.com/title/70143843

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_(TV_series)

The Glee Project - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Glee_Project

The Kids from Fame - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kids_from_%22Fame%22

Puppy Love Damian aged 14 -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cloTlvFWFh0

Fergal Sharkey - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feargal_Sharkey

The Late Late Show RTE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkXxg6xsfvw

Derry City Football Club - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry_City_F.C.

https://www.derrycityfc.net/2021/04/new-derry-city-documentary-to-air-on-bbc/

For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

Keep up to date with us on Twitter: @TBLderrygirls

Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls

WATCH Derry Girls on Channel 4: https://www.channel4.com

On RTE (in Ireland): https://www.rte.ie/

Series 1 & 2 available on Netflix outside UK: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/derry-girls-season-2-coming-to-netflix-in-august-2019/

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 - Tell us Richard did Hitler really fancy a pied-a-terre in Derry… ?

American Base - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-49157194

Reunion in Derry - http://www.irishidentity.com/extras/hidden/stories/american.htm

Moville - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moville

The Craft Village - https://www.facebook.com/craftvillagederry/

Dance halls - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRmefVz5y0U

Up a tree in Rosemount - In Derry, basically means whereabouts unknown.

Richard Doherty - https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Richard-Doherty/a/144?fbclid=IwAR2SDkOq26_OHO_wVZl_XAg7e_qjRCjyvNN-rJ4Lz6QMaEFlJguUEEYi_tg

https://www.facebook.com/RichardDohertyHistorian/

Bombing at Messines Park - Derry - https://www.derryjournal.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/messines-park-80-years-on-the-night-the-luftwaffe-bombed-messines-park-3199470

History of the Port - https://www.londonderryport.com/history-of-the-Port

2nd World War in Derry - https://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article/447/world-war-two-in-derry

Derry and the Battle of the Atlantic - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-22507199

Maeve Kelly; Marie-Louise’s aunt - https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/70/a8861970.shtml

WW2 peoples war Derry/Londonderry - https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/user/98/u985898.shtml

Article by Richard Doherty on shirt factories - https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comment/how-original-derry-girls-wouldve-grabbed-covid-19-by-the-collar-39152376.html

For more information about Talking Derry Girls, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

The TDGs are now well and truly waterlogged as their visit to Derry continues. Where better to shelter from the downpour than their favourite Derry Bookshop? What wonders await them? In these brand new premises. Amongst the straining shelves they encounter Jenni Doherty - owner, curator and as Derry a girl as her Donegal roots will allow - I wonder if she's read any good books lately…

Jenni’s shop for information and orders  https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/LittleAcornsBookstore

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleAcornsBookstore/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/littleacornsbks?lang=en
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/876849599/little-acorns-bookstore-derry?hl=en

Clive Limpkin - Battle of the Bogside https://www.zissou.com/clivelimpkin

(also available at Little Acorns Bookstore) 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-52656318

Paddy Coyle - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-53470946

The Deceived - Lisa McGee https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jul/31/lisa-mcgee-derry-girls-the-deceived-channel-5

Derry Girls Mugs https://www.facebook.com/LittleAcornsBookstore/photos/one-of-my-favourite-ever-derry-girls-is-the-fabulously-funny-feisty-ann-mcgee-of/1884419691568391/

Tom Hanks and his typewriter collection - https://www.thethings.com/heres-why-tom-hanks-collects-typewriters/

For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

Keep up to date with us on Twitter: @TBLderrygirls

Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls

WATCH Derry Girls on Channel 4: https://www.channel4.com

On RTE (in Ireland): https://www.rte.ie/

Series 1 & 2 available on Netflix outside UK: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/derry-girls-season-2-coming-to-netflix-in-august-2019/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The TDGs all love their Ma's - as well they should. But they all have a favourite surrogate Ma, the ultimate Derry Ma - none other than Ma Mary Quinn - actor Tara Lynne O'Neill. She's the first Derry Girls cast member to join Pauline, Jeanie and Marie-Louise for a chat. There was much excitement, secrets shared and long lost memories unearthed - be warned - big bowls and half loads will be discussed - as will series 3 and the much talked about film. Would Ma Mary really abandon Gerry for George Clooney?

Tara Lynne O’Neill - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0642321/

BBC’s Eastenders - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EastEnders

https://eastenders.fandom.com/wiki/Joanne_Ryan

Rough Girls by Tara Lynne O’Neill - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54247598

Shirley Valentine at Lyric Theatre just before first Lockdown - https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/derry-girls-tara-lynne-oneill-16718749

BBC’s Line of Duty - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_Duty

Ted Hastings in Line of Duty - https://lineofduty.fandom.com/wiki/Ted_Hastings

Ted Heath - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Heath

Fields of Athenry - https://www.irishpost.com/entertainment/the-fields-of-athenry-seven-facts-about-irelands-iconic-unofficial-anthem-134614

Shirley Valentine at Lyric Theatre just before first Lockdown - https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/derry-girls-tara-lynne-oneill-16718749

The Greatest Showman; Keala Settle - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keala_Settle

BBC Sounds: Americast Talking Derry Girls make an appearance at the beginning - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09bw6zp

Emily Maitlis has been granted Derry Girl status - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Maitlis

Jon Sopel has been allowed to put Derry Girl on his business card - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Sopel

Jamie Dornan - https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/be/jamie-dornan-tipped-join-cast-19641843

For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

Keep up to date with us on Twitter: @TBLderrygirls

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Continuing their visit to Derry, Pauline, Jeanie and Marie Louise embrace the true spirit of the tourist and book themselves onto a Derry Girls walking tour of the city. They were let loose on the streets of their hometown under the ever patient eye of their tour guide Charlene McCrossan who did her very best to keep order. It was raining, a lot, and they had loads of equipment and cables to keep dry - all whilst socially distancing and trying to reign in their excitement at being back home and, more importantly, back together. What could possibly go wrong?

Martin McCrossan City Tours - and the very patient Charlene www.derrycitytours.com

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/citytoursderry?lang=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Martin-Mc-Crossan-City-Tours-111770625509874
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citytoursderry/?hl=en

Phil Coulter - The Town I loved so well https://www.philcoulter.com/a-life

The Skellington in the coat of arms - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry_City_Council

The Fountain Estate - https://en-gb.facebook.com/Visitbishopstreetandthefountain/

https://www.inyourpocket.com/belfast/Fountain-Estate-Walking-Tours_60865v

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/photography/northern-ireland-after-troubles-life-inside-fountain-a8019621.html

The Ulster Project - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Project

St Columb’s Cathedral - https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/st-columbs-cathedral-p675591

The Siege of Derry - https://www.thesiegemuseum.org

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-45599513

The Walls - they have their own twitter account - https://twitter.com/thederrywalls?lang=en

For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

Keep up to date with us on Twitter: @TBLderrygirls

Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls

WATCH Derry Girls on Channel 4:

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The latest addition to Derry's wall art is a mural of the Dalai Lama pictured with the man he calls the Derry Lama - local man Richard Moore. Richard's story is so incredible that as they say in Derry - you couldn't make it up. Blinded by a soldier's bullet on his way home from school aged 10, Richard has gone on to befriend and ultimately forgive the man who shot him. Almost 50 years and a whole lot of living later he declares himself a Derry Girl and joins Pauline, Jeanie and Marie Louise to talk about the ways in which that fateful day has changed him and how the Derry sense of humour has pervaded his life.

Richard Moore’s podcast What About You - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-about-you/id1537387388

Children in Crossfire - https://www.childrenincrossfire.org

Richard Moore meets the soldier who shot him - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-53985472

UV Arts - The Derry Lama mural - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=501772274124848

https://twitter.com/uvartscic?lang=en

Joanna Lumley’s Home Sweet Home - Episode 2 is in Scotland and Derry. May well be on Brit Box and other streaming services as well as ITV Hub

https://www.itv.com/hub/joanna-lumleys-home-sweet-home-travels-in-my-own-land/10a0674a0002

The Carlsberg Larger Adverts are really well known (just in case you are in a part of the world what they don’t exist)…. https://www.aspirantsg.com/carlsberg-wants-you-to-think-how-awesome-if-carlsberg-did/

Omagh bombing - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cvv46zylyp1t/the-omagh-bombing

For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

Keep up to date with us on Twitter: @TBLderrygirls

Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls

WATCH Derry Girls on Channel 4: https://www.channel4.com

On RTE (in Ireland): https://www.rte.ie/

Series 1 & 2 available on Netflix outside UK: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/derry-girls-season-2-coming-to-netflix-in-august-2019/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In August 2020 the TDG's packed up their suncream, umbrellas, bikinis and windcheaters and headed home to Derry. It was during those heady days when it looked like the world was getting back to normal. Derry was buzzing and Pauline, Jeanie and Marie Louise took to the streets - armed with masks and microphones on some very long socially distanced poles they accosted locals and visitors alike. Some chats were planned - others not so much… First stop on the itinerary was the iconic Derry Girls mural to meet the artist responsible: Karl Porter from UV arts. At least that was the plan - Derry however had other ideas.

The Bishop’s Gate Hotel - https://www.bishopsgatehotelderry.com/

The Walls (yes, they have twitter account) - https://twitter.com/thederrywalls?lang=en

Badger’s Bar - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186482-d2089131-Reviews-Badgers_Bar_and_Restaurant-Derry_County_Londonderry_Northern_Ireland.html

Famine trail Derry - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBBmMKnX8Bk

Visit Derry - https://www.visitderry.com/Visitor-Info/Visitor-Information-Centre

Creators of the The Derry Girls Mural UV Arts - https://www.facebook.com/uvartscic/

Martin McCrossan walking tours of Derry - http://derrycitytours.com

Vinnie Cunningham - https://twitter.com/vinnycunningham?lang=en

Seamus Heaney - http://www.seamusheaneyhome.com

John Hume - https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1998/hume/facts/

Sr Clare from the Brandywell - https://www.sisterclare.com/en/her-life/biography

Opening of the new visitor centre in Derry/Londonderry - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWE-FCd5cNg

Richard Moore - Children in Crossfire and his mural - https://www.childrenincrossfire.org/mural/

Antony Gormley (his Granda was from Derry) - https://publicart.ie/main/directory/directory/view/sculpture-for-derry-walls/3c736946413f2ecd4b72c5031422e010/

The Undertones - http://theundertones.com/_/Home.html

For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

Keep up to date with us on Twitter: @TBLderrygirls

Check out our Facebook page: 

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The one about Erin’s Diary! Guess what everyone we know is getting for Christmas this year? Once upon a time a young writer from Derry was in a foreign land, it was a strange time for a sickness had befallen the earth, but she found refuge in a church, there were no statues, stations of the cross but a table and chair and a pen and paper (or a laptop maybe with wifi and an endless supply of tea!). And she did write and behold - ERIN’S DIARY the inner thoughts, scribbles, lists and drawings were born. It’s great craic! Lisa joins the TDGs for this Christmas special where you’ll also get a few hints about what will be in series 3 (was a peek, mind). Find out who inspired Granda Joe, there’s a near fallout over the buns, and a childhood question that has plagued Lisa but only Marie-Louise can answer… The End! 

Erin’s Diary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib91eRlVxcI

https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/lisa-mcgee/erins-diary-an-official-derry-girls-book/9781841884394/

Little Acorn Books: Jenni Doherty’s shop @LittleAcornsBks - https://littleacornsbookstore.co.uk/

Writers Guild of Ireland ZEBBIE Awards Nov 2020 Lisa wins TV DRAMA award for Ep 6 Series 1 - http://script.ie/blog/

The Mark Patterson Show; BBC Radio Foyle TDGs are on again on 22nd December, if we’re spared! — https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07l5tnx

Gerry Anderson - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p071wzdt/episodes/downloads

John Hume - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44753271

Pat Ramsay - the finder of lost things…. https://www.derryjournal.com/news/people/pictures-22-weird-and-wonderful-things-derry-people-have-asked-pat-ramsey-find-or-share-688814

The story of Pantomime (because someone in USA asked us..) - https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/features/pantomime/

For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

Keep up to date with us on Twitter: @TBLderrygirls

Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls

WATCH Derry Girls on Channel 4: https://www.channel4.com

On RTE (in Ireland): https://www.rte.ie/

Series 1 & 2 available on Netflix outside UK: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/derry-girls-season-2-coming-to-netflix-in-august-2019/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Derry Girls writer and creator Lisa McGee joins the Girls and tells them why she is "obsessed" with the podcast. She describes it as "hilarious", "THE best thing" and explains why she "was annoyed that she (sic) hadn't heard it before writing Series 3". Lisa also has some suggestions about what Pauline, Jeanie and Marie Louise can cover in the podcast while we wait impatiently for Series 3.

2020 ZeBBie Awards - ‘Our Lisa’s been nominated’ (I feel we can say that now! ) 

http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4293665&tpl=archnews&force=1

Caroline Leddy - Producer Derry Girls https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0496418/

Caroline Leddy’s husband’s uncle - Brian Friel http://www.irishplayography.com/person.aspx?personid=31919

Liz Lewin - Exec Producer Derry Girls https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1157598/

Freaks and Geeks - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freaks_and_Geeks

Queer as Folk - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262985/

Russell T Davies - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0203961/

Larry David - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0202970/

OK, this Derry Girl was actually in the audience at the Stephen Colbert show on 9th January 2020 when Larry David was the guest - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cIzyYGnmSY

The Undertones - http://theundertones.com/_/Home.html

Erin’s Diary - https://www.independent.ie/videos/derry-girls-star-saoirse-monica-jackson-reads-extract-from-new-spin-off-book-erins-diary-written-by-lisa-mcgee-39407478.html

For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

Keep up to date with us on Twitter: @TBLderrygirls

Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls

WATCH Derry Girls on Channel 4: https://www.channel4.com

On RTE (in Ireland): https://www.rte.ie/

Series 1 & 2 available on Netflix outside UK:

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're discussing: Derry Girls / Series 2 / Ep6 / 'The President'

We are at the end of the beginning and President Bill Clinton is on his way to Derry. One of our three Derry Girls had an invitation to meet the man himself. One had passed the security checks to get close to him and the other was in a car park at the back of Derry's Guildhall. It's history in the making and stirs up some emotional memories and asks some probing questions. Which one of the Talking Derry Girls was in Riverdance? Which one has CIA clearance? and which one is related to Bill Clinton? (Maybe) Oh and why go to Burt when you could have gone to Muff? 

Great read about the USA involvement in the peace process by Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies - https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/jcs/article/view/11750/12521

Derry Journal article on President Clinton’s visit at the end of Derry Girls - https://www.derryjournal.com/news/will-never-be-ordinary-city-clinton-derry-1995-985673

Derry Journal article on President Clinton’s visit at the end of Derry Girls - https://www.derryjournal.com/news/will-never-be-ordinary-city-clinton-derry-1995-985673

Clinton’s visit to the Beech hill hotel - https://www.visitderry.com/Blog/ArtMID/677/ArticleID/29/Derry-Girls-Clinton-finale-leaves-us-wanting-more

Secret naval base in Derry - https://www.ireland.com/en-gb/articles/derry-ebrington-barracks/

Bill Clinton in Belfast, including the handshake with Gerry Adams - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21029865

Niall O’Dowd’s article on the Clinton visit - https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/niallodowd/the-peacemaker-bill-clintons-historic-visit-ireland

Tip O’Neill - http://www.donegaldiaspora.ie/people/tip-oneill

Oliver Cromwell in Ireland - it’s in there somewhere - great podcast (it’s episode 49) - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-short-history-of-ireland/id1514770437

Cliff Richard - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Richard

Actors: 

Paul Mallon (Dennis) - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2546951/

Bronagh Waugh (Cathy Maguire) - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2391026/

JFK’s visit to Ireland in 1963 (lots of youtube videos as well, far too many to list here) -

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