Back in November ‘23 the TDGs chatted with award winning photographic artist Deirdre Brennan. (Ep.88). Deirdre was working on her latest piece “Looking for Brigid” in honour of Ireland's female patron Saint Brigid.

Deirdre set up her camera in Derry's Playhouse and welcomed Brigids, Bridies, Brids and all variations thereof to tell their stories and pose .

Did she find Brigid? Was she a Saint or a Goddess? Or maybe that ethereal celestial creature …a Derry Girl. 

The TDG’s are back and they are channelling their inner Brigid. 

NOTES: 

Deirdre Brennan - https://deirdrebrennan.ie/

https://www.instagram.com/deirdre_brennan_photographer/p/C2kHm3JMoY2/

Looking for Brigid - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67213788

https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/News/St-Brigids-Day

https://www.instagram.com/deirdre_brennan_photographer/p/C2kHm3JMoY2/

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2024/feb/05/saint-patrick-beer-brewing-brigid-ale-ireland

Talking Derry Girls episodes:  

https://podfollow.com/1518036400

Ep56 - All about St Brigid and the campaign to have a public holiday on 1st Feb in Ireland. 

Ep88 - Deirdre Brennan tells us about her photography project to capture modern day Brigids.  

When 3 becomes 2: Pauline and Jeanie are left feeling a bit like Take That after “Robie” left. Marie-Louise is sick and the girls are left pondering on past glories, or should that be, stories?

A three year old advent calendar provides inspiration as well as some timely festive advice. What is the perfect sausage roll recipe? How to deal with a real life Uncle Colm and do not, whatever you do, take a Christmas pudding through airport security.

Marie - Louise reminisces about how she was once in a panto trio with Lisa McGee and Nadine Coyle and the girls discuss how they are getting David Ireland (aka Clare's Da) for Christmas. Cue the sleighbells.

NOTES: 

Indecent Proposal 

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

Ulster American - 

https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/ulster-american-review-woody-harrelson-andy-serkis-and-louisa-harland-lead-a-five-star-revival_1558307/

NOTES ON TALKING DERRY GIRLS CLIPS.. 

1/ EP14 - It’s Lisa McGee (oh yes it is) TDGs Christmas special Dec 2020

2/ EP1 - DEAR DIARY - Bronagh Gallagher (The Commitment) 

3/ EP3 - WEEPING STATUES & WEE DEAD DOGS - Exam prep TDGs style! 

4/ EP9 - THIS ’N THAT - the fake news polar bear. 

5/ EP9 - THIS ’N THAT - The Blue Nile concert with a ‘date’.

6/ EP9 - THIS ’N THAT - Brian Kennedy 

7/ EP3 - WEEPING STATUES & WEE DEAD DOGS - The Wee Dog part 1 (you have to listen to complete episode for Part 2 of the story. 

8/ EP5 - HOLIDAYS & STOWAWAYS - The Christmas Cake and security. 

9/ EP? - MYSTERY CLIP - we can’t remember for the life of us which TDGs episode this was in! 

10/ EP4 - IT’S A LOAD OF WALLS - Marie-Louise in Cork 

11/ EP8 - DON’T LOSE THE HEAD - The child of Prague 

12/ EP11 - BALLGOWNS AND LETDOWNS - nude sunbathing in Donegal

13/ EP12 - WE’RE ALL DERRY GIRLS NOW, HI - Marie-Louise, her Dad and the President of USA 

14/ EP 12 - WE’RE ALL DERRY GIRLS NOW, HI - filming the Clinton scene

15/ EP2 - WHAT’S YOURS? - Colm at Christmas 

wwww.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

We are “in the mouth of Christmas” as they say in Derry, and the Talking Derry Girls still aren't convinced by the festive cheer. Jeanie worries that she peaked too soon and Marie-Louise is afraid that too much time around Pauline has turned her inner Grinch outward. Does anyone ever actually drink mulled wine?

In what can only be described as an ambush, Marie-Louise and Jeanie meet up with some very well travelled listeners. Erik and Greta have spread the word of our podcast as far afield as Vietnam…. After all that they deserved to be treated better than this! The visitors embrace the full on Derry experience, with the longest of goodbyes, an introduction to everybody knows everybody and some helpful guidance on the best selfie spot for the Derry Girls Mural. There is much to discuss, from the cultural nuances of the Podcast to the comforting voices of the hosts. But first can the ‘E’ for explicit rating - we sometimes merit - be due in any small way to Marie-Louise's fluffy Muff…

NOTES: 

Radio Foyle - Derry’s Yanks https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001tr8y

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

Bishopsgate Hotel - https://www.bishopsgatehotelderry.com/

Visit Derry - https://www.visitderry.com/

Everglades Hotel - https://www.evergladeshotelderry.com/dining/afternoon-tea/

Charlene McCrossan and Derry City Tours - https://www.derrycitytours.com/

References to previous episodes. (Go and have a listen if you haven’t already) 

Ep 45 - There really is NO Tape 

Ep 46 - For the Tape - Ma Mary 

Are the Talking Derry Girls ready to spread some Christmas joy?

Maybe a chat with Charlene can get their jingles jangling. A lot has happened since we last chatted with the UK's youngest ‘Blue Badge’ accredited tour guide. She has been spreading the Derry word around the world and tourism in the City has continued to grow from strength to strength.

Not sure where Charlene stands on gratuitous use of sleigh bells but the TDG's need all the help they can get to conjure up their festive sparkle. Is if even Christmas if you aren't wrestling pine needles out of your nethers? Ho Ho Ho release those bells…

NOTES: 

Charlene McCrossan: Derry Walking Tours 

https://www.derrycitytours.com/

Walter the Skeleton on the City’s coat of arms 

https://voicemap.me/tour/derry-londonderry/derrie-danders-a-walk-through-the-walled-city-s-dark-and-haunted-history/sites/tower-museum-magazine-gate-finish

EP15 - Staycation; going way back to August 2020 when we first met Charlene and did a walk round as pretend tourists in the rain!  

City of Derry International choir festival film of Derry Girls Big Sing 

https://derrychoirfest.com/

Liam Neeson auditioning to be Santa 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqG621-drmk

The Talking Derry Girls knew there was no way to beat Lisa McGee's latest exceptional win, but that didn't stop them heading to Dublin for the Irish Podcast Awards. Double nominees, the girls had a title to defend, Arts and Culture Gold Award winners of 2022, plus they were also nominated in the Best Interview category.

Sparkles were donned, eyeliner was winged AND smudged as the Talking Derry Girls took over a posh hotel rest room, emerging resplendent in their red carpet ready tee shirts. The great and the wonderful of the Irish Podcast world were waiting for a night of glamour that would end in a waterlogged motorway truckstop toilet.

That’s showbiz …

NOTES 

Derry Girls series 3 wins Internation Emmy in NYC - 

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/tv/lisa-mcgees-reaction-derry-girls-28144059

The Irish Podcast Awards - 

https://www.theirishpodcastawards.ie/results-2023

The Cine Mile - Best Arts and Culture Podcast 2023

https://podfollow.com/1110145052

The Troubles - Best History Podcast 2023 AND Best overall podcast 2023 (Oisin Feeney) 

 https://podfollow.com/1500971966

Where is my Mind - Best interview podcast 2023 with Niall Breslin 

https://podfollow.com/1654047988

“A teenage dream’s so hard to beat" …”

Lyrics from “Teenage Kicks”, the punk anthem from Derry’s own The Undertones. 45 years after the release of the song, the band has been immortalised on a wall overlooking THE historic City walls. Who better to create the new artwork than the man behind the Derry Girls mural, Karl Porter from UV Arts?

The Talking Derry Girls caught up with Karl beside the new mural.

He explains how the artwork was created and tells the girls that they really need to talk to the solicitors who commissioned the tribute. Greg McCartney explains his thinking and how the mural has been dedicated to well known local punk Micky Griffiths.

45 years may be a long time to wait for the Derry Boys’ tribute but maybe the band’s sell out gigs in Derry, Belfast and Dublin this weekend could explain why they are worthy subjects.

What do bemused international tourists make of it all …?

Notes 

Series 3 - Derry Girls nominated for an International Emmy Award - 

https://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/news/lisa-mcgees-derry-girls-nominated-for-international-emmy-award/.  

(Spoiler They won! As you’ll hear in Ep92) 

Undertones - 

https://www.theundertones.com/

https://www.last.fm/music/The+Undertones/+wiki

John Peel - 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/oct/26/artsnewstemporary.media

John Peel’s grave

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_Peel%27s_grave,_Great_Finborough,_Suffolk_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1162596.jpg

Larry Doherty Journal Derry -https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-31725059

Micky Griffiths - 

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/mickey-griffiths-a-life-less-ordinary-1326596

Karl Porter UV arts - 

https://www.facebook.com/uvartscic who created the Undertones Mural as well as the now world famous Derry Girls Mural. 

Derry based Photographer, James Whorriskey - 

https://www.facebook.com/JWPics/

Storyteller of the street - 

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=storytellerofthestreet 

(and great friend of the TDGs podcast).

It is, unfortunately, not that often that the Talking Derry Girls find themselves on home soil together. Even then getting the three of them in the same place can prove to be an epic task.

This visit Pauline and Jeanie went rogue on the Streets searching out some “old friends" of the Podcast. Christopher Ferry was first in their sights this week, his Derry Girls competition runs until mid December and it’s a belter. We promise not to sulk if we don’t win.

On a more serious note Pauline caught up with Morgan Young from the Downpatrick and County Down Railway Museum. Their site and exhibits have been hit by catastrophic flooding and they are in desperate need of assistance both physical and financial. Any help at all could help get the Derry Girls train back on the tracks.

Extra Extra, Blue Lights Extras. No spoilers here but Jeanie and Pauline were ready for their close-ups and Declan Lawn kept his word and they received “THE” call. Nothing else can be revealed - there really was “no tape” and anyway they are having too much fun keeping Marie-Louise in the dark about their adventure. Cue the music and fade to black…

Notes: 

Ralph McTell -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_McTell

Blue Lights -https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14466018/

Ep 66 and 67 of TDGs 

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

Derry Girls train (which we visited in Ep78 of TDGs) has been badly damaged by floods along with all the other stock at Downpatrick & County Down Railway

https://www.downrail.co.uk/flood/

https://www.downrail.co.uk/get-involved/become-a-member/

https://www.downrail.co.uk/donate/

Derry Born and based, the formidable documentary filmmaker tells the Talking Derry Girls about her latest film. Currently showing at selected cinemas across the UK and Ireland, "Stolen" captures the anguish, anger and the horrors surrounding Ireland’s Mother and Baby Institutions. 

A true Derry Girl Margo has a back catalogue of work which carries social injustice, particularly the rights of women, at its core. The scandal that surrounded these "homes'' which has only come to light in recent years has sent ripples and shockwaves around the world. Babies separated from their mothers and sent for adoption, trafficked and sold into servitude. The unimaginable cruelty has been the subject of a Government enquiry with much of the horror still left untold or recognised. 

In one mother's words "She took him off me, turned her back and walked away" is just one of the babies taken for adoption without his mother's consent. Just one of thousands of stories which may never be told. "Stolen" gives a voice to some of those lost children and their mothers.

Pregnancy in Catholic Ireland was the theme of Margo's 1990 film "Hush a Bye Baby". Set in 1980's Derry it showed the harsh realities of teenage pregnancy. How a baby conceived in the innocence of young love was feared more than a cancer diagnosis. The film itself has glimpses of what we all grew to know and love in "Derry Girls", though as she readily admits herself "not as many laughs". Margo's priest is very reminiscent of Father Peter…but then Father Peter is very like a lot of priests…

Margo has a tale or two to tell about how Sinead O'Connor came to appear in the film - "there wasn't a lot of call for bald headed schoolgirls in Derry at the time". There is also the secret to the perfect sausage roll and did they dare ask about clitoris allsorts…

Margo Harkin 

Besom Productions 

Aosdana

Hush a bye Baby (1990) 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102080/

Stolen (2023) review in Guardian 

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/01/stolen-review-chilling-account-of-irelands-mother-and-baby-homes-horror

Derry Film and Video workshop

Field Day Theatre Company 

Brian Friel 

Fear of Gods - Derry band, Jim Curran who worked with Margo Harkin suggested a young up and coming singer/songwriter to do the music for Margo’s film Hush a bye Baby. (1989) https://fanningsessions.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/fear-of-gods/

Bronagh Gallagher - The Commitment from the Finale of Derry Girls.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronagh_Gallagher

We also had a chat about Bronagh who turned up at Marie-Louise’s Mother’s doorstep as a child wanting to learn how to be an actor! 

Ep 1 Talking Derry Girls 

Ann Lovett's death came just four months after the outcome of a divisive abortion referendum in which a two-thirds majority voted to enshrine the right to life of the unborn in the constitution, creating confusion over where that left the rights of the mother. Jan 31 1984 co Longford https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/ann-lovett-death-of-a-strong-kick-ass-girl-1.3429792

Abortion referendum in Ireland 1983 https://theconversation.com/abortion-the-story-of-suffering-and-death-behind-irelands-ban-and-subsequent-legalization-182812

The Mother and Baby Institution in Tuam 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/25/a-stain-on-irelands-conscience-tuam-home-for-unmarried-mothers-gives-up-grimmest-of-buried-secrets

The Letter Mural picture from Derry of the past photos - 

https://www.facebook.com/Derryofthepast/photos/a.1092753894109334/5386390808078933/?paipv=0&eav=Afbe0HaamyxHIv1xDEx5JNoU6dnOs8AsfsU8YN1DflmReU8wUC_EEqRsSMzlFXPMyus&_rdr

Poems referred to for both Stolen and Hush a Bye Baby

https://www.doirepress.com/writers/annemarie-ni-churreain

https://allpoetry.com/poem/11030643-Limbo-by-Seamus-Heaney

https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/cherishing-for-beginners

Award winning photographic artist Deirdre Brennan is on the look out for interesting Brigids. She tells the Talking Derry Girls how and why her latest project came about and how any would be subjects can get in touch. She is in Derry this week and has a spot or two still available.

The artist is no stranger to the City having created an audio visual exhibition in Derry which marked the 51st Anniversay of Bloody Sunday. Her portraits of the Bloody Sunday families were exhibited in Derry's Playhouse and were warmly received. An accompanying podcast - My Bloody Sunday was created Deirdre says ," almost by accident". It is a moving, personal, vibrant account of the day and its aftermath. It’s an important, historic piece. 

All Bridgets, Bridies, Brids, Biddys and all other variations thereof who are ready for their close ups Deirdre's details are in the notes below. Smiling not essential.

NOTES 

If your name is Brigid, Bridget, Brid, Bridey or any other spelling and you want to contact Deirdre about being photographed and you are in Derry email her at [email protected]

Our Guest - Deirdre Brennan - https://deirdrebrennan.com/

Looking for Bridget - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67213788

Barry Connolly https://plexa.ie/ 

https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/

Is the name Brigid making a come back? 

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/01/30/whats-in-a-name-why-are-girls-not-called-brigid-any-more/?fbclid=IwAR0INC7ATCdvr4lYYWe4h5YIvheNgMFSDY44f_YWoO7uf4xfVJUtxswMxls

Bad Bridget - book

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/446640/bad-bridget-by-mccormick-elaine-farrell-and-leanne/9781844885817

Bad Bridget exhibition at Ulster American Folk Park - https://www.ulsteramericanfolkpark.org/whats-on/bad-bridget

My Bloody Sunday Podcast https://audioboom.com/channels/5097606-my-bloody-sunday

Bloody Sunday Trust https://museumoffreederry.org/bloody-sunday-trust/

Archive information on Bloody Sunday 

https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/bsunday/sum.htm

Talking Derry Girls Episode 56 - Happy St Brigid’s Day 

(It was the first one ever in 2022) Next year marks the 1500th anniversary of her death. 

Dr Niamh Wycherley - https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/people/niamh-wycherley?page=4

Couple of articles by Niamh on St Brigid https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/research/spotlight-research/boss-brigit

https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/0123/1349669-st-brigid-kildare-ireland-evidence-identity/ 

Saint Brigid - https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/st-brigid-ireland

From Seamus Heaney to Fat Boy Slim, via the Cranberries, and Michelle Mallon inspiration, Shauna Bray.

There was something in the Derry air last week and Talking Derry Girl’s Marie-Louise was in the thick of it. Discovering the truth about Derry Time, proving that Derry really is a City of singers and, yes, we really are all Derry Girls who know all the lyrics to “Dreams” by The Cranberries. Prepare to have your spine tingled.

In true Ma Mary fashion M-L packs her mother, two daughters and a big clock for her Seamus Heaney outside broadcast - and in true Heaney style "hope and history" did indeed "rhyme" in Derry last weekend as Fat Boy Slim made the Derry Girls' dreams come true by finally…and for real this time…playing to a sold out Derry crowd.

Lisa McGee's school chum, bestie and keeper of secrets - OK so the last bit may not be entirely true - Shauna Bray takes us from selfie etiquette Derry style all the way to a Vegas guest list via a blow up Aiden Turner …buckle up for the Derry Girl who makes her alter ego Michelle look very understated.

Notes: 

City of Derry International Choir Festival - The Big Sing at Guildhall Square -https://www.facebook.com/derrygirlsfan/videos/717955317047815

Seamus Heaney HomePlace https://seamusheaneyhome.com/

Culture Cafe with Marie-Louise on BBC Radio Ulster/Radio Foyle/BBC Sounds available for 30 days from 22nd October: live from Seamus Heaney HomePlace https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001rqjd

Fat Boy Slim in Derry https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67191704

The Cranberries - Dreams lyrics https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=The+Cranberries+Dreams+Lyrics&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

BBC Antiques Roadshow in Derry -https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006mj2y/antiques-roadshow 

It’s also available in USA on PBS but called Antiques Roadshow UK. Also available in other countries if you have a search. 

BBC Celebrity Antiques Roadtrip -https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001rklp/celebrity-antiques-road-trip-series-12-3-ian-mcelhinney-v-tara-lynne-oneill

Ways to find BBC programmes worldwide 

https://www.screenbinge.com/uk/channels/bbc-iplayer/watch-celebrity-antiques-road-trip-series12-outside-uk-on-bbc-iplayer/

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

President Bill Clinton’s speech at the Guildhall Square on his visit which brings us full circle back to Seamus Heaney who he quotes in the speech 30th November 1995 https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/peace/docs/pres2.htm