Talking Derry Girls

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we probably shouldn't invite you to Derry on Saturday 4th May where you can sit on a very steep street with, hopefully, several thousand others in a bid to win a Guinness World Record.

The Talking Derry Girls will be there supporting the Mayor of Derry's official charities - The Ryan McBride Foundation and Foyle Hospice.

Details of how you can register and take part in Rock the Boat are in the notes (it’s an inclusive event so arrangements are in place for everyone to take part - you have no excuse!)

Sitting on your backside on a city street rocking with several thousand strangers sounds like a winner to us.

No, this is not a late April Fool, though the girls have a few words on that subject too. 

Spring is in the air so no better time to put your feet up with a box set . Louisa Harland is currently blowing our minds in Disney's “Renegade Nell” while Nicola Coughlan is extraordinary as the lead in Channel 4’s new comedy “Big Mood” They’re both a long way from Derry Girls. Superstars both.

Altogether now “Rock the Boat, don’t Rock the Boat Baby …” See you there!

NOTES 

Whistle through the Shamrocks - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whistle-through-the-shamrocks/id1590115609

Foyle hospice website - https://foylehospice.com/rock-the-boat/

Big Mood - Nicola Coughlan https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26765082/

Big Mood interview - https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/nicola-coughlan-camilla-whitehill-big-mood-big-rt-interview/

Whistle through the Shamrocks - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whistle-through-the-shamrocks/id1590115609

Renegade Nell - Louisa Harland https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5308665/

https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/highwaywoman-susan-higges/

Sally Wainwright - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0906550/

Beyond Paradise - Dylan Llewellyn https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21161156/

Big Boys - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13683866/

Craig Parkinson - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0971135/

Foyle hospice website - https://foylehospice.com/rock-the-boat/

Mayor Patricia Logue - https://www.derrystrabane.com/about-council/mayor/mayor-s-biography

Mayor’s charities and learning to swim - https://www.derrystrabane.com/news/mayor-takes-the-plunge-in-aid-of-local-charities

Jazz Festival weekend - https://cityofderryjazzfestival.com/ 

Record breaking number of Santa’s in Derry (2007) but it has since been broken by India (2014)

https://www.derrydaily.net/2014/12/28/indian-town-smashes-derrys-world-record-santas-gathering/

Brides on the Peace Bridge - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2315959/Race-aisle-750-brides-cross-Derry-bridge-beat-world-record.html

The Talking Derry Girls are amazed to have reached their milestone episode and there's only one person to blame. Here to defend herself is Derry Girls creator and writer Lisa McGee.

They talk about that multiple award winning finale episode and there are many, many questions and answers. 

Just how funny is Liam Neeson? Who put in the call to Chelsea Clinton and did David Ireland really channel Kevin McAleer in his Uncle Colm audition tape?

Lisa has tales of location filming in her beloved Derry, burning a car under Craigavon bridge and how Orla, and her dance routine, was the perfect opening for the grand finale.

Who knows what the future holds for the TDGs? but Lisa needs extras for her new show and maybe there is a Literary Monkeys party that needs planning. Congratulations and Celebrations all round.

NOTES: 

How to get to Heaven from Belfast - 

https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/derry-girls-lisa-mcgee-how-to-get-to-heaven-from-belfast-channel-4-1235700966/

Derry Girls Experience - 

https://www.visitderry.com/things-to-do/the-derry-girls-experience-p844151 

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

Derry Girls series 3 wins an Emmy - 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67483358#

Previous episodes mentioned in this episode 

Ep 42 - Season 3: Finale: The Agreement

Ep 80 - How to get to heaven from Belfast (chat with Lisa about her new TV programme)

Ep 13 - Talking Derry Girls with Lisa McGee

Ep 14 - It’s Lisa McGee (Oh yes it is) 

Ep 97 - David Ireland episode 

Ep 36 - Series 3: Episode 1 - The Night Before… (the one with Uncle Colm and Liam Neeson

One recording away from the big 100 and the TDGs are still in different timezones. Not sure what the lead balloons are in this week's episode…the definition of a lead balloon is -”something that you say or show to people that they do not like…something which fails miserably and is utterly unsuccessful”

So it most definitely isn’t anything to do with Lisa McGee and her continued award winning successes. This week accepting the Christopher Ewart Biggs award for promoting peace and reconciliation in Ireland.

Pauline hosts a Factory Girls event, when she isn’t hunting Brad Pitt, Marie-Louise talks Holywood glamour and how it became connected to one of Derry’s impoverished communities and Jeanie has her underwear swabbed for explosives…Bombshells aplenty…poteen anyone?

NOTES:

Friends of the Factories - 

https://www.friendsofthefactories.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheFactories

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council learning to swim https://www.derrystrabane.com/news/mayor-takes-the-plunge-in-aid-of-local-charities

Maeve McLaughlin - Manager Bloody Sunday Trust 

https://museumoffreederry.org/bloody-sunday-trust/

Madeline McCully Storyteller -  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWY83rDJDy0

William Deery - 

http://springtowncamp.com/willie-deery/280.html

William Deery’s play Factory Girls and Rock and Roll 

https://www.millenniumforum.co.uk/shows/factory-girls-and-rock-n-roll-2/

Springtown Camp 

http://www.springtowncamp.com/

Springtown Camp march -  

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-49197625

MEMORIAL 2019 WILLIE CAMPAIGNED FOR IT FOR 60 YEARS. 

Marie-Louise’s Radio Documentary - Jane Russell and the Springtown Mother. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05n1hwn

Jane Russell Obituary by Mark Cousins - 

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/mar/01/jane-russell-obituary

Jane Russell in conversation with Mark Cousins (May 1999) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gx4k6qR6_M

Osceola Island Trail - 

https://tndaytrips.com/osceola-island-your-next-hidden-gem-adventure-in-tennessee/

Brad Pitt and fly fishing in East Tennessee (Pauline wasn’t making it up) 

https://tnhomeandfarm.com/travel/east-tennessee-lakes-rivers-perfect-fly-fishing/

Lisa’s latest award - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Ewart-Biggs_Memorial_Prize

Some past winners: 

Robert Kee - Ireland a television History (1980)  

https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/december/ireland-television-history

Lost Lives - The stories of the men, women and children who died as a result of the Northern Ireland troubles: 

https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/violence/mckittrick.htm

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

Brian Friel for his play Translations - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translations_(play)

Frank McGuinness - 

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

Julieann Campbell - book; On Bloody Sunday 

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jan/30/on-bloody-sunday-by-julieann-campbell-review-the-most-powerful-account-of-a-brutal-day

Poteen - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poit%C3%ADn

Talking Derry Girls episodes referred to: 

Ep 52 and Ep55 - chat with Madam Mayor Sandra Duffy 

Ep 31 - Derry Ghost Stories (stories and chat with Madeline McCully) 

Ep 89 - ‘Stolen’ with Margo Harkin 

Ep61 - Pick me up - International Womens Day (2023) 

Ep 62 - Shirt Tales part 1

Ep 81 - Shirt Tales part 2

Ep 82 - Shirt Tales part 3 

Ep 42 - Season 3 finale - The Good Friday Agreement (Lisa won her latest award for this episode of Derry Girls) 

Where are we? What are we doing? In this week's episode of podcasting for the bewildered, the Talking Derry Girls are jumping timezones and continents and may just be oversharing.

Marie-Louise has a close encounter with Uncle Colm; poor man was only looking for the toilet. Pauline discovers there's more to Amsterdam than the infamous Red light district. And Jeanie fears that she is lost for words.

Add in some axe throwing, toenail clipping and a big shop and your cup too shall be overflowing.

Notes: 

Yotel - https://www.yotel.com/en

Air Yotel - https://www.yotel.com/en/yotelair-hotels

Bristol Tennessee/Virginia -  https://www.southernliving.com/bristol-tennessee-virginia-7482844

Uncle Colm aka Kevin McAleer - Radio Foyle interview - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001wgj9

Andrea Baker - http://andreabaker.org/ 

https://www.king.edu/events/tales-of-transatlantic-freedom/

BBC Radio 4 documentary about Frederick Douglass in Scotland presented by Andrea Baker produced by Pauline (2015)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06kb0g2 

Howard Moody - https://www.howardmoody.co.uk/new-page

Mother Chuckers - https://explorebristol.com/mother-chuckers/

Upgraded with Saoirse-Monica Jackson - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21830902/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

Oppenheimer - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15398776/

Emma. - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9214832/

Johnny Flynn - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1926865/ from David Ireland’s TV series The Lovers which we discussed in Ep 97 (also David Ireland is alive and well it was his character Sean Devlin who died - for those confused on social media)

Lisfannon Beach: Donegal https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/lisfannon-beach-donegal/

Blue Lights with another 2 series commissioned - https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/blue-lights-renewed-season-3-4-newsupdate/

East Belfast - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast_East_(UK_Parliament_constituency)

https://visitbelfast.com/eastside/

https://www.titanicbelfast.com/

West Belfast - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast_West_(UK_Parliament_constituency)

The Falls - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falls_Road,_Belfast

The Shankill - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankill_Road

Belfast Peace Wall -  https://www.timetravelturtle.com/northern-ireland/peace-wall-belfast/

The Fountain Ep xx TDGs - https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/segregat/temple/hem1.htm

On the Buses - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063936/

Pennyburn Bridge - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cek77nl4xkvo

Not all the Talking Derry Girls listeners are aware that Pauline, Marie-Louise and Jeanie have appeared in Derry Girls. They try not to talk about it …much!

They attended the funeral of Sean Devlin (Clare's Da ). Now the Dust to Dust and Ashes to Ashes have settled, the tears have dried and Clare has run off after some rich Lord in Bridgerton, the TDGs thought maybe it was safe to talk about their starring roles again.

David Ireland was summoned , we're not sure if Carlos Santini brought him from beyond the grave, but he was coming through loud and clear. He talks about acting in Derry Girls, gives budding actors some audition tips and tells how his writing for stage and now screen has maybe eclipsed his love for performing. 

Buckle up and put hot drinks aside, snorting hot beverages is a major possibility while listening to this one…

David Ireland aka Sean Devlin (Clare’s Da) - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ireland_(playwright)

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0409854/

David Ireland’s routine (he got Jeanie’d on this one) 

https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/health/2023/09/21/news/playwright_david_ireland_i_ve_had_to_learn_to_forgive_and_be_forgiven_rebuild_bridges_and_move_on-3613997/

Cyprus Avenue - play be David Ireland. (on soon in Glasgow) 

https://www.paviliontheatre.co.uk/shows/cyprus-avenue/

It might be available as a screener!  

https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/cyprus-avenue-film/

Liz Lewin (exec producer Derry Girls and commissioned The Lovers by David Ireland.  

https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/liz-lewin

Kevin McAleer (retiring) 

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2024/0212/1431811-kevin-mcaleer-to-retire-from-stand-up-after-40-years/

The Lovers - David Ireland Sky 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lovers_(2023_TV_series)

Johnny Flynn 

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

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1926865/

Roisin Gallagher 

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

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3481069/

So I said Yes - play by David Ireland. Paul Mallon aka Dennis is in this.. we’ve talked about it before on the podcast and how it shocked Marie-Louise. 

https://irishplayography.com/play?playid=33493

Ulster American - play by David Ireland. 

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/nov/27/woody-harrelson-andy-serkis-louisa-harland-ulster-american-bobby-sands-derry-girls

Woody Harrelson’s film - Lost in London; Louisa Harland 

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

The Fifth Step - play by David Ireland. 

https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/the-fifth-step

Renegade Nell -https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14502758/

Derry Girls Exhibition extended for another year -https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/derry-girls-experience-museum-exhibit-28615827

Episodes referenced from Talking Derry Girls Podcast 

Ep 1 - Dear Diary 

Ep 40 - The Reunion 

Ep 41 - Halloween 

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