Talking Derry Girls

The missing tales. 3 years in the making Pauline finally comes clean to Jeanie and Marie-Louise as to exactly why this episode has taken so long to finish. For the tape and yes there was a tape, Pauline and Jeanie met with Factory Girls Mary White and Clare Moore back in the Summer of 2020. 

Since then the TDGs have talked about Derry's shirtmaking history and the legacy it has left in the town. Episode 62 Shirt Tales Part 1 takes a deeper dive into the factual history of the shirt making industry in the City. This episode Shirt Tales Part 2 is a much more human story of the factory girls, their lives, loves, hopes, dreams and the serious craic that was had in and out of the workplace. 

Buckle up, these women worked hard, played harder and kept food on the table for many a Derry family. Often the only wage earner in a household the young girls thought nothing of handing over an unopened wage packet at the end of the week to be given back a small allowance from the contents.

Mary and Clare reminisce about the pride they had to be wage earners and the camaraderie they shared with the generations of women employed in the factories. Every word resonates with a shared lived experience that makes you realise that ‘Derry Girls’ has these women right at the centre of its heart, soul and craic.

Notes:

Factories Girls artwork - https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/derrys-factory-girls-sculpture-moves-27359087?fbclid=IwAR3eYR0-lrZW_petqwSQDxnQjgAjbsETfuDcZ0zSgwXWL1aCaPBIrWVdcj8

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49740625

Friday 28th July Derry Journal

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/environment/factory-girls-public-artwork-on-course-for-completion-in-spring-2024-4236039?fbclid=IwAR13jVUO57efqaVRgOGRBpfu4moqY0CfRvwtxHi9IHr5aczpbWX9TPceyZM

Could be Tillie and Hendersons or Ebrington factory horn. 

https://twitter.com/AodhanRob/status/1250864238211616768

Women inspired walk in Derry - Derry Danders

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/new-derry-walking-tour-shines-26399896

Article by Naomi Petropoulos  https://deindustrialization.org/honouring-the-original-derry-girls-the-resurgence-of-the-commemoration-and-celebration-of-shirt-making-in-derry-northern-ireland/

Friends of the Factories  https://www.friendsofthefactories.com/  https://twitter.com/FOTF21

Derry’s Dance Halls of Romance - Willie Deery  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Derrys-Dancehalls-Romance-Willie-Deery/dp/1906271410

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Springtown-Camp-Inside-Willie-Deery/dp/1906271305 

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

The Town I loved so well - written and performed by Phil Coulter (from a few years ago) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAqOC5iJ5o8

TDGs EP62 - Shirt Tales (Part 1) - Pauline chats with Yvonne Norris and Naomi Petropoulos. Who are experts on the story of Derry’s shirt factories it’s a great introduction to a vital story in Derry’s history. Lots of info in the notes for this episode. 

TDGs EP20 - The Forces are with us - we find out about the overseas forces who were based in Derry during and after WW2.  

The news is out there. A brand new comedy thriller from Lisa McGee has been commissioned by Channel 4. Lisa is so relieved to finally be able to talk about her new project that she invited Pauline from the TDGs into her Edinburgh Hotel room. It's the day after the news was broken and Lisa is buzzing to tell us more.

But just how much is she willing and able to share? For the tape you - you really don't want to miss this extra special bonus episode. 

NOTES: 

Lisa’s new TV comedy thriller announcement 

https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-announces-lisa-mcgees-brand-new-comedy-thriller-how-get-heaven-belfast

Derry Girls Experience

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

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

HOPE bracelets

https://www.childrenincrossfire.org/shop/derry-girls-hope-bracelet/ 

Blue Lights 

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/set-pictures-from-series-2-of-bbcs-blue-lights-reveal-possible-new-recruits/a1511634790.html

The all new comedy thriller from Derry Girls creator and all round sound woman Lisa McGee.

The TDGs discuss the breaking news of Channel 4's newly commissioned show and how all Derry people already know that the best way to reach Heaven from Belfast is to drive north over the Glenshane mountain pass.

So many questions for this new mystery drama but mainly…when the hell can we see it? Whodunit? Wheredunit? And was it even "dun"? Lisa has answered some of the questions  with  "it's not so much a whodunit as a what the hell happened…"

Casting is yet to be announced but a trio of leading actors will investigate. In Lisa's words "I cannot wait to share these flawed funny women with everyone"

Management for the trio of TDGs are unavailable for comment and all rumour of botox, fillers and sunbed sessions at Tropicana are in no way indicative of urgent preparations for imminent close up shots…

Pauline is however on a train in true Jessica Fletcher mode to investigate further.

NOTES :

The Big News from Lisa McGee - https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-announces-lisa-mcgees-brand-new-comedy-thriller-how-get-heaven-belfast

Siobhan McSweeney’s BAFTA dress raffle on twitter - https://twitter.com/siobhni

Link to enter the fundraiser for Marymount University Hospital & Hospice in Cork 

- https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/SiobhanMcSweeneyBAFTADressRaffle

Visit Derry Competition to come to the City for Halloween - https://www.visitderry.com/whats-on/derry-halloween/derry-halloween-competition

Where there’s a will there’s a wake with Kathy Burke - look for the episode with Siobhan McSweeney August 8th https://podfollow.com/1654059310

TDGs Ep 59 - the time we drove over the Glenshane pass with no fuel in the car!  We also talked to some of the cast of Derry Girls before it all went horribly wrong - almost! 

Blue Lights nomination - don’t forget to vote.  https://twitter.com/declawn?lang=en

DATA BREACH PSNI - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66578582

Jeanie and Pauline take a road trip to see the ‘actual’ Derry Girls Train - series3 Ep3 Stranger on a Train.  Also covered in Ep38 of TDGs Podcast!  It’s a long way from Derry to Downpatrick, Marie-Louise wasn’t there she would have talked on the drive!  Morgan Young is one of 40 volunteers from all over Ireland, at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway where all sorts of trains live and get restored. It’s a charity and relies on visitors, events and donations to keep going. Morgan was in charge of all the railway side of things in the filming of this episode.  He spills the beans on some of the highlights and challenges.. and that’s before we even get to the KitKats or the wee station which also featured prominently in the episode.  There’s lots of trips through the Summer season at #Downrail including a ride on THE TRAIN so check out the notes for all the links..  All on Board!! 

NOTES: 

Check out all the Summer events at the website and Facebook (they have a great FB page - give it a follow. 

Downpatrick and County Down Railway -  https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/summer/?fbclid=IwAR1B5wLzPyZsKcrrIKZYnoj3960Haxqz05UmjMZW13BcpRWh5LqGbGPCEhM

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/downrail

Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/downrail/?hl=en

Series 3 EP 3 - Stranger on a Train https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17982346/

Places used in filming - Downpatrick and County Down Railway, Downpartrick Loop Platform, Whitehead Station - near Carrickfergus. 

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

Home of Derry Girls Experience Tower Museum - https://towermuseumcollections.com/ 

Discover Northern Ireland - https://discovernorthernireland.com/

Also check out Ep 38 of #TalkingDerryGirls where we discussed Ep3 Stranger on a Train. 

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. Meanwhile Marie-Louise goes missing in action just when she is needed most. Maybe it has something to do with possible video evidence from her own schooldays. 

The girls catch up with one of Lisa McGee's old teachers, the man who captured Lisa and her friends performing their Spice girls routine at a school concert. Just how much like Erin was the young Lisa and can you guess which Spice Girl she was? Clue… It wasn't Baby! 

Meanwhile how did the Golden Ticket Competition winners enjoy the evening and their full on Derry Girls Experience? Does a 10p mix, rock the boat and a cream horn live up to expectations… 

https://towermuseumcollections.com/

https://www.derrystrabane.com/news/derry-girls-experience-arrives-90’s-style-at-the-tower-museum

www.visitderry.com 

https://www.visitderry.com/derry-girls

www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls

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. 

10p mixes were eaten, cream horns and Tayto crisps were in abundance and in true Derry style, the craic was 90. Boats were rocked and secrets were told - for the tape. 

Buckle up and prepare to meet the Real Derry Girls - the childhood friends of Lisa McGee whose antics inspired the series - be warned there are many tales as yet untold. 

Party central with Jamie Lee O'Donnell, aka Michelle Mallon, what could possibly go wrong? Flaming Sambuca anyone… 

https://towermuseumcollections.com/

https://www.derrystrabane.com/news/derry-girls-experience-arrives-90’s-style-at-the-tower-museum

www.visitderry.com 

https://www.visitderry.com/derry-girls

www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls 

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..

All 3 may be in town but still Jeanie, Pauline and Marie-Louise find it difficult to be in the right place at the same time. The Tower Museum sprites are in full on ‘prep’ mode making sure that everything is in place for Monday's official launch. 

Last seen in boxes in a huge warehouse storage facility it was tantalising to see which treasures had made the final grade. Here is the TDG's sneaky, sticky beak look at what you can expect. With thanks to the Museum staff who welcomed the girls back into their world and shared the joy and pride they have in this latest extravaganza. 

You will not be disappointed and it might just change the way you see Museums forever. 

Some Craic Hi.

NOTES: 

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

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

Derry Journal - Derry Girls Experience latest… 

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/people/derry-girls-experience-opening-in-tower-museum-next-week-4200288

You can find out more about us here 

www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls 

Do give us a follow on our socials. And LIKE. SHARE. COMMENT. REVIEW. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TBLderrygirls

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/talkingderrygirlspodcast/?hl=en-gb

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. 

In a huge warehouse deep in the Northern Ireland countryside they found all of the sets and costumes for all 3 seasons of Derry Girls. Sister Michael's desk, Ma Mary's ironing board. The wee lesbian's rainbow badges. The very Tunnocks… 

Everything was stored away and the TDGs were there with the museum curators as they got their first glimpse of the vast collection of Derry Girls treasure available to them. 

Overwhelming is the only accurate description. 

A small taster exhibition has been running in the Visit Derry offices since May and the time is fast approaching for the opening of the Derry Girls Experience in July. 

It takes a lot to render the TDGs speechless maybe that's how they've managed not to talk about it until now…

NOTES: 

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

A big thank you to Visit Derry and Loganir for getting us to the warehouse in November ’22.

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

Loganair - https://www.loganair.co.uk/

Derry Jounal - opening date for Derry Girls Experience 

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/people/date-is-set-for-opening-of-new-derry-girls-experience-in-the-tower-museum-4173379

The award winning TDGs and the multi multi award winning Derry Girls want you to be winners too. 

The long awaited Derry Girls Experience opens its doors to the public on Tuesday 4th July in Derry. 

On Monday 3rd July a special launch event will be held in the Tower Museum giving a sneak preview of the joys that await. 

Entrance is by ticket and invitation only and we have 5 pairs of exclusive tickets to give away to true Derry Girls fans. You will need to be in Derry on July 3rd at 6pm. 

Tickets are for the event only so you will have to make your own way to the Tower Museum. (See terms and conditions in the notes below) 

TO ENTER go to our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Answer the question. Follow us, like and share. 

For the tape…the Talking Derry Girls will be there and we want to talk to you. Be lucky.

NOTES: 

GOLDEN TICKETS TO LAUNCH OF DERRY GIRLS EXPERIENCE - 3RD JULY 6-8PM 

Terms and conditions: 

• The 5 pairs of tickets are being offered by Derry City and Strabane District Council. 
• The invitation will be in the form of an email to the person whose name has been drawn from the pool of those who qualify by completing the question from Talking Derry Girls as well as FOLLOWING. LIKING. SHARING THE ORIGINAL POST on the TDGs social media channels.
• You also have to declare that you are able to attend on 3rd July 2023 between 6-8pm.
• You can only enter once in each social media channel.  
• The competition will be open for entries from 1300 on Friday 16th 2023 until 1300 BST Sunday 18th June 2023.  
• The draw from correct answers will be confirmed on Monday 19th June 2023 by an independent person.
• The chance to win is open to all those who answer the question correctly in the manner outlined above. (by sending the answers on TDGs social media channels only). 
• You also have to be contactable by direct message so you can be informed if you have a pair of tickets.
• You will only be contacted if you are a winner and are able to be contacted by direct message in the first instance to get email address for Derry City and Strabane District council.  
• DCSDC and Talking Derry Girls Podcast will not be providing any expenses or costs involved in getting to or from the event from 6-8pm on 3rd July. You have to be in a position to make your own way. 
• There is no monetary value involved and only those named on the invitation can attend. (Proof of identity might be required).

It's 3 years since the TDG's first decided to share their combined musings with the world. Some of you have been with us from the beginning - Jeanie still reckons that this is due, in no small part, to her declaration that "mad bastards" are welcome. Which may or may not say more about the state of her own mind. 

Birthday or Anniversary? It's been 3 years and the girls are nostalgic, the lockdown delirium has thankfully passed and the chats, begun to save their sanity, have moved into new and often unforeseen areas. Guests have joined in the craic and the girls have made some new friends from among their listeners. 

They are gearing up for the hugely exciting opening of the Derry Girls Experience and need your help with the Podcast Awards Season. Marie-Louise's memory has proven to be most unreliable, Jeanie hates the sound of her own voice (yes really) and to paraphrase Ma Mary, Pauline is 'sick of the lot of us'. Any suggestions of your favourite moments from the last year of Talking Derry Girls would be gratefully received. 

Happy 3rd whatever it is to us - Cue the Disco version of Danny Boy to celebrate - rocking the boat purely optional… 

NOTES: 

Ep 0 - It’s a state of mind - 17th June 2020 

Right back at the beginning. 

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

Jamie Beamish aka Ciaran https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1820980/

Irish podcast awards - extracts from April 22 - June 23! 

Suggestions welcome: 

Some of our thoughts…. 

Ep 35 - The Launch 

Ep 50 and Ep 51 Extras part 1 and 2 

Ep 54 - Nun the wiser 

Ep 57 - Three flaming sambucas and a 10p mix 

Ep 67 - Take a beat with Declan Lawn #BlueLights