Talking Derry Girls

The TDG's - Pauline, Marie-Louise and Jeanie - have always got each other's backs and this week they manage to help each other out without even realising. 

We all get times when we feel a bit flat but this week the girls were all in a bit of a slump. Strange things happen when friends get together and admit they aren't at their best. Hold tight to those friends. 

Derry has opened a new tribute to Mo Mowlam and the girls remember the force of nature who, as Northern Ireland Secretary, played no small part in the Good Friday Agreement negotiations. No fusty old statue to remember Mo.! 

The girls remember being serenaded by Damian McGinty who is currently dancing up a storm in Ireland's Dancing with the Stars… memories, good pals and chat. 

Happy International Women's Day. 

NOTES :

You might want to revisit TDGs 36 and 37 covering the first two episodes in Series 3. 

NI secretary of state - Mo Mowlam:  www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/19/obituaries.northernireland

Mo Mowlam talking about the NI peace process:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC77sMU0uMg

Mo Mowlam visiting the Maze prison:  www.theguardian.com/politics/1998/jan/10/devolution.uk

Issue of policing in Good Friday Agreement:  www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/11/policing-crisis-northern-ireland-good-friday-agreement-psni-brexit

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/jan/17/mowlam-tumour-blair-labour

Women’s Coalition (1996) - a minor but very important party forcing other parties to take women's issues seriously:  niassembly.gov.uk/visit-and-learning/women-in-parliament/northern-ireland-womens-coalition/

Monica McWilliams and an interview about her book Stand up, Speak out where she talks about Mo Mowlam.  https://www.independent.ie/life/monica-mcwilliams-on-women-being-airbrushed-from-the-norths-peace-process-history-41407501.html

Mo Mowlam studio opening  https://www.ulster.ac.uk/news/2023/march/ulster-university-launches-mo-mowlam-studio-on-its-derry~londonderry-campus

The campaign for a University in Derry  https://universitytimes.ie/2022/01/derrys-50-year-fight-for-university-places/

Factory Girls and Rock and Roll  https://www.derrynow.com/news/arts---entertainment/1018082/a-derry-play-with-a-difference-factory-girls-and-rock-n-roll.html

Damian McGinty - he was a guest on TDGs Ep21 - Derry Boy (40 episodes ago). He’s now in the semi finals of RTE’s Dancing with the Stars..  Go to Ep21 to hear about how he got into the TV hit Glee. And how Jeanie’s Dad give him a present one Christmas when he was a lad!! 

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

Eurovision Song Contest https://eurovision.tv/

New BBC podcast marking 25th anniversary of Good Friday Agreement  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-64858138

Link for GFA podcast from BBC   https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0f6zpv4

Marie-Louise and Pauline are Jeanie’s wee English fella’s Godmother Others as he’s always called us..  

The TDG's are in reflective mood or is it delirium? 60 epiodes in has got them thinking - is it maybe time to hang up their recording gear and go open that "flip flop shop in Hawaii"? Is there enough laundry in her world to keep Pauline busy and could Marie-Louise be happy embedded in her world of Culture and the Arts? At least Jeanie could make it to her Slimming World meetings every week. 

Prepare yourselves, this episode is the closest you will get to being a fly on the wall when these 3 get together. No notes. No prep. And very little sense. Be grateful no alcohol was consumed… Happy 60th!

Notes: 

The Windsor Framework (so far..) - https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_1271

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64790193

Denis Murray former Ireland Correspondent - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15138685

International Polar Bear Day - https://polarbearsinternational.org/act-now/awareness-events/international-polar-bear-day/

There’s a recipe for Mary’s Derry Stew on page 93 of Erin’s Diary! 

The difference between swedes and turnips 

http://topveg.com/2017/07/29/the-difference-between-swedes-and-turnips/

Ep 13 Talking Derry Girls - with Lisa McGee where we talk about listening to the episodes. 

Director of Derry Girls: Michael Lennox - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3156269/

https://www.joe.ie/movies-tv/paul-mescal-viral-irish-language-skills-late-late-show-769049

Dancing at Lughnasa - https://playbill.com/production/dancing-at-lughnasa-london-national-theatre-olivier-2023

Justine Mitchell (the 4th Derry Girl in D at L) 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0593490/

The Dry House 

https://www.marylebonetheatre.com/productions/the-dry-house?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCIiQlnkQyBSk0gH3omxzkWO6RNPqftCsk55s26Gpl1iJ-MYeAoALiYxoCzVcQAvD_BwE

Paul Mescal - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Mescal

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/23/paul-mescal-confronts-female-fan-who-groped-him-during-selfie

https://www.joe.ie/movies-tv/paul-mescal-viral-irish-language-skills-late-late-show-769049

Damian McGinty - Ep 21 of TDGs - Derry Boy

He won The Glee Project in USA, lives in Nashville, is currently in RTE’s Dancing with the stars.  https://www.damianmcginty.com/home

Beyond Paradise - on Britbox and BBC https://tellyvisions.org/article/britbox-bbc-one-will-debut-beyond-paradise-simultaneously-both-sides-pond

Stephen King’s - Welcome to Derry https://www.irishpost.com/news/derry-girls-fans-swamp-post-announcing-prequel-series-to-the-it-horror-movies-248368

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

The TDG's have been on a road trip like no other. One where Marie-Louise was in charge - chairing a very special Derry Girls reunion. Staged at the Metropolitan Art Centre (Mac) in Belfast, Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee and several cast members came together for a special fundraising event in support of Friends of the Mac, the charitable organisation which raises money to fund the centre. 

The Mac has seen many of the cast tread their boards in the past and staged one of Lisa's early plays. Safe to say it is a cause close to the hearts of the Derry Girls cast who joined in the reunion. 

The Mac has recently launched their US Friends of the Mac at the world famous Irish bar The Dead Rabbit in NYC. We have it on good authority that Seamus the cat has an alibi for the night of the bunny's demise and….sure anyway he wouldn't hurt a fly… 

The reunion night was a doozy and Jeanie and Pauline tagged along to get the inside track and backstage gossip. Pauline borrowed an iron from Ma Mary, Orla talked dance moves and Granda Joe told how he was won in a raffle. Lisa confessed how she will never tire of winning awards for Derry Girls - Dennis told us all to GET OUT and Aunt Sarah - Well you can imagine… 

Toome - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toome

The Mac - themaclive.com/whats-on

Funding link - Friends of the MAC | The MAC Belfast (themaclive.com)

The Launch of series 3 - Episode 35 (The one where Paul Mallon aka Dennis gave us a room. Go look for it!)

The Jazz House, Derry - clarenceproperty.co.uk/house/jazz-house/

The Dead Rabbit: The World famous Irish pub in NYC - thedeadrabbit.com/

Geraldine Hughes - imdb.com/name/nm0400625/

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_of_State_for_Northern_Ireland

Ferry Clever - ferryclever.co.uk/

Charlotte Gillies - www.instagram.com/derrygirlshitposts/?hl=en

Charlotte and Jess - www.instagram.com/kathykclarkefans/?hl=en

Dancing at Lughnasa - www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/dancing-at-lughnasa/

Marie-Louise’s TV programme about Brian Friel who wrote Dancing at Lughnasa - it’s only available on the iplayer for a few more days.   www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0b8kqqt

The Ballad Of Renegade Nell - www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/tv/the-ballad-of-renegade-nell-disney-plus/701583

Rough Magic - www.roughmagic.ie/

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

The TDG's are back together in the City and looking for adventure. Just getting there involved one tale of woe which  Pauline would be much wiser to forget. Was there really lapdancing involved in her computer repair? Maybe they use a different system in Glasgow? Talking of exhibits we have news on the rumoured Derry Girls exhibition  that you won't want to miss - Happy St Patrick's Day is all we can say or is it…? 

A campaign is launched to make Tom Hanks a Derry Girl. Promises are made to the famous Hollywood actor and  typewriter collector as Jenni Doherty from Little Acorns Bookstore invites him to her new premises to check out her typewriter museum. 

All in the week when the TDG's attend a special fundraising Derry Girls reunion. There is limited time to get your questions in for the on stage Q and A session. Details in the notes.

Derry Girls Exhibition: derryjournal.com/news/people/plans-unveiled-for-new-derry-girls-exhibition-in-tower-museum-and-trail-of-key-filming-locations-3990815

Little Acorns Bookstore: facebook.com/LittleAcornsBookstore

Tom Hanks and his typewriters: typewriters.com/blogs/blog/typewriters-more-than-just-a-hobby-for-tom-hanks

Derry Girls Reunion (we’ll be there!): themaclive.com/event/options-presents-derry-girls-the-reunion

If you have a question you’d like to ask cast members do let us know - we’ll pick one or two out!  Or the most popular question.. Send to our FB or twitter page and give us a follow on all the socials for all the latest! 

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

"What were you doing up Pump Street?" 

February is Love Legenderry Food Month celebrating all of the culinary genius that the City has to offer. Back in November the TDG's embraced their heritage and embarked on the Derry Girls food tour. It is perhaps safe to say that tour guide Feargal Doherty may not have quite known what to expect from these three. 

No tour of Derry is ever going to be straight laced or straight forward - throw in a chip shop order, flaming sambucas and a trip up Pump Street and you're asking for trouble. 

Which of the TDG's showed a natural talent with a cream horn and who had points deducted for cheek? 

Slainte Mothf##kas this is one tour you won't want to miss. 

Winking and cream horns are optional - no Feargal Dohertys were harmed during the making of this episode. 

NOTES: 

Love LegenDerry Food Month has a mouth-watering programme to tempt foodies - 

www.legenderryfood.com/events  

Visit Derry: Great places to eat and drink as well as places to stay www.visitderry.com 

Feargal Doherty’s website - https://wildatlantictravelco.com

Feargal Doherty’s Derry Girls Food Tour -  https://wildatlantictravelco.com/taste-the-north-west/

venues included in food tour 

Castle Street Social - https://www.facebook.com/castlestreetsocial/

Lizzie O’Farrells - https://www.facebook.com/lizzieofarrells/

Doherty’s Bakery - William Street https://www.visitderry.com/food-and-drink/dohertys-home-bakery-p710311

The Derry Girls Food tour also includes: 

Joe Jacksons Ice Cream - ice cream making on Pump Street -  https://www.facebook.com/JJsDerry/?locale=en_GB

Yellowyard - everything 90s, selling old vinyl, DVDS and retro clothes, also location for the buying of the Flat Boy Slim tickets  https://www.facebook.com/TheYellowYard/?locale=en_GB

There’s a visit to the site of Dennis’ wee shop and a you get a 10p mix. 

Rossville Flats - Bogside Derry - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV-LRleRxNk

Doherty’s special mince - https://legenderryfood.com/local_producer/dohertys-meats/

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

McLaughlin’s - https://mclaughlinshardware.co.uk/about-us/

Battle of the Bogside - https://www.britannica.com/event/The-Troubles-Northern-Ireland-history/Civil-rights-activism-the-Battle-of-Bogside-and-the-arrival-of-the-British-army

Foyle Books - https://www.facebook.com/FoyleBooks/?locale=en_GB

Beech Hill Hotel - https://www.beech-hill.com

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

How much do you know about St Brigid? Ireland has named a new public holiday in her honour but the TDG's are embarrassed by their total ignorance of her story. 

This week Marie Louise, Pauline and Jeanie welcome Dr Niamh Wycherley who is a medieval historian at Maynooth University.

Who was Brigid? religious saint, kick ass pagan goddess or possibly a combination of the two? Dr Niamh helpfully advises the girls that everything we know about Brigid is a mixture of reality and myth. - "Everything and nothing is made up" 

Sounds like the ideal scenario for a TDG's discussion. 

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/ 

RTE: Finding Brigid - https://www.rte.ie/player/movie/finding-brigid/362119208110

https://www.rte.ie

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

Good article on Bad Ass Brigid - https://headstuff.org/entertainment/humour/the-10-times-st-brigid-was-a-badass/

Imbolc Festival in Derry - https://www.imbolcfestival.com/

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

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

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

2023 is a New Year full of exciting Derry Girls news and upcoming events. The TDG's are primed for action and start this week with a few 'bars' and a timely reminder to check your smoke alarm! 

Back in episode 52 we talked to the Mayor Sandra Duffy about the Derry Girls effect on the city and here we talk more about her role as Mayor and the privileges it brings. 

It's certainly not all clinking tea cups with the likes of us. Great craic as that was. 

The Mayor can choose a charity to support during their tenure and this year it is very close to Sandra's heart. - First Housing - aims to tackle homelessness in the City. 

But why does one wee boy declare the trappings of Mayoralty ‘vulgar’ and is the welcome mat really ready and waiting for Martin Scorsese? 

Derry photographer Declan Dillon tells the girls a bit about the inspiration for his Storyteller of the Street portraits and explains why sometimes it's the lending an ear that gives him most joy. 

Tower Museum Exhibition - The Peace Heroines of Northern Ireland https://towermuseumcollections.com/peaceheroines/

John Hume Musical - https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/beyond-belief-the-life-and-mission-of-john-hume

If you are able to get BBC here’s a TV documentary about the The White Handkerchief about the first in the trilogy - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00158z8/the-white-handkerchief

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

https://www.britannica.com/biography/David-Trimble

John Hume Obituary https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/03/john-hume-obituary

Plans and funding approved for Derry Girls Exhibition - https://www.derryjournal.com/news/people/plans-unveiled-for-new-derry-girls-exhibition-in-tower-museum-and-trail-of-key-filming-locations-3990815

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council - https://www.facebook.com/people/Sandra-Duffy/100068819905966/

The Mayor’s chosen charity https://www.first-housing.com/

Nancy Soderberg - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Soderberg

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

George Best Belfast City Airport - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Best_Belfast_City_Airport

Peace Flame Garden - https://voicemap.me/tour/derry-londonderry/highlights-of-the-walled-city-of-derry-londonderry/sites/peace-flame-garden

Declan Dillon - storyteller of the street 

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

facebook.com/search/top?q=storytellerofthestreet

derryjournal.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/qa-with-derrys-storyteller-of-the-street-declan-dillon-3430215

https://www.humansofnewyork.com

Nancy Soderberg - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Soderberg

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

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

Will the real Sister Michael please stand forward? Christmas is a time of magical dreams, imaginings and inexplicable happenings. During a recent pre-festive visit to their hometown the TDG's found themselves thrown off course by a chance collision of events that truly was a gift. 

They found themselves immersed in a story that started back in 1968 when a young nun requested a copy of the latest Scorsese. 

That nun was Mary Pat Kelly, she has written the book “Martin Scosese :A Journey”… and her Derry connections are off the scale 

She is Martin Scorsese’s real life Sister Michael. "Those Nuns" 

Happy Christmas. 

MARY PAT KELLY’S BOOK - MARTIN SCORSESE A JOURNEY - NEW EDITION - 17TH NOV 2022 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Martin-Scorsese-Mary-Pat-Kelly/dp/0306831015/ref=asc_df_0306831015/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=606682156008&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8861367680998903785&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046945&hvtargid=pla-1644475610300&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

THAT INTERVIEW WITH MARTIN SCORSESE AT THE ECONOMIC CLUB OF CHICAGO 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxsWoh8nQR4

THE PLAYHOUSE DERRY 

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

https://www.artsindustry.co.uk/feature/2417-my-story-the-playhouse-a-space-to-make-meaning-together

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lLG5nCqGOk

SHIRAH OF BETHLEHEM 

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

JOHN HUME - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/03/john-hume-obituary

Damien Gorman - new musical drama based on John Hume 

https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/beyond-belief-the-life-and-mission-of-john-hume

MARY PAT KELLY WRITING ABOUT HER FRIENDSHIP WITH JOHN HUME 

https://www.irishamerica.com/2020/08/to-live-for-irelandmary-pat-kelly-writes-about-her-friendship-with-politician-and-peacemaker-john-hume-2/

GRACE O’MALLEY - PIRATE QUEEN 

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/grace-o-malley-irish-female-pirate

CHICAGO RIOTS 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Chicago_riots

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Temptation_of_Christ_(film)

Back in their separate homesteads the TDG's are battling to unearth any Christmas spirit. Marie-Louise is still fighting her bug, Jeanie's wee English fella is also sick and her boiler has packed up, meanwhile Pauline's knickers are frozen. Mince pie anyone? 

Luckily they have memories of a very busy week in Derry, with Christmas cheer, gifts and shopping trips aplenty. 

Santa gets in on the act and Pauline suggests Jamie Dornan may just be the thing for every Derry Girls stocking this year - Did you know Santa was from Derry? Cue the sleighbells. 

Ep 16 Talking Derry Girls - with Richard Moore (Children in Crossfire)

Ep 25 Talking Derry Girls - with Jeanette Warke (The Fountain) 

Children in Crossfire: childrenincrossfire.org/

Hope bracelets as seen on Derry Girls Series 3: childrenincrossfire.org/product-category/derry-girls/

Santa at the Guildhall in Derry: derryjournal.com/news/people/santa-helping-derry-charity-raise-valuable-funds-3929296

Storyteller of the Street - Declan Dillon: instagram.com/declancartoon/?hl=en-gb

facebook.com/search/top?q=storytellerofthestreet

derryjournal.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/qa-with-derrys-storyteller-of-the-street-declan-dillon-3430215

John Hume’s peace prizes at the Guildhall: derrystrabane.com/Council/News/Historic-Peace-Collection-unveiled-at-Derry-s-Guil

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63900189

Ferry Clever: ferryclever.co.uk/

facebook.com/search/top/?q=Ferry%20Clever

Pure Derry: purederry.gifts/

Jamie Dornan: imdb.com/name/nm1946193/

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

What a week it's been for the TDG's - Together in Derry for a pre festive catch up and a few recordings plans took a bit of an unexpected turn. 

A date with the Mayor coincided with the announcement that Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee would receive her Freedom of the City the following week - in a very private and low key ceremony. Or was it? 

Flights were changed and press invites wrangled. Lisa has entered "Free Derry" and has a certificate to prove it, truly a great day as the Derry Girl herself became the first ever woman to be given Freedom of the City. Herstory made. 

Meanwhile in a ridiculously convoluted tale of serendipity Marie-Louise tracked down the woman who told Martin Scorsese to watch Derry Girls. In our wildest imaginings we could not have made this up. There is a nun involved. You do not want to miss this…

Lisa McGee being conferred with the Freedom of the City by Derry City and Strabane District Council: youtube.com/watch?v=PaUh2EEMfE8

Lisa’s Freedom of the City: bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63856911

Mary Pat Kelly - who told Martin Scorsese to watch Derry Girls: irishamerica.com/honoree/mary-pat-kelly-2/

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