Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Talking Derry Girls

Episode 106 - Derry Rocks the Boat We are a world record breaking City !  And we did it with style - courtesy of Micky Doherty, diplomacy - courtesy of the Nobel Institute and a total lack of grace - courtesy of the Talking Derry Girls. The Mayor and her chosen charities were in attendance, bravo to Foyle Hospice and The Ryan McBride Foundation for all their important and valued work.  The representatives of the Norwegian Nobel Institute were in town and were able to witness the Legacy of John Hume’s Peace Prize first hand…Did former SDLP leader Mark Durkan really sit them amongst a crowd of Derry Wans on Shipquay Street? What did they make of Rock the Boat and could Micky Doherty be in line for a Nobel Prize? Pauline celebrates her big Birthday, Marie-louise introduces her eldest daughter to the perils of Rock the Boat and Jeanie discovers that she and Mark Durkan introduced same sex marriage to Derry by both marrying the same person…this is Derry …all together “…Rock the Boat, Don’t Rock the Boat…’’!! NOTES:  Rock the Boat (Derry world record) -  https://www.derryjournal.com/news/people/we-did-it-derry-smashes-guinness-world-record-for-rock-the-boat-4616653 Mayor’s Charities - ROCK THE BOAT CHALLENGE - for Mayor Patrica Logue’s charities (Foyle Hospice and Ryan McBride Foundation).  https://foylehospice.com/rock-the-boat/ Foyle Hospice -  https://foylehospice.com/ Ryan McBride Foundation -  https://mcbride5foundation.com/ Mayor Patricia Logue swimming challenge -  https://www.derrystrabane.com/news/mayor-takes-the-plunge-in-aid-of-local-charities Mark Durkan -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Durkan Norwegian Nobel Institute  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Nobel_Institute https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olav_Nj%C3%B8lstad John Hume’s medals -  https://www.visitderry.com/blog/read/2022/12/john-humes-peace-prizes-bequeathed-to-derry-on-public-display-in-guildhall-b327 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63900189 Derry Girls Exhibition -  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66088882 Referendums and Good Friday Agreement -  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-61968177 TDGs Ep 42 Finale - Good Friday Agreement  TDGs Ep 100 chat with Lisa McGee about that Finale Episode. 

WARNING: CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 3 OF BLUE LIGHTS The Derry Girls - Blue Lights connections are well and truly there if you dig deep. The TDGs are joined by Derry Girl Louise Gallagher who had the original idea for Blue Lights. She also has a feature film under her belt:  ‘A Bump along the Way’ and an award winning short film ‘Rough’. As well as having her own production company, Louise works for Hat Trick (who made Derry Girls) developing new NI drama and comedy writing talent. Without giving away any major spoilers we talk about Blue Lights, Derry Girls, kissing slurping noises in films and whether you go up, down or over the town!  Notes:  Louise Gallagher -  https://www.gallagherfilms.co.uk/about A Bump Along the Way -  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9198724/ Tess McGowan -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10235159/ Bronagh Gallagher -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0302345/ The Commitment in Derry Girls -  https://www.bronaghgallagher.com/ TIFF - https://www.tiff.net/ Rough (award winning short film IFTA) -  https://www.roughfilm.com/ KIN -  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13444408/ Derek Thompson aka Robin Graham -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0860054/ Summary of Blue Lights Ep 3 - Love Knows  https://www.whattowatch.com/features/blue-lights-season-2-episode-3-recap-love-knows Black Mountain -  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/divis-and-the-black-mountain Bronagh Taggart (writer of Ep 3 Blue Lights and also in Derry Girls) -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846499/ Jonathan Harden aka Jonty -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2325042/ Madam last discovery -  https://www.facebook.com/p/Madams-Last-Discovery-100086459482698/?paipv=0&eav=AfZN6xJuZzpC3oeyQEQPjjUWs96uLkUYJX3zkgcegN73fCPsDWjbxfO6hlR6uX42f-4&_rdr Dea Matrona Band (who feature in Blue Lights Ep6) https://deamatrona.co.uk/ WAVE (Trauma Counselling) -  https://wavetraumacentre.org.uk/ Colin Davidson NI artist Silent Testimony -  https://irishartscenter.org/event/colin-davidson-silent-testimony https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp134355/colin-davidson Dearbháile McKinney aka Aisling and wee Aunt Sarah in Reunion Episode -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9130037/ Hannah McClean aka Jen Robinson - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6007345/ The Land of Saints and Sinners - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15782690/ (Starring Liam Neeson and few actors from Blue Lights and Derry Girls)  Hat Trick - https://www.hattrick.co.uk/ Roma Downey -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roma_Downey A Bump Along the Way -  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bump-Along-Way-Bronagh-Gallagher/dp/B083ZR497K Rough -  https://www.roughfilm.com/film Jazz Festival -https://cityofderryjazzfestival.com/ ROCK THE BOAT CHALLENGE - for Mayor Patrica Logue’s charities (Foyle Hospice and Ryan McBride Foundation).  https://foylehospice.com/rock-the-boat/ EP 3 - Jeanie’s dog Duke and the army  EP 81 and 82 Shirt Tales part 1&2 Factory Girls mouthwashers 

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.  

Winner of the Radio Times Award for TV Moment of the Year - the final episode of series 1 brings a fairground ride of emotions. Pauline, Jeanie and Marie Louise examine those things that just aren't talked about and discuss the secrets that we all keep in our search for acceptance. What was it like to be gay in 90's Derry? From dirty laundry to job interview tips and workplace training the girls build up to their own very personal reactions to that final award winning scene. Shoes of the world has actually been written in The Habit - it actually exists https://www.joe.ie/movies-tv/school-derry-girls-actually-brought-habit-magazine-back-perfect-article-617924 How to sort out your weekly wash…. just ask Pauline on our Facebook page… Gerry Anderson BBC Radio Ulster/ Radio Foyle legend - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p071wzdt/episodes/downloads Jimmy McShane https://www.derryjournal.com/news/brother-derry-pop-star-speaks-aids-stigma-and-devastation-173719 Armistad Maupin - Tales of the City https://www.armisteadmaupin.com/books-1 Derry Gay Pride https://www.facebook.com/foylepride/ Jimmy McShane https://www.derryjournal.com/news/brother-derry-pop-star-speaks-aids-stigma-and-devastation-173719 Chronicle of events in Ireland during the years of the troubles CAIN - 1998 https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch98.htm Lost Lives book (very hard to get hold off but good to know it’s out there https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/violence/mckittrick.htm Children of the Troubles by Joe Duffy and Freya McClements https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/book-tracing-the-186-children-who-died-in-the-troubles-launched-1.4053136 Radio Times TV moment of the year 2018 https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-12-31/top-tv-moments-2018/ A tribute album by various artists released after the Omagh bombing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Across_the_Bridge_of_Hope 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...   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's the 12th of July and the Derry Girls are leaving town. Pauline Jeanie and Marie Louise talk about the history of the 12th, being waved at by the big man off the telly and why a fortune teller had all the answers - maybe. They advise on taking the right purse and why packing a fruit cake in your hand luggage isn't recommended. They're having a whale of a time on the River Foyle, hitchhiking across the border and discussing the correct etiquette when invited to tea with paramilitaries.  The Sash: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sash Battle of the Boyne 1690: https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Boyne The Orange Order: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18769781 The Apprentice Boys of Derry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apprentice_Boys_of_Derry http://www.thesiegemuseum.org/ BBC Sounds a short history of Ireland podcast - from around omnibus 20 builds up to the history of the Orange Order; Siege of Derry and the Apprentice Boys of Derryhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mnfpl Derry - Londonderry City of Culture 2013: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/29/derry-city-of-culture-reawakened-idealism Drumcree standoff 1995-2000: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drumcree_conflict Different Drums - Roy Arbuckle: http://www.differentdrums.net/players/roy-arbuckle/ Rev Ian Paisley: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/12/the-rev-ian-paisley Moby Dick - The Novel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby-Dick Dick - the whale in the Foyle! https://www.derryjournal.com/news/dopey-dick-has-retired-scotland-784232 Tommy Teirnan - Gerry Quinn: https://www.tommedian.com/ The Punt - currency in Ireland before the Euro..  http://www.irishcoinage.com/PICINDX4.HTM Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11121336 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_loyalism Club Biscuits: https://mcvities.co.uk/products/club Bronagh Taggart - Nicola in Peggy’s diner: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846499/ Terence Keeley - the wee ‘ra man in the boot: See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Even if some of the hosts have eight bedrooms and a chocolate fountain, one wean from Chernobyl is not impressed and Granda Joe's new ‘friend’ has started a Cold War. Pauline, Jeanie and Marie Louise talk condoms, blow-dries and the downsides to a bomb damaged bargain. Pauline discovers why it really matters whether Granda Joe bought a cream horn or a cream finger and whether the Stations of the Cross is a suitable place for a date. The Walls of Derry: https://thederrywalls.com/ Why people starved within the walls - The Siege of Derry: https://www.culturenorthernireland.org/features/heritage/siege-derry The Undertones: http://theundertones.com/_/Home.html Snow - Informer (1992) - Great Irish name - Darrin Kenneth O’Brien. Well worth a read! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_(musician) https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/snow-interview-2019-informer-con-calma-837818/ Chernobyl Children in NI: https://en-gb.facebook.com/foyleandinishowencci/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-36140015 Pump Street and cream horns…https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ireland/derry-girls-guide-to-derry-murals-cream-horns-and-sr-michael-stout-1.3816482 ACTOR Diona Doherty (Katya): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5189746/ Eurovision Song Contest - Cork 1993 - Ireland kept winning the contest which meant they had to host the next one! Ireland won 1993 so we were then treated to River Dance during the interval in 1994: http://www.millstreet.ie/blog/tag/eurovision-1993-memories Aran jumpers - they look good no matter what size you are - ignore Jeanie! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aran_jumper East Belfast - where Wee Clive was from, a really interesting history to this place: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/we-serve-up-50-fascinating-facts-about-east-belfast-30958166.html ACTOR: Anthony Boyle (David Donnelly): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4996269/ Only a Woman’s heart - Eleanor McEvoy and Mary Black: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjQP9931NhU This is such a great story from Frank Crummey and his boot filled with condoms: See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Exam time leads to some new found religious devotions. Even the statues are moved. Or is it all a tall tale? Pauline, Jeanie and Marie Louise examine the phenomena of the "sexy priest", crushes on the older man and why burying a dog doesn't necessarily mean it's dead. There's bingo, bellies, dogsh*t, army manoeuvres and ironing. Plus the realisation that everyone's a liar. No offence! Ian McElhinney: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568400/ Ian's interview with The Derry Journal: https://www.derryjournal.com/whats-on/big-interview-game-thrones-and-derry-girls-actor-ian-mcelhinney-164921 Jonathan Swift: https://www.biography.com/scholar/jonathan-swift Ballinspittle Co Cork - moving statue RTE TV report: https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/news/21203792-moving-statue-in-ballinspittle/ John Hume: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1998/hume/biographical/ Father Ted: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111958/ The Thorn Birds: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085101/ Fleabag: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5687612/ Derry Journal: https://www.derryjournal.com/ 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.

What’s yours? Or maybe that should be ‘Do you want chips with that?’ Everyone gets enthusiastic about a school trip to Paris - sure their newly discovered trust funds will cover the cost - won’t they? We learn how a ban from the chip shop in ‘90s Derry was a worse fate than being tied up by masked men and how either would still be preferable to an evening with boring Uncle Colm. Pauline, Jeanie and Marie-Louise talk school assemblies, the realisation that we are not all equal and how Derry men embraced being stay at home dads, long before it was fashionable. Would you like salt and vinegar with that?  Daniel O’Donnell: http://danielodonnell.org/ Woolworths - first store in UK: http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/aboutwoolies.html Wellworths: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellworths Derry’s shirt factories: https://www.culturenorthernireland.org/features/heritage/shirt-industry Night Hawks - RTE: https://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/1024/826451-comedian-kevin-mcaleer/ Samuel Beckett: https://www.biography.com/writer/samuel-beckett Morecambe and Wise: http://www.morecambeandwise.com/viewpage.aspx?pageid=17 The Big Issue (North): Jamie Lee O’Donnell doesn’t talk about the corona stone in this interview but it’s still a crackin' read - https://www.bigissuenorth.com/issues/1343/ 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.

Pauline, Jeanie and Marie-Louise go back to where it all began in Episode 1: Erin wakes to find her cousin Orla reading her diary. Clare wants to be an individual. Michelle has made the connection between Derry and Pulp Fiction, Slainte Mofos. The wee English Fella is learning some harsh realities. We meet the the players from our ensemble cast and learn that picking a favourite isn’t going to be easy.  Our girls talk teenage diaries, how bombs play havoc with your suntan and the quickest route from Dennis’ wee shop to the school bus.  Discover how John Travolta could have married a Derry Girl, why matchboxes are to be feared and how one Londonderry girl nearly donned a sash at a very early age. This was most definitely not a sash her father would have worn.  Episode 1 of Lisa McGee’s Derry Girls: where it all began and new comedy gold was born.  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/ Bronagh Gallagher: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0302345/ That disco dancing fella that was in Look who’s Talking: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000237/ BBC Radio Foyle Breakfast Show: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wdb5r   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Meet Pauline, Marie-Louise and Jeanie! They are devoted fans of the 90s-based hit comedy, Derry Girls, set in their home city. Sharp, warm and a wee bit sweary, Derry Girls has a language and a humour that is unique…a bit like Derry itself. Each week, the three will be talking about an episode and the city they love. Whether you’re a first timer to the award winning series or a seasoned viewer, anxiously waiting for series 3 to be filmed, you are all very welcome. And remember, you don’t have to be from Derry/Londonderry or even a girl - being a Derry Girl is a state of mind! Join us next Wednesday (24 June) when we'll be chatting about Derry Girls episode 1, series 1.  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.

Fancy a bit of craic? Jeanie, Marie-Louise and Pauline love the Channel 4 sit-com Derry Girls. A brand new podcast - COMING SOON. Brought to you by The Big Light network.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 derrybrigid@gmail.com 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

The Blue Lights obsession continues. WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR EP 2 BLUE LIGHTS.  Never record a podcast on an empty stomach! The Talking Derry Girls sausage roll fondness returns, what even is a capsicum and chilli jam? It's a long way from avocado on toast we were reared. Maybe the girls need to re-evaluate their breakfast menu options as they discuss the possibility of running their own B & B in Derry City centre. Maybe they'd be better buying the Blue Lights pub -The Loyal - currently for sale in Belfast. POA (Price on Application)...what is it with POA? Do you want us to buy the place or not…? Coach parties welcome. Breakfast not included - POA! NOTES:  Blue Lights - Ep2 Iceberg  https://www.whattowatch.com/features/blue-lights-season-2-episode-2-recap-iceberg Lundy -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Lundy Ferry Clever - https://ferryclever.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/ferryclever/reel/C5-2icuI3cs/ UV Arts (creators of the Derry Girls mural) -  https://www.facebook.com/uvartscic/?locale=en_GB IFTA - https://www.ifta.ie/ Richard Dormer aka Gerry Cliff -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0233807/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UODdDnCihQ4 Curran (half way between Belfast and Derry) -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curran,_County_Londonderry Ponderosa (the highest pub in Ireland) -  https://theponderosabar.com/ The Loyal Pub for sale -  https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/blue-lights-bar-featured-in-hit-bbc-series-up-for-sale/a1505450129.html Frank Blake aka Shane Bradley -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8984706/ Kenneth Brannagh -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000110/ 1987 Public Enemy -  https://variety.com/1994/legit/reviews/public-enemy-1200439459/ Late 80s Look Back in Anger -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look_Back_in_Anger_(1989_film) Hope Street -  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14354984/ Tara Lynne O’Neil joining BBC’s Hope Street as an inspector -  https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/hope-street-series-four-filming-starts Claire Allan writer - The Affair -  https://www.claireallan.com/ Desmond Eastwood aka Murray Canning -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5708540/ Martin McCann aka Stevie Neil -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564901/ Lambeg Drum -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambeg_drum Battle of the Somme (Thiepval) -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiepval_Memorial Hamilton Flute Band -  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-36671190 Rock the Boat (The world attempt 4th May 1130) Mayor’s charities - Foyle Hospice and Ryan McBride Foundation get registered -  https://foylehospice.com/rock-the-boat/  or email  noelmcmonagle@foylehospice.com  for more details. Mayor Patricia Logue’s charities -  https://www.derrystrabane.com/about-council/mayor/mayor-s-charity Stephen Lawrence Inquiry -  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68877983 The Met Police has agreed, dormant inquiry to be reopened. Latest news on Bloody Sunday -  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68854561 EP 57 - Porn star Martinis featured in this TDGs episode about the Legenderry Food Festival and the Derry Girls foodie tour  EP 101 - Episode featuring Rock the Boat 

Marie-Louise finds her true self and Jeanie discovers that the only member of her family to embrace their family identity is Charlie the dog. Meanwhile Pauline confesses to telling people that Marie-Louise is a girl to marry. 3 years since their first chat with "Derry Girls" creator Lisa McGee the girls are nostalgic about that memorable encounter..wonder if Lisa still prefers a cream finger to a cream horn? Jeanie has reignited her David Beckham flame, Pauline claims only to have binge watched his 4 part Netflix documentary "Beckham" for the Spice Girls footage and Marie-Louise is prepping for a special broadcast from the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy Co Derry to commemorate Book Week NI and the 10th anniversary of the Nobel Laureate’s death. Anyone who has heard the Radio 4 broadcast of Loose Ends will know that "Blue Lights" writers and creators Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson were guests. Marie-Louise co hosted - Declan has said that the girls could be extras, wonder if he remembers? NOTES  Marie-Louise co-hosting Loose Ends on BBC Radio 4 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001rgqz (available for 30 days)  Clive Anderson  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Anderson Blue Lights  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14466018/ Belfast International Arts Festival -https://belfastinternationalartsfestival.com/2023-festival/ Take That podcast coming soon -https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42Kvn2/ Beckham on Netflix  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Beckham Soweto Gospel Choir -https://www.sowetogospelchoir.com/ Rogue Agent  https://www.rogueagentfilm.com/ James Norton -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Norton_(actor) Robert Freegard -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hendy-Freegard Marie-Louise’s Culture Cafe on BBC Sounds  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001rqjd Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Co Derry https://seamusheaneyhome.com/ https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1995/heaney/facts/ Bellaghy  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellaghy Glenn Patterson  https://www.glennpatterson.com/page4 The Letters of Seamus Heaney  https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571341085-the-letters-of-seamus-heaney/ Four Sides of Seamus Heaney BBC Radio Sounds - 4 part series   https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m001pt1p (available for over a year) Spice Girls  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice_Girls (As featured in Series 3 of Derry Girls Ep1 - The Affair) City of Derry International Choir Festival (mass sing along to Dreams on 19th October) - https://derrychoirfest.com/ Vote for us (and get all your friends to vote for us as well) for listeners choice in the Irish Podcast Awards - you have to vote before Thursday 19th October (remember to do the email bit at the end to make it count)  https://www.theirishpodcastawards.ie/#listenerschoice Earlier TDGs episodes we refer to in Ep86  Ep 9 - This ’n That  Ep 13 - The first time we talked to Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee  Ep 66 - Blue Lights  Ep 67 - Take a Beat with Declan Lawn (co-writer of Blue Lights) 

This week the Talking Derry Girls are discussing when life imitates art. Who knew when Lisa McGee dreamt of Fat Boy Slim coming to Derry for a gig that a mere 25 or so "timeline years" later the gig would not only happen - but sell out in seconds? No incidents of queue jumping or violence recorded. A “Derry Girls” theme also takes over the City of Derry International Choir Festival with a mass singalong taking place in the Guildhall square. Following on from previous years when “Teenage Kicks” and “The Town I loved So Well” were the songs of choice this year's song is the Derry Girls' theme, “Dreams” by the Cranberries. Marie-Louise will be there to introduce it. We challenge her not to sing… Meanwhile Pauline reveals an interest in Northern Ireland public transport timetables - Uncle Colm would be impressed - though it's all thanks to new N I based film “Ballywalter”. The girls wonder if Marie-Louise’s co hosting of BBC Radio 4's “Loose Ends” could help with their bid to be extras on “Blue Lights” - currently filming in Northern Ireland - writer Declan Lawn is a guest…watch this space. Culture Cafe with Marie-Louise BBC Radio Ulster/Radio Foyle  8th October 2023 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001r7kc Liz Weir - Storyteller https://www.lizweir.org/ Fatboy Slim in Derry (it’s now sold out) https://www.derryjournal.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/jika-jika-announces-fatboy-slim-gig-4359994 DerryChoirFest and DerryGirls big sing https://derrychoirfest.com/ Ballywater (film) https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/ballywalter-review/5176257.article Patrick Kielty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Kielty Seána Kerslake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seána_Kerslake Ulster American -https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/ulster-american-announcement-89161/ Loose Ends - BBC Radio Four 14th October https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001rgqz London Irish https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Irish_(TV_series) Available on Channel 4 and Amazon Prime (both UK and USA) The Lovers https://www.sky.com/watch/the-lovers https://g.co/kgs/47MUju David Ireland actor and playwright -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ireland_(playwright) https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0409854/ https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23358175.david-ireland-shocking-new-play-cyprus-avenue-tron-theatre/ Roisin Gallagher https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3481069/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roisin_Gallagher Johnny Flynn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Flynn Conleth Hill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conleth_Hill London Irish https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Irish_(TV_series) Available on Channel 4 and Amazon Prime and on DVD (both UK and USA) Feargal Sharkey and water pollution  https://www.derryjournal.com/news/environment/feargal-sharkey-to-discuss-mobuoy-dump-lough-neagh-and-water-pollution-with-eamonn-mccann-at-think-left-4350577?fbclid=IwAR1YganzIj6IAs0Ab2_beBdxNKWUjAeb5b-UyXbaYx5RZrRf4DxD80vt53A Feargal Sharkey on Leading podcast with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart  https://uk-podcasts.co.uk/podcast/leading/27-feargal-sharkey-teenage-kicks-bobby-sands-and-s NI Designer who has dressed Siobhan McSweeney; Tara Lynne O’Neill and The Edge from U2 for their gig in Las Vegas!   https://www.eadach.com/designer https://uktheatre.org/uk-theatre-awards-2023/?fbclid=IwAR2Ma4leYeGIOVRVKhCfsNnsjbh6OvsrtB62kC6p_zVUwGXFFL8OikqqJ7M

Ten years after Lisa McGee's "London Irish" premiered on Channel 4 the Talking Derry Girls decided to take a closer look. Their binge watch raised some interesting questions - like when did you first video call and should Louis Walsh have been decommissioned as part of the Good Friday Agreement? We recommend watching the series yourself - mainly because it's class but also it might just help you understand some of the many trajectories this weeks episode goes off in. Not least, another recent binge watch, David Ireland's "The Lovers". Throw in a bit of "Riverdance", ask whether "Derry Girls" was really a Channel 4 pity project, pitch for "Derry Girls The Musical" and you may just need a little lie down after… or have a drink!  London Irish - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Irish_(TV_series) Available on Channel 4 and Amazon Prime (both UK and USA)  Art (Peter) Campion aka Fr Peter talking about London Irish  https://www.channel4.com/press/news/peter-campion-interview#:~:text=Packy%20is%20short%20for%20Patrick,it's%20a%20nickname%20for%20Patrick Sinaed Keenan - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin%C3%A9ad_Keenan Aidan Turner https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aidan_Turner What’s Funny about Derry Girls BBC Sounds (BBC Radio 4)  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001qtms?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile Louis Walsh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Walsh Angela Scanlon (BBC Strictly come dancing) https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/angela-scanlon-strictly-come-dancing-2023-contestant/ Les Dennis (BBC Strictly Come Dancing) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12589211/Strictlys-Les-Dennis-clashed-Nancy-Xu-scenes-pair-faled-gel-eliminated.html David Ireland actor and playwright - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ireland_(playwright) https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0409854/ https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23358175.david-ireland-shocking-new-play-cyprus-avenue-tron-theatre/ Roisin Gallagher https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3481069/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roisin_Gallagher Johnny Flynn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Flynn Conleth Hill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conleth_Hill The Lovers - https://www.sky.com/watch/the-lovers https://g.co/kgs/47MUju Marie-Louise’s BBC Radio Ulster programme Culture Cafe - Riverdance https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001qt3v (Watch out for chat with Roisin Gallagher on Culture Cafe on Sunday 8th October.  Bill Whelan - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Whelan https://www.lilliputpress.ie/product/the-road-to-riverdance-bill-whelan https://seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873637564 (Bill Whelan at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Bellaghy 14th October) Paul Mallon - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2546951/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0016gpt (Paul Mallon is in this brilliant series and is recording second series now) The first time Riverdance was ever performed on RTE in 1994. (Nearly 30 not 25 years ago!!)  https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=River+dance&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:6366c0a5,vid:w0v_pu6miJ8,st:0 Terry Wogan talking about Riverdance https://riverdance.com/blog/2016/02/01/riverdance-on-terry-wogans-ireland/ Damian McGinty - singer and actor from Derry who was in Glee TDGs talked to him in Ep21  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damian_McGinty

Ever modest the Talking Derry Girls don't often talk about their Irish Podcast Award…pause for Sister Michael - "What you actually want me to read this" - Anyhoo, the girls won the inaugural award in 2022 claiming Gold for best Arts and Culture Podcast.  This week they were in Derry attending a conference in the Guildhall marking 10 years since the "LegenDerry" City of Culture 2013. "Cracking the Cultural Code" raised some interesting questions - not least should the TDGs be allowed access to alcohol on recording days. NOTES:  IRISH PODCAST AWARDS - DON’T FORGET TO VOTE FOR US IN THE LISTENERS AWARD  https://www.theirishpodcastawards.ie/ Vote for us here in the Irish Podcast Awards  https://www.theirishpodcastawards.ie/voting 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF DERRY-LONDONDERRY being the first UK City of Culture https://www.derryjournal.com/news/people/council-holding-conference-to-celebrate-10th-anniversary-of-derry-city-of-culture-4337269 Marie-Louise writing about UK City of Culture back in 2010! https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/artsextra/2010/01/i-was-up-in-my.shtml Sir Phil Redmond https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Redmond Stage Beyond - https://www.stagebeyond.com/ Playhouse Derry https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/

"In the early morning the shirt factory horn Called the women from Creggan, The Moor and The Bog" It is not only in Phil Coulter songs that the women of Derry played such an important role. This week the TDGs hear more about life in and out of the factories. Lessons learnt, skills taught and confidences shared. Is there a difference between a rinser and a washer? Just how important was a headscarf or a handbag. Did/do the women always agree? Listen out for the horn. NOTES:  Friends of the Factories  https://www.friendsofthefactories.com/   Shirts, Singers and Sewing exhibition in now housed at the Fashion & Textile Design Centre in Shipquay Street in Derry City centre.  https://towermuseumcollections.com/shirtssingersandsewing/ BBC Radio Ulster - Stories in Sound, Factory Girls https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008nmp Shirt Factory Heritage Walking Tour https://www.derriedanders.co.uk/tour/shirt-factory-heritage-walking-tour Friends of the Factories - plaques initiative https://www.friendsofthefactories.com/gallery-1 Local Women Magazine - https://localwomenmagazine.com/ Shirt Factory Heritage Walking Tour https://www.derriedanders.co.uk/tour/shirt-factory-heritage-walking-tour Friends of the Factories - plaques initiative https://www.friendsofthefactories.com/gallery-1 The Friends of the Factory Workers scheme was the winner of the Women’s History Network Community History Prize in 2021.   https://womenshistorynetwork.org/womens-history-network-2021-community-history-prize-winners-friends-of-the-factories/ Derry’s factory girls: A window into the adult world  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49740625.amp Plaques at St Columb’s Hall to commemorate visits by Emmeline Pankhust, Eleanor Marx and Margaret Cousins - https://www.derrynow.com/news/news/630815/plaques-unveiled-at-st-columb-s-hall-in-derry-to-commemorate-historic-visits.html Derry Girls and Rock and Roll  https://www.derryjournal.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/13-photographs-of-factory-girls-and-rock-n-roll-at-the-millennium-forum-4030642 Willie Deery -   https://www.derrynow.com/news/arts---entertainment/1018082/a-derry-play-with-a-difference-factory-girls-and-rock-n-roll.html Shirts, Singer and Sewing exhibition snippets of interviews with factory girls carried out by Naomi Petropoulos  originalderrygirls.com Fashion and Textile Centre https://www.fashionanddesignhub.com/ Derry Eurovision song winner Dana - https://www.irishnews.com/arts/2023/04/27/news/dana_talks_eurovision_saint_patrick_and_politics-3235966/ Tinney’s Bar - The Shirt Factory cocktail bar - https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/new-shirt-factory-bar-derry-21405998.  TDGs SHIRT TALES - PART 1 EP62 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 SHIRT TALES - PART2 EP81  Jeanie and Pauline talk to Mary White and Clare Moore who were factory girls in Derry. They have both been active in making sure the factory girls are never forgotten.  TDGs EP20 - The Forces are with us - we find out about the overseas forces who were based in Derry during and after WW2. 

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

Declan Lawn talks Series 2 of everyone's favourite cop show. Spoiler alert, you may want to watch Episode 1 of the new series before listening as the girls do discuss it . All other eps are safe as co writer/ co creator Declan has promised to return once the whole series has aired…there are so many questions yet to ask. Series 2 launches in Australia on Thursday 18th April, American audiences will have to wait another 6 weeks, date as yet tbc. With lots of questions the Girls couldn't ask - spoilers - they still managed to put the thumbscrews on Declan to discuss how much URST will be in series 2 and if any of it becomes RST (that's unresolved sexual tension for anyone who hasn't heard Episode 67 where the girls talk to him about Series 1) Not sure if the topics are connected but there is also a lively discussion about the contents of Stevie’s lunchbox. All the big questions are answered here … Notes: IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO WATCH EP 1 OF BLUE LIGHTS BEFORE LISTENING.  Blue Lights - Ep1 Series 3; This too shall pass  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14466018/ Blue Lights series two promises 'absolute chaos' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68770877 https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/apr/15/blue-lights-series-two-review-last-years-breakout-police-hit-is-as-beautifully-tense-as-ever URST - unresolved sexual tension  https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=urst RST - resolved sexual tension!  Seamus O’Hara aka Lee Thompson -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5339108/ Frank Blake aka Constable Shane Bradley -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8984706/ President Bill Clinton’s speech in Derry  https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/peace/docs/pres2.htm Rev Ian Paisley -  https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/12/the-rev-ian-paisley Historic cases in Northern Ireland -  https://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/case-studies/northern-irelands-past.html Culture Cafe (Marie-Louise’s programme) BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle/Sounds - guest this week was Eoin O’Callaghan who created the music for Blue Lights -  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001y9yb Catherine Grimes - music supervisor  https://www.what-song.com/music-supervisor/catherine-grimes Louise Gallagher -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5644255/ Soak - Derry song writer -  https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/02/soak-bridie-monds-watson Ferry Clever -  https://ferryclever.co.uk/ Stephen Walker -  https://www.stephenwalker.uk/ Historic cases in Northern Ireland -  https://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/case-studies/northern-irelands-past.html WAVE -  https://wavetraumacentre.org.uk/ We discussed Series 1 Blue Lights in Eps 66 and 67 of TDGs. Declan Lawn was our guest in Ep 67. 

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 

The sun is shining on the good people of Derry and the TDG's are remembering sunbed sessions and suntans past and present. Did nude sunbathing ever take off in Donegal and what exactly did Pauline witness on a Northern Irish beach this week? Marie Louise has been mixing with the glitteratti once again while winning yet another award at the Royal Television Society NI awards in Belfast. Derry Girls and Derry Girl, Jamie Lee O Donnell also brought home the top prizes.  Meanwhile Jeanie has discovered that there are at least two and a half thousand reasons why being born in Ireland makes living to 100 cause for celebration.  Summer's here, someone pass the tanning mitt.  NOTES:  RTS NI Award - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0b8kqqt (not available to watch on BBC at the moment)  https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/be/gallery/rts-ni-awards-take-place-27039768 Louise Gallagher - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5644255/ The Real Derry - https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-real-derry-jamie-lee-odonnell The Fake - fake tan story https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/may/14/irish-times-apologises-for-hoax-ai-article-about-womens-use-of-fake-tan Benone Stand - https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/see-do/beaches/benone-strand https://www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com/ Visit Derry https://www.visitderry.com/ Blue Lights https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14466018/ (now available in Australia) Diona Doherty https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/news/diona-doherty-tv-star-on-motherhood-ivf-and-why-nothing-is-out-of-bounds/41809430.html Your 100th birthday in Ireland  https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/older-and-retired-people/centenarians-bounty/ Celtic Media Awards - https://www.celticmediafestival.co.uk/ BBC Dead Hand with Paul Mallon - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015vls TDGs episodes referred to - https://podfollow.com/1518036400 Episode 36 - Series 3 Episode 1 (The Night before) Episode 1 - Dear Diary Episode 11 - Ballgowns and Let downs  Episode 70 - Work Experience TDGs Style  Episode 4 - It’s all a load of Walls (which has the first scene 29th May 2017  Episode 18 - Ask yer Ma with Tara Lynne O’Neill 

Jeanie spent the past week experiencing work. In the company of two wee English fellas, she went back to basics and introduced her son and his pal to the intricacies of producing and presenting a podcast.  Safe to say that they all ended the week having learned a lot. After watching all three seasons back to back and then being forced to listen to the Talking Derry Girls Episode 42 on the finale - Agreement episode - the boys have truly experienced Derry Girls.  Their in depth indoctrination into all things Derry Girls also included listening to Episode 13 of the podcast where the girls chatted to Lisa McGee about all things Derry and Derry Girls. Our young workers learned a lot from hearing her take on things too. Safe to say that 2 teenage boys had a very different view of certain events to the 3 women of a certain age who are the TDGs. Aware that they were viewing themes like the James and Erin relationship from a teen male perspective, the boys drafted in a female friend to bring some sanity to proceedings.  The week was certainly an experience… But was it work?  Not a lot of notes this week:  References to Ep 13 of Talking Derry Girls with Lisa McGee  Ep 42 The Finale https://podfollow.com/1518036400 BBC along with Open University and PBS - https://creation.com/once-upon-a-time-in-northern-ireland U3A Foyle - https://u3afoyle.com/about/ Open University with North West College  https://www.derrynow.com/news/local-news/1026153/the-open-university-form-ground-breaking-partnership-with-derry-college.html www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls 

It came to our attention recently that some of you are following in our footsteps… Pauline had a tip off that someone we know well may have more information. Any excuse to visit our favourite bookshop. Pauline caught up with Jenni from Little Acorns and got the gen on some recent customers. All the way from the U.S they were following our advice on getting the best from a trip to Derry. Photographic evidence of their trip flooded our social media so Marie Louise as our resident TD Girl decided it was only right to go track the visitors down - they weren't going to be hard to find, after all we had told them where to go…  Jeanie meanwhile was safe in Surrey having undertaken some recent work experience, evidence of which should be available soon.  NOTES:  City of Derry Airport - https://www.facebook.com/CoDerryAirport/?locale=en_GB New Ebrington Hotel - https://theebringtonhotel.com/ NI local Govenernment elections - https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/05/22/it-is-our-duty-to-build-a-tolerant-society-northern-ireland-elects-its-first-black-councillor/ Long Day’s journey into night - https://www.timeout.com/london/news/brian-cox-will-return-to-the-west-end-to-star-in-long-days-journey-into-night-121522 Little Acorns Bookstore - https://www.facebook.com/LittleAcornsBookstore/?locale=en_GB Bishopsgate Hotel - https://www.facebook.com/bishopsgatehotelderry/?locale=en_GB Ferry Clever -  https://www.facebook.com/ferrycleverdesigns/ Martin McCrossan Derry City walking tours - https://www.derrycitytours.com/ The other priest (Justyn who runs Hidden City Cafe) - https://www.facebook.com/hiddencitycafederry/?locale=en_GB Tower Museum - https://www.facebook.com/towermuseum/?locale=en_GB Visit Derry - https://www.visitderry.com/ Episode 30 TDGs about - Amelia Earhart : Facebook page for Amelia Derry Earhart: https://www.facebook.com/Amelia-Derry-Earhart-902000866508749/ You can see some of Beth’s photos on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls/ (do give us a follow to keep up to date)  Chocolate Manor - in Castlerock https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateManor/?locale=en_GB Those spectacular Walls - https://thederrywalls.com/ Claire Allan - Derry based author https://www.claireallan.com/ also Episode 28 TDGs  Once upon a time in Northern Ireland (PBS are also involved so will probably be made available in USA - https://creation.com/once-upon-a-time-in-northern-ireland https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0ff7cg0 Richard Moore - https://www.childrenincrossfire.org/ Also in Episode 16 on TDGs.  Jeanette Warke Episode 25 TDGs 

Full disclosure needed. The TDGs weren't planning to be here this week. Work and family commitments had taken over. However we hadn't allowed for the enormity of this year's BAFTAS.  From the moment Siobhan McSweeney swept onto the stage to collect her award for Female Performance in a Comedy Programme they knew discussions had to be had - and that was before the Internet exploded with news that her hilarious and on point acceptance speech had been "edited" (for timing reasons say the BBC… political reasons say pretty much all of the rest of us).  Links to both versions of the speech are in the notes you may want to take a look before listening.  Lisa Mc Gee added to her BAFTA stash with the award for Best Scripted Comedy bringing the Derry Girls BAFTA tally for the final series to 3.  Maybe a good time to remind you that Jeanie, Pauline and Marie-Louise were extras in series 3… Fading to black after half a second of screen time in the funeral scene in episode 6. BAFTA winning performance x 3…! Join Pauline and Jeanie as they discuss shoes, dresses and censorship….and to anyone who believes that silencing the force behind Sister Michael was justified "you might want to think about wising up". NOTES:  BAFTAS - https://www.bafta.org/television/awards/bafta-television-2023-nominations-winners the two interviews side-by-side!  https://twitter.com/OhHeyJacob/status/1657951174761357314?s=20 Alistair Campbell - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_Campbell Rory Stewart - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory_Stewart The Rest is Politics - https://podfollow.com/1611374685 (The Rest is Politics) Leading - https://podfollow.com/1665265193 Tony Blair -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Blair Gerry Adams - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Adams Lynette Fay show BBC Radio Ulster - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001lymk (We were on the last 15 mins or so)  Children in Crossfire - and the Hope braclets worn by the cast at the BAFTAs and Series 3 Richard Moore who founded the Derry based international charity was a guest on TDGs Ep 16  Richard has an amazing personal story and is also incredibly funny!  https://www.childrenincrossfire.org/ https://www.childrenincrossfire.org/shop/ Ep 46 - For the Tape - Ma Mary  Tara Lynne O’Neill aka Ma Mary was a guest on TDGs. (Well worth a re-listen!) 

CONTAINS A SPOILER! Just in case you haven’t watched Blue Lights yet!  We have a wee challenge for you this week. Can you count how many times Blue Lights writer Declan Lawn makes us gasp during this chat?  Currently writing series 2 we deployed the mantra of Blue Lights favourite Gerry and reminded Declan "If you catch a break - take it"  Derry pedigree duly scrutinised Declan discusses the workings of the writer's room as a creative concept and how the acting and creative talent on tap in Northern Ireland is a joy for anyone involved in the Arts.  Derry Girls is naturally on the agenda and Declan has something to say about how Lisa McGee's creation has opened the door for others.  Back to the idea of gasps and the TDG's are introduced to a new concept… U.R.S.T. Who knew!?  Spoiler Alert : the elephant in the room moment… Really - how could he? SPOILER WARNING - DON’T LISTEN BETWEEN ‪34.30 - 40.22‬ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS..!!  The answer is both moving and, sorry to admit it, understandable.  Finally since series 2 is still being written could there maybe, just perhaps, be a small role for 3 ladies of a certain age in the new series?...  NOTES:  Interview with Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson - writers of BBC’s Blue Lights.  https://www.televisual.com/news/blue-lights-q-a-with-declan-lawn-adam-patterson/ Outline of Blue Lights - Slugger O’Toole’s blog follows each episode but there’s a warning about spoilers (no spoilers in this first piece!  https://sluggerotoole.com/2023/03/28/frequent-flyers/ URST from the Global dictionary - Acronym for UnResolved Sexual Tension. Originated in the Australian TV series the secret life of us. "Wow, check out the urst flying back and forth between … Claire Allan, Novelist based in Derry - https://www.claireallan.com/ U.R.S.T. - Acronym for UnResolved Sexual Tension. Originated in the Australian TV series the secret life of us. "Wow, check out the urst flying back and forth between … The Sailsbury Posionings is still available on the BBC iplayer - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p08dqns1/the-salisbury-poisoningswritten by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson Louise Gallagher https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5644255/ Michael Shea aka Mo McInyre aka Clive the wee prod from East Belfast - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6457179/ URST subjects -  Sian Brooke aka Grace Ellis https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1604939/?ref_=tt_cl_t_2 Martin McCann aka Steve Neil https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564901/?ref_=tt_cl_t_5 Dearbhaile McKinny aka Aisling (Ep5 Blue Lights) aka wee Aunt Sarah (Series 3 - The Reunion) https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9130037/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t43 Nathan Braniff aka Tommy Foster https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10135090/?ref_=tt_cl_t_4 Richard Dormer aka Gerry Cliff https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0233807/?ref_=tt_cl_t_12 John Lynch aka James McIntyre https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001487/?ref_=tt_cl_t_10 Art Campion (Father Peter in Derry Girls) drug dealer in Blue Lights https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4113743/ Chris Ferry - Ferry Clever - https://ferryclever.co.uk/  Sent from my iPhone

The Talking Derry Girls are in a book! And not just any old book but an academic one about teaching history in America. Of course it’s not just us - Derry Girls and The Cranberries are in there too, in the same chapter. Pauline and Jeanie muse on this fact, and wonder if academic stalking is OK in the name of research. And if they could now, like Lisa McGee get an honorary degree! Maybe a lecture tour across the states. Pauline talks to Dr Starlynn Nance - Professor of Education at the university of Central Missouri. Starlynn became an instant fan of Derry Girls and could see the potential in using the TV programme to teach hard history!  NOTES:  Dr Starlynn Nance’s book - Hollywood or History - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollywood-History-Starlynn-R-Nance-ebook/dp/B0B21T6T3W An inquiry-based strategy for using television shows to teach issue-centred curriculum. It was published in 2022. https://www.ucmo.edu/academics/programs/majors/coe/educational-foundations-and-literacy/educational-foundations/secondary-education-bse-social-studies/index.php University of Central Missouri https://www.ucmo.edu/ Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Radden_Keefe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Say_Nothing_(book) An inquiry-based strategy for using television shows to teach issue-centred curriculum. It was published in 2022. Zombie by The Cranberries - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ejga4kJUts Lyra McKee - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyra_McKee Easter Rising 1916 - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland/index.php/articles/what-was-the-easter-rising Episodes of Talking Derry Girls about Blue Lights  Ep66 and Ep67 

For the tape… and new listeners, Talking Derry Girls are Pauline Moore, Jeanie Messenger and Marie-Louise Muir. However whilst they are very much individuals and more often on their own, they are aware that it's not always obvious who is who! Maybe introductions are in order? Judge for yourself how well that idea goes!!  In slightly saner times, the girls have been binge watching a new BBC drama “Blue Lights”, a police drama set in present day Belfast, a premise that deserves praise just for getting commissioned in the first place. The show is remarkably good and manages to put a human face on the Police Service of Northern Ireland that is both enlightening and refreshing. It's gritty and believable with just the right sprinkling of NI humour. The TDG's are hooked and a second series has been announced. The girls will talk to writer Declan Lawn next week so if you have any burning questions you want to be asked do get in touch. I wonder if the wee Jewish fella still works in Ballymena?  NOTES:  Blue Lights - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14466018/ Review of Blue Lights (WITH NO SPOILERS)  https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/01/blue-lights-this-thrilling-cop-drama-is-one-of-tvs-best-shows Jeanie and Pauline met one of the characters at Dancing at Lughnasa https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/blue-lights-katherine-devlin-annie-northern-ireland-b2328718.html https://thedetail.tv/articles/policing-in-northern-ireland-since-the-good-friday-agreement Great interview with the writers Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson about Blue Lights (NO SPOILERS) https://www.televisual.com/news/blue-lights-q-a-with-declan-lawn-adam-patterson/ Gerry Anderson presenter BBC Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Anderson_(broadcaster) Claire Allan, Novelist based in Derry - https://www.claireallan.com/ Art Campion (Father Peter in Derry Girls) drug dealer in Blue Lights https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4113743/ Good Friday Agreement BBC podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-64858138 Before and After - Good Friday Agreement events https://www.linenhall.com/origins-legacies-the-belfast-good-friday-agreement/ Ep3 of Talking Derry Girls - it’s the episode of the wee dead dog pissing on the statue but it also has a few of our own stories about the police and army. 

Pauline and Jeanie are hobnobbing in London's West End while Marie-Louise is a plus 1 at a Presidential visit, as excuses go, it's not a bad one.   But her knowledge of culture and the arts was keenly missed when her two cohorts tried schmoozing in theatre land. As best day top-trumps go it's a tough one to call and may go some way to explain why Jeanie is slightly more hyper than usual this week. Is she giddy with excitement or off her chops on cough meds? You decide.  The “Dancing at Lughnasa” opening night blows their minds when Pauline gets mistaken for a cast member… Can you guess who?... Or maybe she is someone's mother? it was a memorable night.  Meanwhile Kathy Kiera Clarke, aka Aunt Sarah, Orla's Derry Girls mother is ripping up the stage in “The Dry House” at the Marylebone Theatre and Pauline devises a plan to clone Paul Mescal's DNA after getting very close to him thanks to the best £10 either of them has ever spent. Let's just say it's not only Streetcars that are named Desire… Clinton’s visit to Northern Ireland 2023 - Making Hope and History Rhyme (Seamus Heaney)  https://youtube.com/live/MNEZ1-b3s94?feature=share https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43658769.amp Bronagh Gallagher - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronagh_Gallagher Ash - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Wheeler Neil Hannon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Hannon Neil Hannon - singing Sunrise check out our FB page for this. We will post it https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls There are two notes from ML to put in here.  Dancing at Lughnasa - at the National Theatre  https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/dancing-at-lughnasa/ Brian Friel - https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/oct/02/brian-friel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Friel Just noticed that the Brian Friel doc produced by Marie-Louise is on You Tube. Give it a search.  The Dry House - https://www.marylebonetheatre.com/productions/the-dry-house A Street Car named Desire - https://www.thephoenixtheatre.co.uk/shows/a-streetcar-named-desire PLAYHOUSE DERRY - play about John Hume available to watch online until 30th April 2023  https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/beyond-belief-the-life-and-mission-of-john-hume BBC World Service documentary In the Studio about the play presented by Marie-Louise and co produced by Pauline and Marie-Louise  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0ffwwp3 Siobhan McSweeney and Louisa Harland on BBC Radio 4 - Woman’s Hour April 2023.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001kxf8

The life and Mission of John and Pat Hume 25 years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement a new theatrical production has been created to mark the legacy of the late John and Pat Hume.  It premiered in Derry's Guildhall on 31st March and will be streamed live to a global audience this week on Good Friday (Link in the notes) The TDG's were of course on hand to watch the story unfold and this week there is an insight into what Pauline and Marie-Louise get up to in their not spare time. BBC World Service documentary anyone? Voted Ireland's Greatest in a 2010 viewers poll for RTE, John Hume and his wife Pat left their mark on Irish history but more importantly on the people of Derry. To tell their story on a Derry stage to an audience who knew them best is a remarkable feat for the Derry Playhouse and is as brave and remarkable as John and Pat themselves.  NOTES:  BBC World Service - In the Studio presented by Marie-Louise Muir and co produced by Marie-Louise Muir and Pauline Moore https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct4ydw The new A6 road by passing Dungiven. https://www.derryjournal.com/news/environment/first-look-as-derry-to-dungiven-stretch-of-a6-belfast-road-fully-opens-today-4096050 President Joe Biden to visit Northern Ireland on 25th anniversary of Good Friday Agreement.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-65170050 Beyond Belief - Playhouse theatre. Live streaming on Friday 7th April, available for a week.  https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/beyond-belief-the-life-and-mission-of-john-hume Bloody Sunday - the White Handkerchief https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/the-white-handkerchief Found this podcast which features John Hume and David Trimble - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/john-hume-and-david-trimble-a-vision-of-peace/id1025864075?i=1000488332557 Kathleen Gillespie http://wavetraumacentre.org.uk/stories_from_silence/kathleen-gillespie/ Gerry Doherty https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/04/02/news/john_hume_musical_drama_opens_at_derry_s_guildhall-3180946/ Pat Hume https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/06/pat-hume-obituary BBC podcast about the Good Friday Agreement - marking the 25th anniversary https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0f6zpv4 And homework from the TDGs... Ep 7 - of the podcast where we talk about John Hume who died in August 2020.  Ep 42 - The Agreement Ep7 Derry Girls  Ep 35 - The Launch of Series 3 - Derry Girls (1st anniversary). 

As promised and just in time for the St Patrick's Day Spring Carnival, the eagerly awaited Derry Girls taster exhibition opened this week in the City.  Marie-Louise was there representing the TDG's and getting the bars on what is and what will be included in the future exhibition. She tells Pauline and Jeanie what to expect and the girls gain an insight into how she spends her days off.  It all starts with an intro that is worthy of Uncle Colm and she chats to some new pals and catches up with an old friend of the TDG's, resplendent in Green and generously dishing out cream horns.  Scarily she also embraces her inner Clare, maybe because she was allowed to be an individual on her own.  In celebration of the immersive, interactive, augmented reality experience that is planned for this Summer we thought we would make this episode interactive too. Please prepare yourselves for TDG's bingo. Drinkers will need shots, flaming Sambucas are recommended - teetotallers can play with cream horns, pop tarts or Tayto crisps. You can indulge in your chosen treat every time you hear the words ICONIC - VISIT DERRY or WATERLOO PLACE. Other party games are available and most likely safer - Slainte.  NOTES:  Visit Derry - where the taster Exhibition is being housed  https://www.visitderry.com/ https://www.visitderry.com/derry-girls Tower Museum - where the Derry Girls Experience is opening in the Summer - https://towermuseumcollections.com/ EPIC DESIGN - https://epic.ie/index.html Derry City and Strabane District Council - https://www.derrystrabane.com/ Derry Girls afternoon tea Everyglades Hotel - https://www.hastingshotels.com/everglades-hotel/afternoon-tea.html  https://www.visitderry.com/food-and-drink Friends of the Factory - Shirt Tales Part 1 Ep 62 https://www.facebook.com/groups/482405762757848/ Beyond Belief - The Life and Mission of John Hume - https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/beyond-belief-the-life-and-mission-of-john-hume available to watch online on 7th April. The first part of the trilogy - The White Handkerchief is available on demand from the website.  Ma Mary aka Tara Lynne O’Neill talking about her jazzy jumper Ep 46  When Jeanie’s work thought she was in River Dance Ep12  The TDGs on the Derry Girls food tour Ep 57 

Abandoned (for one episode only) by Jeanie and Marie-Louise, Pauline is determined not to be an individual on her own! Meet fellow Derry girls, Yvonne Norris and Naomi Petropoulos. Both DGs have a strong interest in the rich history of the city’s shirt factories. For quite a few decades there were more than 40 factories employing thousands of women. In 1867, Karl Marx mentioned the new trend of home working - referencing one of the world’s first industrialised factories - Tillie and Henderson which at one time was the largest shirt factory in the world. There’s been a long campaign to recognise the Factory Girls who kept the economy of the city going. Yvonne and Naomi give a great introduction to a vital story in Derry’s history. And they did pass the audition if any situations arise in Talking Derry Girls. NOTES  Shirts, Singer and Sewing exhibition snippets of interviews with factory girls carried out by Naomi Petropoulos  originalderrygirls.com Shirts, Singers and Sewing exhibition iin Shipquay Street in Derry City centre. https://towermuseumcollections.com/shirtssingersandsewing/ Naomi Petropoulos - Family Matters podcast episode where Naomi chats to her Granny and Mother-in-law about working in Derry’s shirt factories https://deindustrialization-and-the-politics-of-our-time.castos.com/episodes/family-matters-with-naomi-petropoulos 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 Article about the Tillie and Henderson shirt factory in Derry/Londonderry. The world’s first modern factory mentioned by Karl Marx in Das Kapital. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/factory-made-marx-see-red/28176820.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=1YhcI9R&v=199041234710306 BBC Radio Ulster - Stories in Sound, Factory Girls https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008nmp BBC The shirt factory horn (TV clip) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00q946p Shirt Factory Heritage Walking Tour https://www.derriedanders.co.uk/tour/shirt-factory-heritage-walking-tour Friends of the Factories - plaques initiative https://www.friendsofthefactories.com/gallery-1 BBC report on Factory Girls song by Keiron Tourish  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=1YhcI9R&v=328950601755997 My Granny was a Factory Girl https://www.irishpost.com/news/irish-sisters-charity-song-grandma-191341 The Friends of the Factory Workers scheme was the winner of the Women’s History Network Community History Prize in 2021. https://womenshistorynetwork.org/womens-history-network-2021-community-history-prize-winners-friends-of-the-factories/ Derry’s factory girls: A window into the adult world https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49740625.amp Amelia Earhart in Derry - Ep 30 Talking Derry Girls Podcast  Plaques at St Columb’s Hall to commemorate visits by Emmeline Pankhust, Eleanor Marx and Margaret Cousins - https://www.derrynow.com/news/news/630815/plaques-unveiled-at-st-columb-s-hall-in-derry-to-commemorate-historic-visits.html Derry Girls and Rock and Roll https://www.derryjournal.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/13-photographs-of-factory-girls-and-rock-n-roll-at-the-millennium-forum-4030642 Willie Deery https://www.derrynow.com/news/arts---entertainment/1018082/a-derry-play-with-a-difference-factory-girls-and-rock-n-roll.html 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 Claire Allan Derry based writer (guest on Ep 28) - The First Time I said Goodbye https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/19101043  https://www.claireallan.com/

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