Talking Derry Girls

NEW SEASON: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST with the TALKING DERRY GIRLS Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr will be guiding you through Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series which is now live - globally!  If you like what you hear, please help spread the word. And leave a review.  EPISODE 8 - ANAGNORISIS. Please do NOT listen to this unless you have watched it! There are spoilers. 

NEW SEASON: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST with the TALKING DERRY GIRLS Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr will be guiding you through Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series which is now live - globally!  If you like what you hear, please help spread the word. And leave a review.  EPISODE 7 - OUTLAWS, LIARS & FALLEN ANGELS. Please do NOT listen to this unless you have watched it! There are spoilers. 

NEW SEASON: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST with the TALKING DERRY GIRLS Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr will be guiding you through Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series which is now live - globally!  If you like what you hear, please help spread the word. And leave a review.  EPISODE 6 - SEPARATE BUT INSEPARABLE . Please do NOT listen to this unless you have watched it! There are spoilers. 

NEW SEASON: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST with the TALKING DERRY GIRLS Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr will be guiding you through Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series which is now live - globally!  If you like what you hear, please help spread the word. And leave a review.  EPISODE 5 - THE BOX. Please do NOT listen to this unless you have watched it! There are spoilers. 

NEW SEASON: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST with the TALKING DERRY GIRLS Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr will be guiding you through Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series which is now live - globally!  If you like what you hear, please help spread the word. And leave a review.  EPISODE 4 - THE GIRL FROM SAGRES. Please do NOT listen to this unless you have watched it! There are spoilers.

NEW SEASON: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST with the TALKING DERRY GIRLS Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr will be guiding you through Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series which is now live - globally!  If you like what you hear, please help spread the word. And leave a review.  Please do NOT listen to this unless you have watched it! There are spoilers. 

NEW SEASON: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST with the TALKING DERRY GIRLS EPISODE 2 - THE SECRET. Please do NOT listen to this unless you have watched it! There are spoilers. Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr will be guiding you through Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series which is now live - globally!  If you like what you hear please help spread the word. And leave a review. 

NEW SEASON: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST with the TALKING DERRY GIRLS EPISODE 1 - THE WAKE. Please do NOT listen to this unless you have watched it! There are spoilers. Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr will be guiding you through Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series which is now live - globally!  If you like what you hear please help spread the word. And leave a review.

NEW SEASON: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST with the TALKING DERRY GIRLS Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr will be guiding you through Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series is now live - globally! The Talking Derry Girls will be talking about each episode and have bonus interviews with some of the cast. We thought it right and proper to start off with a chat with the writer and creator Lisa McGee herself.  If you like what you hear please help spread the word. And leave a review. 

They say no good deed goes unnoticed and when Micky Doherty decided to raise money for a Derry charity, that was certainly the case. Based in Derry, the Northlands Addiction Treatment Centre has been helping the people of the City and across Northern Ireland for the past 50 years and is a much needed, and appreciated, local resource. They specialise in the treatment and support of families and individuals affected by addiction related issues. Micky joins the TDG’s to discuss the part they have played in his own recovery and just how important raising funds for their cause is to him.  Local Derry people may think they know Micky well …the man himself has a very different and personal story to tell. In true Micky style it is a hoot, leaves Marie-Louise dreaming of reviving her Panto career and offers a punch to the guts to anyone who has ever judged a book by its cover.  The Micky Doherty calendar for 2026 is a collaboration with Ferry Clever and local photographer Stephen Latimer and the first print run sold out in 2 day. It has now been restocked and is flying off the shelves. So just why did Micky strip down to his undies and flash his pecs around Derry’s landmark? MERRY CHRISTMAS x NORTHLANDS CENTRE  https://northlands.org.uk/ MICKY DOHERTY  https://www.facebook.com/micky.doherty.716/ https://www.instagram.com/micky_dee_derry_/?hl=en STEPHEN LATIMER PHOTOGRAPHY  https://www.stephenlatimer.com/ FERRY CLEVER  https://ferryclever.co.uk/product-tag/micky-doherty/ https://ferryclever.co.uk/ THE SANDWICH CO - DIAMOND  https://thesandwich.co/bishop-street/ TALKING DERRY GIRLS  Instagram - @talkingderrygirlspodcast  X - @TBLderrygirls Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls/about/ http://www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls Podcast https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls

Christmas has arrived in Derry and the TDGs were on hand to capture the magic of the festive parade and official switching on of the gorgeous City lights.  At least two of them were there… the other stayed home feeding her inner Grinch because “I’m not doing Christmas before December”  Not even Derry’s new favourite girl, Big Brother finalist Jenni Baird could tempt Pauline onto the streets.  Jenni brought some serious glamour to her role as Mrs Claus as she led the parade through the town, upstaging Santa and delighting the crowds. “Oh yes she did!” cried the Pantomime Dame... and no-one disagreed. Is that sleigh bells I can hear…? Instagram: @talkingderrygirlspodcast  X/Twitter: @TBLderrygirls Facebook: /talkingderrygirls On your favourite player: https://pod.link/1518036400

This week the Talking Derry Girls are joined by fellow Derry Girl Dearbhaile McKinney a.k.a. rookie cop Aisling Byrne from Blue Lights. Before joining the “Blue Lights” cast Dearbhaile was known to the TDGs as the young aunt Sarah from The Reunion episode of Derry Girls, but which part did she originally audition for? Are things still “mad” in Derry? Was it her, or her cousin, who features in the “Kneecap” film? Did she know how her character would develop through the 3 series of “Blue Lights” and most important of all just how big a fan of boy band Westlife is she? Did she see them switch on Derry’s Christmas lights in the late 90’s or was that a WestSide Story?Just how keen is she to accept Nicky Byrne’s invitation for the “Blue Lights" team to come say “hi” when the Westlife Reunion tour hits Belfast?? No interrogation techniques necessary Dearbhaile has the answers, and Declan Lawn, Nicky Byrne is waiting to be called up for Series 4…altogether now…”We got a little world of our own”. Wee Angels. Dearbháile McKinney:  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9130037/ Blue Lights: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/oct/14/blue-lights-series-three-bbc-one-iplayer-best-cop-show#:~:text=The third time's a,best drama on the BBC”. Blue Lights is now on Brit Box  Westlife https://www.westlife.com/ Kneecap https://www.kneecap.ie/ Where we recorded this episode: https://www.theverbal.co/ Instagram - @talkingderrygirlspodcast  X - @TBLderrygirls Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls/about/ http://www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls Podcast https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls

The Talking Derry Girls go on a Road Trip. With a special guest appearance by the Sat Nav Lady. WARNING: - contains random road directions, toilet stops and poetic licence. Listeners who are easily confused or bewildered may want to step away now. Are we there yet…? Instagram - @talkingderrygirlspodcast  X - @TBLderrygirls Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/talkingderrygirls/about/ http://www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls Podcast https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls

Anyone not aware of Richard Moore's story may like to go back and listen to the TDG'S chaotic encounter with him in episode 16. Founder and CEO of the charity Children in Crossfire, the most disadvantaged young children in Tanzania and Ethiopia, as well as children in Ireland, are supported in education and healthcare.  Meeting again, nearly 100 episodes later, his story has evolved and is being reimagined by writer, poet and playwright Damian Gorman. The resulting piece, “Witness”, will have its official debut at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace but not before Richard makes an emotional visit back to the Primary School where his traumatic story of blindness began. As a 10 year old he was hit by a ‘rubber’ bullet fired by a soldier.   Well known for his self-deprecating humour and sharp wit, Richard has always refused to allow the darkness to prevail and can turn a conversation from tears of laughter to tears of raw emotion in a heartbeat. Hankies at the ready, embark on the rollercoaster that pays “Witness” to his story.  Richard Moore https://www.richardmoore.ie/ https://www.childrenincrossfire.org/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-53985472 Ep 16 - https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-16-richard-moore What about you podcast with Richard Moore https://whataboutyou.buzzsprout.com/1288562/contributors/60495# Damian Gorman https://irishplayography.com/person/damian-gorman https://seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873657583 https://www.facebook.com/damian.gorman.14/

The TDGs went on a road trip to the Seamus Heaney Homeplace as a belated big Birthday treat for Jeanie. The plan was an evening of song and chat with their long time favourite, Brian Kennedy. He of the lovely hair and lovelier voice (check out Ep 9 This and That!) The journey redefined Carpool Karaoke. (Sorry Brian) Pauline demands that the other two allow her to inform Brian of her role in his career trajectory and Marie-Louise reminisces about taking him hostage en route to the Lake Isle of Inisfree. Brian's life has taken many roads since then, a cancer survivor, he is an advocate for the importance of sharing health issues and speaks openly about how his “twin” urostomy and colostomy pouches saved his life just in time for covid and a quadruple bypass to ravage his body again. To namedrop an early album, he is now “A Better Man”. Full of fun, joy and boldness. First dates, tattoos and bus passes are all on the menu as the girls interrupt dinner and make him late for his soundcheck… Brian Kennedy - https://www.briankennedy.co.uk/ Ep 9 - https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-9-this-n-that Seamus Heaney Homeplace - https://seamusheaneyhome.com/

There is a saying in Derry…”Say Nah hin”. The Girls very nearly had nothing to say this week, at least nothing that could be used in evidence.  Maybe it was the ghost of Ballymena boy Liam Neeson - “There is no tape” Thankfully their guest Declan Lawn was happy to go on the record when Pauline and Jeanie caught up with him in his teenage stomping ground of Ballymena. Series 3 of “Blue Lights” is midway through its UK run with the box set available to binge for those of us with zero self control. Don't worry, there are no spoilers here.  Jeanie, Pauline and Marie-Louise discuss just how menacing a Northern Irish accent can be and Pauline calls for ‘backup’. While the burning question is…can you really win a Bafta in a raffle? NOTES:  The Divine Comedy - https://thedivinecomedy.com/ Brian Bilston - https://brianbilston.com/ Blue Lights - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0f2cxpr Louise Gallagher - Ep105 https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/ep-105-original-derry-girl-louise-gallagher-on-creating-blue-lights Declan Lawn on series 2 Ep103  https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-103-the-blue-lights-are-flashing

Even though we all know that being a Derry Girl is “a state of mind”, for the 3 TDGs it is very much the result of their own shared history.  Derry is in their DNA so when the City's newest Museum experience was announced, with the name DERRY DNA, they needed to know more…mainly because it would have implications for the hugely successful Derry Girls Experience. Jeanie and Marie-Louise met up with Margaret Edwards at The Tower Museum, armed with Pauline’s Good Exercise Book, full of searching and relevant questions. They quickly got distracted by the shiny exhibits and gift shop offerings.  Margaret, ever the professional, managed to keep some order and explained what the Derry/Londonderry on the North Atlantic Museum will offer. A celebration of Derry culture and heritage focusing on the City's maritime and social history.  Surely there will be a place in all that for The Derry Girl's Experience? There are, after all, a lot of exhibits still in storage. Margaret has the answers. NOTES:  Plans for new DNA museum - https://www.derrystrabane.com/news/history-in-the-making-as-work-begins-on-dna-museum Tower museum - https://towermuseumcollections.com/ The TDGs have a bit of back catalogue of the Tower Museum and opening of the Derry Girls Experience as well as bit of history about the overseas forces who were based in the City.  Ep 74 Making an Exhibition (for ourselves) https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-74-making-an-exhibition-for-ourselves 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.  Ep 75 Museum Pieces  https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-75-museum-pieces 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.. Ep 76 The Jamie Lee Experience  https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-76-the-jamie-lee-experience 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.  Ep77 The Experience Part 2 https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-77-the-experience-part-2 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. Ep20 The Forces are with us  https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-20-the-forces-are-with-us The sun is shining on Derry's "spectacular" Walls and the TDG's are on the loose with their microphone soaking up the atmosphere and making new pals. Derry folk are always up for a chat and a bit of craic. A couple of brothers prove that everybody really does know everybody in Derry and remind the girls that Derry has a very rich history when it comes to overseas forces. Army, Navy and Air Forces from all over the world were based in and around Derry before, during and after WW2. Not even an all-nighter and 23 cans of stimulating liquid could make our girls experts in this field but luckily they know a man who is - Derry man Richard Doherty, a British and Irish military historian and author of around 30 books, is going to fit right in.

The Talking Derry Girls love a celebration and when that celebration involves a strong, vibrant, courageous woman they're totally on board. Back in episode 30 the Girls talked about legendary pilot Amelia Earhart and her connections to Derry, listen back - you'll thank us.  Recently Pauline, Jeanie and Marie-Louise caught up with the Amelia Earhart Legacy Association as they played host to some visiting dignitaries from Atchison, Kansas, birthplace of the record breaking pilot.  Plans are afoot for the 95th anniversary of Amelia's historic flight across the Atlantic to have a Derry connection theme, building up to the centenary in 2032. The Kansas contingent are keen to build the Derry connection into their festivities and the Talking Derry Girls needed to know more. Kansas, isn't that the place you can get to by clicking your heels together? The girls are searching out Ruby slippers as we speak …As Jeanie has always said -There's no place like home. Amelia Earhart and Derry https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-57198081 Ep30 - https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-30-amelia-earhart-in-derry Amelia Earhart The Derry Legacy - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064785603960 Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum FB page - https://www.facebook.com/AEHangarMuseum/ Little Acorns Bookstore - https://www.facebook.com/LittleAcornsBookstore/?locale=en_GB

The Talking Derry Girls are settling into their new normal. If you can call an early morning interview with Derry's local radio station normal. A trip to Radio Foyle brings back memories and has the girls revisiting past chats.  Jeanie wonders if she really did talk herself into returning to Derry and Marie Louise has some romantic plans involving an axe. Maybe Pauline can bring some out of town sanity to the conversation. Who are we kidding, the girls are talking… buckle up! NOTES:  BBC Radio Foyle interview with Elaine McGee - North West Today (around 39.40 mins into programme).  - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002k3cn Episodes referred to:  Ep 99 - Ninety Nine Red Balloons from U.S. to Us (Motherchuckers) - https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-99-ninety-nine-lead-balloons-from-u-s-to-us Ep 87 - And hope and history rhyme. (The Big Sing) - https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls/episode-87-and-hope-and-history-rhyme

Where are the Talking Derry Girls when you need them? Welcome back! The girls, Jeanie Messenger, Pauline Moore and Marie-Louise Kerr, have missed you. But where have they been in the past year or so? Lisa McGee could have some answers. If only she could engage the services of three aging super-sleuths to search out the truth. Lisa, the TDGs are ready when you need them! The girls caught up with Lisa at the Belfast Comedy Festival way back in May and got the lowdown on where she's at with her new eagerly anticipated Netflix comedy Drama “How to Get to Heaven From Belfast”.  The mystery of the missing Talking Derry Girls is discussed. No sleuthing needed, Pauline likes work too much to retire, Jeanie likes Derry too much to live anywhere else and Marie-Louise has found her Granda Joe. If the guitarist is back… we'll cue the music… NOTES:  How to get to Heaven from Belfast (what did Lisa McGee did next) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31709373/ https://about.netflix.com/en/news/lead-cast-announced-for-lisa-mcgee-how-to-get-to-heaven-from-belfast The Traitors - Ireland hosted by Siobhan McSweeney (only available to watch on RTE at the moment) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34060796/ The Traitors UK - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23743442/ Hope Street with Tara Lynne O’Neill (Ma Mary) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011yc0 - britbox.com  Ep 80 - Talking Derry Girls where Lisa McGee first talked to us about ‘How to get to Heaven from Belfast’.