Mary Pat Kelly sat down with Marie-Louise Kerr for a conversation about the impact and relevance of the television show “Derry Girls” at the American Irish Historical Society, Fifth Ave, New York City, on April 7. Far away from bombs and guns in time and distance, hopefully.
There were excerpts shown on screen. No subtitles needed, accents provided. It’s the 1990s and raw and funny as you could only wish for.
“Derry Girls” is about living a life within and under a constant barrage. “Inured” was the way that Marie-Louise put it. These girls grew up in a war zone and all they had was music, t.v. and their very own selves. There was an invasive army on their street, outside of their windows sometimes, but the girls still had a cultural will and a primal urge to have fun.
Marie-Louise is one of the creators of the hit “Talking Derry Girls” podcast, produced with fellow BBC Radio veterans Jeanie Messinger and Pauline Moore. The trio, Derry natives, won Gold at the Irish Podcast Awards for their wildly entertaining take on the series. Their unprecedented access to the creative team, cast and crew resulted in a witty commentary on all eight episodes available at https://pod.co/talking-derry-girls. Their invitation goes, “You don’t have to be from Derry or even a girl. Being a Derry Girl is a state of mind. Come on in!”
Lisa McGee, a Derry native, created the show and her humor shines in every line. Her new television show, “How to get to Heaven from Belfast,” is available to watch on Netflix now, and is discussed on the podcast. That has a neo-noir mystery bent but is located within this foggy dew that was created by a paramilitary presence in the north of Ireland.
“It has to be loved locally for it to be loved globally.” said Maire of Lisa’s view about the use of politics, death and humor in her work. It has to pass the test in Derry first.
MPK had questions for Maire-Louise about her time at BBC radio, and Maire-Louise also talked about politician John Hume with respect and the changes he oversaw in Northern Ireland. The actual sitting down and talking, having a sensible head. Going out on the streets to canvass and work for the change was something that both speakers voluntarily did. “Difference is the essence of humanity.” There was peace for once for a generation and a collective sigh at the time.
Then the conversation got on to nuns and Scorsese. What lives we lead! You will have to listen to the podcast. But Mary Pat, his biographer, did spill some Scorsese beans. He still has a poster of the movie “Black Narcissus” on his wall. That’s a 1947 British movie about nuns. It’s not a fetish; it’s an elegant drama. Mary Pat Kelly was in the habit herself for a few years, back in the day, and her given name was Sister Michael. Why they give male names to novitiates was a conundrum, but Lisa McGee’s name for her headmistress in Derry girls was the same. A performance by Corkonian Siobhán McSweeney, who was recently honored in New York Young Leaders St. Patrick’s Celebrations. Oh, we still connect.
