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 p...
Dec 18, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 117
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, upstagi...
Dec 11, 2025•14 min•Season 4Ep. 116
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” a...
Nov 27, 2025•56 min•Season 4Ep. 115
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...
Nov 20, 2025•24 min•Season 4Ep. 114
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...
Nov 06, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 113
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 In...
Oct 29, 2025•59 min•Season 4Ep. 112
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. ...
Oct 23, 2025•48 min•Season 4Ep. 111
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...
Oct 15, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 110
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 fo...
Oct 09, 2025•48 min•Season 4Ep. 109
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 Foy...
Oct 02, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 108
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...
Sep 25, 2025•56 min•Season 4Ep. 107
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 Hum...
May 08, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 106
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. Withou...
May 01, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 105
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...
Apr 24, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 104
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 - spoi...
Apr 17, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 103
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 universit...
Apr 10, 2024•55 min•Season 3Ep. 102
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we probably shouldn't invite you to Derry on Saturday 4th May where you can sit on a very steep street with, hopefully, several thousand others in a bid to win a Guinness World Record. The Talking Derry Girls will be there supporting the Mayor of Derry's official charities - The Ryan McBride Foundation and Foyle Hospice. Details of how you can register and take part in Rock the Boat are in the notes (it’s an inclusive event so arrangements are in place for every...
Apr 03, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 101
The Talking Derry Girls are amazed to have reached their milestone episode and there's only one person to blame. Here to defend herself is Derry Girls creator and writer Lisa McGee. They talk about that multiple award winning finale episode and there are many, many questions and answers. Just how funny is Liam Neeson? Who put in the call to Chelsea Clinton and did David Ireland really channel Kevin McAleer in his Uncle Colm audition tape? Lisa has tales of location filming in her beloved Derry, ...
Mar 13, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 100
One recording away from the big 100 and the TDGs are still in different timezones. Not sure what the lead balloons are in this week's episode…the definition of a lead balloon is -”something that you say or show to people that they do not like…something which fails miserably and is utterly unsuccessful” So it most definitely isn’t anything to do with Lisa McGee and her continued award winning successes. This week accepting the Christopher Ewart Biggs award for promoting peace and reconciliation i...
Mar 06, 2024•43 min•Season 3Ep. 99
Where are we? What are we doing? In this week's episode of podcasting for the bewildered, the Talking Derry Girls are jumping timezones and continents and may just be oversharing. Marie-Louise has a close encounter with Uncle Colm; poor man was only looking for the toilet. Pauline discovers there's more to Amsterdam than the infamous Red light district. And Jeanie fears that she is lost for words. Add in some axe throwing, toenail clipping and a big shop and your cup too shall be overflowing. No...
Feb 28, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 98
Not all the Talking Derry Girls listeners are aware that Pauline, Marie-Louise and Jeanie have appeared in Derry Girls. They try not to talk about it …much! They attended the funeral of Sean Devlin (Clare's Da ). Now the Dust to Dust and Ashes to Ashes have settled, the tears have dried and Clare has run off after some rich Lord in Bridgerton, the TDGs thought maybe it was safe to talk about their starring roles again. David Ireland was summoned , we're not sure if Carlos Santini brought him fro...
Feb 21, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 97
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 c...
Feb 14, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 96
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 ...
Dec 20, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 95
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 Vi...
Dec 13, 2023•45 min•Season 3Ep. 94
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...
Dec 06, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 93
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 ...
Nov 24, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 92
“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 ...
Nov 23, 2023•54 min•Season 3Ep. 91
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...
Nov 15, 2023•46 min•Season 3Ep. 90
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 year...
Nov 08, 2023•52 min•Season 3Ep. 89
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 Playhou...
Nov 01, 2023•48 min•Season 3Ep. 88
