Brilliant podcast sees real Derry Girls reviewing show while reflecting on own memories

Talking Derry Girls, a popular podcast in which three women review episodes of the hit show while reflecting on their own memories growing up in Derry in the same era, quickly garnered an army of fans– and now it’s back for season 2.

Jeanie, Marie-Louise and Pauline reviewed every episode of the first season of Channel 4’s hit sitcom, and now the trio are back with their review of the first episode of season 2– aka the fan-favourite ‘Blackboard scene’ episode.

Season 3 of Derry Girls is still a long way off, with production plans ruined thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but with an official Derry Girls book coming out, and creator Lisa McGee dropping hints about a film, there’s plenty to keep fans of the show going.

In the meantime, you can check out the Talking Derry Girls podcast on SpotifyApple and Acast.

Source: Brilliant podcast sees real Derry Girls reviewing show while reflecting on own memories | The Irish Post

The Wren Boy Procession and the Irish tradition of St Stephen’s Day

Ireland marks Christmas in much the same way as many other nations around the world, but we have quite a few traditions and customs that are pretty specific to this island.

Ireland marks Christmas in much the same way as many other nations around the world, but we have quite a few traditions and customs that are pretty specific to this island.
Christmas in Ireland lasts from Christmas Eve until the Feast of the Epiphany on 6 January and it’s on 24 December that one of the traditions marks the beginning of the festive season.
For example, after sunset on Christmas Eve a tall candle is placed on the sill of the largest window in the home and lit as a sign of welcome for St Mary and St Joseph.
The feast of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is marked on 26 December and in Ireland is often referred to as Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín or Wren Day. Traditionally, this is also a popular day for visiting family members and going to the theatre to see a pantomime
The name alludes to several legends including ones found in Irish mythology that link the life of Jesus to the wren bird. In a fading tradition in all but a few parts of Ireland, people dress up in old clothes and straw garments and travel from door to door carrying fake wrens during which those taking part sing, dance and play music.
Dependent on which region of Ireland you are in those taking part are called either “wrenboys” or mummers. Mummers carry on the tradition at the village of New Inn, Co Galway and Dingle, Co Kerry. In the North, the tradition is still often observed in Co Fermanagh.
The tradition has its roots in ancient Ireland when a real wren was killed and carried around in a holly bush tied to a long pole – these days fake birds are used.
The wren is one of the smallest birds in Ireland, but it has a very loud song and is sometimes called the “king of all birds.”
This is because of the legend of a little wren who rode on the top of an eagle’s head and boasted he had “flown higher than an eagle.”
Wrens were hunted for many years throughout Europe in medieval times with Ireland no exception to that.
In most parts of the island, the tradition died out in the early 20th century and the rhyme often used during the procession was “The wren, the wren, the king of all birds. On St. Stephen’s Day was caught in the furze. Although he was little his honor was great. Jump up me, lads, and give us a treat.”
In past times, the captured wren was tied to the wrenboy leader’s staff or a net would be put on a pitchfork. It would be sometimes cruelly kept alive, as the popular mummers’ parade song states “A penny or tuppence would do it no harm.”
The song, of which there are many variations, asked for donations from the townspeople. One variation sung in Edmondstown, County Dublin ran as such: “If you haven’t a penny a halfpenny will do. If you haven’t a halfpenny, God bless you!”
Often the boys gave a feather from the bird to patrons for good luck. The money was used to host a dance or “Wren Ball” for the town on a night in January.

Source: The Wren Boy Procession and the Irish tradition of St Stephen’s Day – Derry Now

Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee hints at what is in store in season three

Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee hints at what is in store in season three

Since it launched in 2018, the sitcom has become one of the most popular shows on Channel 4 – and has captured the hearts of people across the globe.

And following the end of season two earlier this year (and the announcement that yes, season three is on the way), it’s safe to say that fans are eager for more.

Now, the series’ creator Lisa McGee has hinted what is in store when Derry Girls returns for season three.

Speaking to Her at the recent Virgin Media Television new season launch, she teased:

“[There’s] not really [much I can share], except they’ll definitely just be getting into more trouble.

“They haven’t grown up or wised up any, so there will be more shenanigans really.”

In case you’re unfamiliar with the show, Derry Girls is a candid, one-of-a-kind, family-centred comedy.

While series one saw the gang navigating their teens in 1990’s Derry against a backdrop of The Troubles, series two saw them navigating their parents, parties, love interests and school against the backdrop of a precarious peace process.

Following the news of Derry Girls’ season three renewal earlier this year, Lisa McGee said:

“I love writing this show and I’m so thrilled to be able to continue the Derry Girls story, thank you Channel 4, Erin and the eejits live to fight another day!”

Derry Girls series two launched with a consolidated audience of 3.2m viewers for episode one, which makes it Channel 4’s biggest UK comedy launch episode for 15 years.

In Northern Ireland, the series two launch has been the most watched programme across all channels since series one.

Source: Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee hints at what is in store in season three | Her.ie

Derry Girls cast and creator break down the best moments from Season 2 

Clare is drunk
“Yer mom’s drunk”

Derry Girls Season 2 was a joy to behold and with another season on the cards, JOE had the chance to chat with the cast and reflect on the last six episodes

Cracker!

With Season 3 of Derry Girls on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to reflect on those last six episodes, and unlike that famous wake when Michelle brought the ‘funny’ scones, things were slightly more normal when JOE had the chance to chat with Lisa McGee (writer/creator), Nicola Coughlan (Clare), Dylan Llewellyn (James), Louisa Harland (Orla), and Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin).

Here’s what they had to say on…

The opening scene when Orla interrupts Erin taking a bath.

Just like the very first scene in the show, Season 2 opens with Orla gatecrashing a very private moment of self-reflection for Erin when she’s in the bath and imagining what it’s liked to be interviewed by Terry Wogan.

Louisa Harland really hopes that every season of Derry Girls opens on her character being hilariously-intrusive!

Continue reading

Derry Girls’ blackboard scene is the TV moment of 2019

LIsa McGee brilliantly selected her slurs and generalisations about Northern religions

It’s time for the Derry Girls backlash. I’m here to wonder why this overrated show is getting such coverage in (wait for it, wait for it) The Paper of Record. The language! The bad manners!

Only joking.

Madonna once said she couldn’t love anybody who didn’t admire the paintings of Frida Kahlo. I feel the same way about curry, Alastair Sim and Lisa McGee’s sitcom.

The opening episode of the second series was excellent throughout, but one scene in particular managed the extraordinary feat of acquiring iconic status before the final credits had rolled.

Continue reading