The 3rd and final series of the hilarious comedy Derry Girls has garnered fans from all across the globe. Drawn by the comedy perfectly set during a historically active period of Ireland’s history and the Derry Girls own charms.
This superimposition of a coming-of-age story set during a troubled time in Ireland’s history has been a winning formula for Channel 4 and Netflix in the USA
What is Derry Girls?
“Derry Girls” is a British-Irish sitcom that aired on Channel 4 from 2018 to 2020. The show was set in the 1990s in Derry, Northern Ireland, and followed a group of teenage girls and their families as they navigated the challenges of growing up in a politically-divided community during the Troubles. The show was created by Lisa McGee and starred Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, and Dylan Llewellyn. It received widespread critical acclaim for its humor, heart, and portrayal of the teenage experience, and was a popular hit with audiences.
The main characters attend a Catholic school for girls. There is a political feel right from the off, Saoirse-Monica Jacksons’ character; Erin sets the scene with her diary showing the split perfectly when she wrote “Derry, or Londonderry, depending on your persuasion”
Protestant Unionists chose Londonderry as the name for their home and showing their support for their wish to remain part of the United Kingdom. The girls refer to home as Derry. This feel of growing up in conflict is used to great effect during the series, from the imagery to the comedy itself, the time and place is well documented hilariously by the series producers.
With plenty of 90’s music to keep you happy, the series is a bright star in Netflix’s lineup, with Erin, Claire, Michelle, and her cousin James keeping us entertained to the max in each episode.
Each series starts with Erin narrating in a comical dramatic way, the sentiment and problems of her generation. Once you get into the storyline you will see the girls face the same kind of problems all teenagers do when finding their feet in an uncertain world. Often the girls break the rules and staying clear of the Catholic school headmistress, Sister Michael poses a challenge.
Why is It So Popular?
Each episode is carefully crafted and in many ways is a great example of a sitcom that works on many levels. Their home is a wash with sectarian violence and political unrest, and the girls negotiate more immediate problems like money, love, and the unending energy of youth. Episodes generally start with a sensible premise, but the girl’s canny knack for making unquestionably funny, but poor decisions leads the episodes to become funnier as they go on.
The series writer, McGee has wonderfully enabled characters that interact in hilarious ways, sentence structure is often punctuated by swearing and the action moves past as the cast brilliantly plays their parts.
Right from the pilot episode the series illustrates political problems graphically in the lives of the people affected. The real fear of bombs and terrorism is felt throughout the episodes.
Seeing Belfast and the Derry Girl’s Sights For Yourself
If you’re a Derry Girls fan then we offer a great Derry Girls Tour. Some of the sights you’ll get to see include:
- The church where the miracle takes place (if you know, you know)
- The chip shop the girls visit with Katya
- The pocket docket shop
- The scene where we see the marches happen and the family get stuck in traffic
- Erin’s house
- Plenty of locations from each series
Our city walking tour even finishes at Fionnuala’s fish and chip shop where you can treat yourself to a chippy lunch in the girl’s favourite chippy – what a treat! If you want to know more check out our website for full details & how you can get booked onto a tour next time you’re in Belfast.
