Northern Ireland

Exhibition will open up Derry Girls world for visitors

The Channel 4 comedy show has become a new tourist attraction in Derry.
The Channel 4 comedy show has become a new tourist attraction in Derry. The Channel 4 comedy show has become a new tourist attraction in Derry.

Aunt Sarah’s pyjamas, Erin’s diary and the famous Our Lady of Immaculate Conception school uniform are among the items which will go on display from next month as part of a new Derry Girls exhibition.

The exhibition, featuring props from the multi-award winning Channel 4 comedy, will open on Monday July 4 at Derry’s Tower Museum and will continue for a full year.

Confirming the opening date, Derry city and Strabane district council also released more information about what fans of the comedy can expect. Many of the props used to create the 1990s Derry in which Erin and her side-kicks grew up will be featured, including Ma Mary’s Woolworth’s sweater and the girls’ Spice Girls costumes.

Derry Girls chronicles the lives of teens, Erin, Orla, Michele and Clare as well as Michele’s English cousin, James as they move through Troubles’ era Northern Ireland. The show has broken all Channel 4 records since its launch in January 2018, later winning a world audience through Netflix.

It also continues to scoop major awards, including most recently, BAFTAs for creator, Lisa McGee and actor, Siobhan Mc Sweeney who plays Sister Michael, principal of the girls’ convent school.

Fans will get a first hand experience of 1990s Derry.
Fans will get a first hand experience of 1990s Derry. Fans will get a first hand experience of 1990s Derry.

Derry mayor, Patricia Logue said the exhibition would prove a major attraction for visitors and locals.

“There is already an upsurge in visitors who have been drawn here to find out more about the origins of the show, the history that shaped it and this collection will add further to the Derry Girls’ experience for visitors,“ she said.

Head of culture at Derry Strabane council, Aeidin McCarter said the exhibition would be an opportunity to tell the Derry Girls’ story in “the place that Lisa (McGee) wanted to celebrate”.

Many of the props used in the three series of the hit show are included in the new Tower Museum exhibition.
Many of the props used in the three series of the hit show are included in the new Tower Museum exhibition. Many of the props used in the three series of the hit show are included in the new Tower Museum exhibition.

“It has huge tourism potential and we will work in partnership to explore new ideas around the Derry Girls’ theme that will benefit a range of businesses here in the city,” Ms McCarter said.