Derry Girls interview: Siobhan McSweeney on Brexit, women's rights and the Irish border

Siobhan McSweeney plays Sister Michael in acclaimed TV comedy Derry Girls. Outside of its fictional universe, the city still faces turbulent times. A growing women's rights movement is calling for the decriminalisation of abortion and suggestions of a no deal Brexit, and resulting hard border, risking tipping Derry back into the bad old days.
JOE spoke to McSweeney about abortion, the border and Brexit ahead of the Rally for Choice in Belfast on September 7.
Channel 4's Derry Girls is easily one of the best sitcoms to hit British television in a long while. It mixes up an all-female spin on The Inbetweeners and some pitch perfect 90s nostalgia, with a poignant and realistic portrayal of The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The real genius of the show though is that it lets those elements fall into the background. Yes, it was an era that suffered through violence and terrorism. But, like anywhere, people still went about their lives. People in Derry during The Troubles grew up, got old, fell in love, got drunk, had fun and did all the other things everyone does, no matter where they are from.
Derry Girls is a show about four girls (and an English cousin) coming of age - it is honest and funny and relatable, and just happens to be set against The Troubles. It is something that was happening at the same time, but did not define their lives.
#DerryGirls
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[@Sarcastix7]

She's fantastic. Articulate, intelligent, passionate, compassionate and a fantastic actress. A brilliant interview.

[@angeloelimelech6346]

She is amazing. And Derry Girls is simply one of the best shows ever. It has the local and the universal. It has the ordinariness and the special at the same time. You can feel so related to it, even if you're from a different part of the world. It captures the zeitgeist of the nineties as well as the modern times. I'm a wee German fella and I don't know how to subscribe it, but this show has touched me deeply. Because it's deeply humane. First I just enjoyed it because it's good craic, haha, and then I found out so many layers,messenges, levels. Just great work, a masterpiece. Sorry for my bad English, I wrote this in a rush while I was listening to the interview for the second time!

[@sunnysunny1405]

Wee Singaporean fella here and I agree, for some reason this Irish show is too relatable and the choice of music is just top notch.

[@MyratheDunmer]

Old comment but… your English is literally perfect. Ich hab Deutsch in der Universität studiert und mein Deutsch ist immer noch nicht besonders gut.

[@ZameerHJ]

@@sunnysunny1405 just to say ‘fella’ refers to males only. Not females. I see you’re from Singapore. I’m from Northern Ireland originally but I’ve lived in Singapore since 2010.

[@lizadeplate793]

I am learning so much about Ireland, the North of Ireland, Derry, The troubles! I am from south america, Paraguay! Thank you Derry Girls! You started a revolution! It should always be a peacefull one! To come closer, to understand each other! I love you both! Understanding, and knowing what happened... will actually help!

[@MyratheDunmer]

This is why art is so important. This show has finally got people talking about a crucial issue which has been festering for decades.

[@annedunne4526]

This was made a year and a half ago. The great news is that the amendment to the constitution was passed and we now have the right to abortion services.

[@madr309]

I'm happy to hear that. Listening to this, I was amazed that abortion was illegal. I live in Georgia, and it's legal *here* (for now, anyway); and I'm used to Europe being about 15 years ahead of us, in terms of social progress.

[@JonathanDoyle-te4mt]

That was in the Republic. It was also illegal in Northern Ireland, however the British govt intervened and legalised both abortion and gay marriage over the heads of the devolved govt.

[@flippetskater]

I love this interview. Siobhan is fascinating to listen to, I didn't want this interview to end. I mean, as if I didn't already love Sister Michael, now I've got a pretty strong girl-crush on Siobhan, too!

[@bcpjw]

My favorite character in Derry but I would never imagine she’s a blond and so cute!

[@kareninmerric7623]

Man that was phenomenal, so well said. She also managed to articulate so well a reality for me over in Australia, where here as well there's such a woeful lack of education about our own history regarding First Nations people, resulting in a culture of ignorance and neo-imperial superiority that still persists in the 21st century and continues to reject entire communities from the public discourse. It is so so important to know your own history, especially the ugly bits. Fantastic interview.

[@lizadeplate793]

I am from South America, never heard about the troubles! Thank you Derry Girls!

[@JonathanDoyle-te4mt]

Really? The IRA has strong links to Narco Terrorist groups.

[@User_32]

She's the best person on the show

[@SignalHillHiker]

Loved her gracious way of explaining the lack of education. We all have our blind spots, some individual, some societal.

[@simongee8928]

Siobhan's character of Sister Michael is spot on. Her incredibly dry sense of humour and perfectly timed deliveries are so professional.

[@Equinox1.5]

Sr Michael would sort out Westminster at warp speed! Agree 100% with the comment below.

[@JonathanDoyle-te4mt]

Yet it was Westminster that delivered abortion for NI, over the heads of community leaders on both sides.

[@phvalentim002]

Great actress!!! Amazing

[@TheSiobhan12]

From one Siobhán to another thank you for your brilliant insights, and articulation. We in the north are lucky to have you being a voice for us.

[@rubydawn1]

I have always read and watched documentaries about the troubles when Derry Girls came out I laughed so much and cried so many lessons about life in each show.

[@deanallen927]

not just talented but very clever as well. Big fan of the show and how it puts faces on the people who experienced those times I only heard about on tv. There's a very heavy element running parallel with the comedy.

[@michaelcallas9463]

What a brilliant artist. I want MORE!!!

[@castoputa]

If only she had gone into politics!

[@kjam1709]

".....under the wonderland of bonkerness" is a brilliant & epic way to refer the "Home Office's" perspective on *all the things*

[@mmarialexx]

I really like this woman!

[@lizadeplate793]

Sister Michael...Siobhan, both! The sister is al the sisters I had in my catholic school...at list, 2 of them! And Siobhan, she is just an excelent actress...and inteligent and loveable human being...can I say that?

[@rudyl7447]

I live in the USA, I'm obsessed with the show and now so curious about Irish politics, I had zero idea about any of this. Anyone know who the reporter is?

[@TheLastAngryMan01]

Look up a guy called Peter Taylor, he’s an acclaimed British journalist who’s written a lot about the Troubles.

[@yuccatree4298]

It's not an Irish border FFS, it's a British border in Ireland

[@gloin10]

The good news is that Westminster ignored the DUP and their Catholic counterparts, and legislated to bring NI into line with the rest of the UK for abortion and marriage equality. The bad news is that the DUP is still stalling the local provision of safe and accessible abortion. Furiously so....

[@bmabommie]

Love her passion

[@TheAnonymousBosch]

Something I keep hearing regarding this is that Northern Ireland wasn't taught in British schools. This is strange to me as we were absolutely taught about it in my secondary school, admittedly at GCSE level, but the more I watch on this stuff the more I'm wondering if my school was unusual by actually teaching us about the troubles. We would have been taught this class around 09' / 10' - Did anyone else focus on the troubles in a mainland secondary school?

[@_Saracen_]

I'm not from the UK but I've read others point out that GCSE History was an optional subject for them and not mandatory, so you'd only learn about N.Ireland if you selected GCSE History. Most people seem not to take History I'm assuming.

[@MyratheDunmer]

I was in Scotland and did Standard Grade history AND Higher history. We learned fuck all about Ireland, which I personally find disgraceful.

[@gortfad12]

Love Siobhan as an actress and intelligent woman! Also, where can I get that sweatshirt?

[@jean-lucpicard5510]

I thought been part of the united kingdom and been a protestant stronghold, abortion would not be an issue in Ulster. It's a stain on mankind that even today, people have to fight for such a basic right. But then again, we still have people out there who hold a medieval mindset.

[@JustAnotherPerson4U]

She is correct. I WISH we were taught about Northern Ireland in school! We should learn about ALL of britain which include Scotland, Northern Ireland and wales as well as England! Including Ireland because Northern Ireland is with us rn. And even if they reunute with the rest of ireland it's important to learn about our colonial history. We need to learn about the whole union if we want to remain united.

[@bungkatbacksom1414]

Northern Ireland isn’t in Britain

[@AmyAberrant]

Absolutely!

[@hobbabobba7912]

@@bungkatbacksom1414 politically, you aren't correct.

[@themechanictangerine4337]

@@hobbabobba7912 well Britain comes from Great Britain and that's the Island were England, Wales and Scotland is, not Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK.

[@JonathanDoyle-te4mt]

Ireland isn't part of the UK's colonial past. Here the question though in a curriculum with more and more topics for inclusion such as black history what would you cut to make room?

[@sleepingbear1889]

This is so truth, as a English man, of 60 plus just doesn’t understand about Ireland. But to be honest the establishment doesn’t want us to know our real history. That why we continue to have established based government. The system need breaking

[@JonathanDoyle-te4mt]

If you had bothered reading a book, or a newspaper during the period it was quite well covered. Try Irish Freedom by Richard English it is a thorough overview of the whole conflict.

[@Stand663]

@@JonathanDoyle-te4mt Isish freedom ??? You just go and fck in vote. You live in a democratic society

[@georgeobrien9748]

So much said in less than 17 minutes.

[@missladyanonymity]

Is actress Anna Friel (whose dad is from County Donegal) related to the Friel Festival namesake?

[@obi-wankenobates5738]

I think it has more to do with Brian Friel, the playwright.

[@JonathanDoyle-te4mt]

Regarding all those things she lists are people not goods they wouldn't be impacted by a border as the CTA is remaining.

[@onelife7247]

Lack of interest: too many people have had zero interest in what is happening to people just a few miles away in Ireland yet they are happy to appropriate the “cosy” non-serious aspects of Ireland.

[@darger3]

Amazing talent

[@nicolamcguinness8689]

According to Wikipedia that American actor and singer Ken Curtis is still alive

[@johnshooter4763]

Are them her videos at start of season 3 or another siobhan from 1996?

[@Tazza81]

Siobhan is from Cork, so no, not her videos at the start of Season 3. The videos at the start were filmed for the show.

[@johnshooter4763]

Strange

[@richardd9938]

15:25 She was gonna say Doublespeak wasn't she?

[@becksfennelly]

Hero.

[@lizadeplate793]

Northen Ireland, North of Ireland! For me, very far from you...and your so very deep feelings...I do hope, one day you can work it out!

[@JonathanDoyle-te4mt]

She wouldn't of needed a passport to travel from Cork.

[@somendrasharma4907]

I came around this show by chance. And at first I thought would be around girl problems and typical netflix show issues. But it turned out to be whacky, funny and uplifting. when I thought that an all women ensemble can't be proper funny, I was so wrong. And every character in this show is likeable and beautiful. Also, I understand Irish people aren't very sophisticated, as an Indian, I can understand that. Weird thing to connect about...

[@gloin10]

You might be confusing 'sophisticated' with something else. Irish people might not be what you consider 'sophisticated', but we do know what is important. Family, friends, community and freedom are important. Most other stuff? Not very.

[@somendrasharma4907]

@@gloin10 yes that is called being 'Caring' or maybe 'pragmatic'. which is Not 'Sophisticated'. And you too admit that Irish people are not sophisticated, but cool and funny and caring... So how am I confusing 'Sophisticated' with anything? You sure you're not triggered just cause I compared the Irish with Indians?

[@gloin10]

@@somendrasharma4907 Not triggered at all. Just pointing out what we actually are.

[@jackhowarth2600]

Well Boris could go all 'Trump' and offer Irish unification within a United Kingdom with devolution plus (full autonomy except for defense and foreign policy).

[@nicholasflynn5376]

So basically Scotland, Thank but no thanks.

[@siobhanofarrell4646]

Why the fuck would we ever want that? We want our freedom and we want our country united again 🇮🇪

[@ShaneToob]

Or Ireland could stay where it is, in a more powerful Union where it actually has a voice. Britain could also stay, but I expect you wouldn't be fond of that.

[@yuccatree4298]

@Jack Howarth Irish unification is not something for the British to offer. Written in to the Good Friday Agreement is a clause allowing for a public referendum for unification IF and WHEN the people of the North of Ireland desire it. I'm Irish myself xx

[@annedunne4526]

Irish reunification is not for Britain to offer. It would depend on two referendums one North and one South of the border. If both voted yes, it would be out of British hands.

[@JonathanDoyle-te4mt]

Why would you call the British govt about an Irish passport? the clue surely is in the name?! The infinite patience the British have shown both communities in NI really gets no gratitude.

[@gower23]

Virtue signalling, sanctimonious crap.

[@DP-tf7qb]

oh anything is virtue signalling these days according to people like you!

[@fuelingforthelight]

Oh shut up.

[@youcontrolfreakssuckit3784]

These politics have no factual basis in equality. Human rights of the unborn innocent children in the womb are equal to the rights of women because women existed once in the womb themselves. Half of the people killed in abortion are women. The violence has suppressed your true conscience through hopeless depression. It’s no difference in the states in cities like east St. Louis, Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans, Mississippi River towns controlled by government handouts have more death and destruction in one decade than the troubles had in 20 years. Don’t turn your glorious hopefully green into the blues.

[@Ed-om9xy]

comparing abortions to the 3000+ deaths in the Troubles takes some mental gymnastics

[@zboululu1210]

There is no such a place as Derry it's Londonderry as long as it is under British rule.

[@gloin10]

You are legally entitled to call it 'Londonderry'. Away you go! The rest of us will continue to call it by its original name; Daire, which means 'oak wood', or 'oak grove'. Rendered into English as 'Derry'.

[@Tazza81]

Call it what you want pal, no one cares you sectarian bellend.

[@kiethmeefs4712]

Why is the hard border Britains responsibility? Doesn't the EU want to stop Britain undermining the EU market?

[@Sarcastix7]

Because it's Britain that is leaving the EU of their own volition, not the other way round. It's a British made border. Britain signed the GFA, an international treaty and it's not asking a lot for them to keep up their promises. Britain should be looking out for the best interests of its own citizens which means trying to find a solution to the border and not shifting the blame to the EU. That's just a few of the reasons

[@hellsjamfleas]

The EU isn't instigating change. They are passive. If they didn't uphold thier own system and laws (like market integrety) they would be self defeating.

[@kiethmeefs4712]

@@Sarcastix7 The border was there before brexit and will be there after brexit, the question is to do with the level of security at the border. The level of customs enforcement if its up to the British would be to a minimum with us not having our own tariffs with the EU, however the EU's tariffs would mean they would want a harder border to protect their own market. When it comes to the GFA, implementing the backstop would be a breach to the GFA so what is your solution to this problem?

[@Sarcastix7]

@@kiethmeefs4712 The backstop would breach the good Friday agreement?! Can you provide a source for that because I find it very hard to believe the negotiators of the UK, EU and Ireland would draft the backstop and hold firm for 2 years for something that would actually be in breach of the GFA.

[@kiethmeefs4712]

@@hellsjamfleas You can't be passive and uphold your own laws at the same time, to enforce laws take action. I do agree that they should look after their market integrity which is why they want a hard border or a bypass to it by the means of the backstop. The UK however would benefit from no hard border.

[@asanulsterman1025]

The UK will not implement a hard border, complain to the EU or those eejits down south

[@pauldillon1660]

Rich eejits haha ulster is the poorest province in Ireland much higher standard of living in the south. Are you sure we are the eejits.

[@asanulsterman1025]

@@pauldillon1660 I'm sure... South has highest level of indebtedness in the world, it will all end in tears again.

[@pauldillon1660]

Haha the UK has the second highest debt per capita in the world. More than double the amount of Ireland. Don't worry tho you will be apart of a united Ireland soon

[@asanulsterman1025]

@@pauldillon1660 Just not true... like most of the pie-in-the-sky bullshit you Shinners spout... eejit

[@oliverjumelle]

@@asanulsterman1025 like it or lump it. It is true!!!