Bronagh Gallagher is a singer and actor born and raised in Derry. Her big break came when she starred as Bernie in The Commitments in 1991, which was followed up with small parts in Pulp Fiction (1994) and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). Gallagher starred in Bump Along the Way, a Derry-made film about a woman who becomes pregnant after a one night stand. Bronagh Gallagher also had a cameo in Derry Girls where she played a singer in a band called The Commitment at Jenny Joyce's house party. Gallagher released her most recent EP WITCH IT UP in June last year. Bronagh Gallagher is pictured at the Foyle Hospice Memory Tree. (DER1014PG074)placeholder image
Bronagh Gallagher is a singer and actor born and raised in Derry. Her big break came when she starred as Bernie in The Commitments in 1991, which was followed up with small parts in Pulp Fiction (1994) and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). Gallagher starred in Bump Along the Way, a Derry-made film about a woman who becomes pregnant after a one night stand. Bronagh Gallagher also had a cameo in Derry Girls where she played a singer in a band called The Commitment at Jenny Joyce's house party. Gallagher released her most recent EP WITCH IT UP in June last year. Bronagh Gallagher is pictured at the Foyle Hospice Memory Tree. (DER1014PG074)

20 famous people with Derry connections

By Daire Ní Chanáin
Published 11th Jan 2023, 11:59 BST

Derry people are well known for their way with words and ability to carry a tune. But some Derry natives have taken those talents further than the rest of us.

Here’s 20 well known people who were born in the Maiden City or connected to us somehow. All roads lead back to Derry!

Creator and writer of Derry Girls Lisa McGee, pictured at the world premiere screening of Derry Girls season 3 in the Omniplex Cinema. Photo: George Sweeney. DER2214GS – 019

13. Lisa McGee

Creator and writer of Derry Girls Lisa McGee, pictured at the world premiere screening of Derry Girls season 3 in the Omniplex Cinema. Photo: George Sweeney. DER2214GS – 019 Photo: George Sweeney

Photo Sales
Josef Locke was a tenor singer, popular in the 1940s and 1950's. Born in Derry, he was the son of a butcher and cattle dealer, and one of nine children. He started singing in local churches in the Bogside at the age of seven, and as a teenager added two years to his age to enlist in the Irish Guards before rising to fame as a singer.

14. Josef Locke.

Josef Locke was a tenor singer, popular in the 1940s and 1950's. Born in Derry, he was the son of a butcher and cattle dealer, and one of nine children. He started singing in local churches in the Bogside at the age of seven, and as a teenager added two years to his age to enlist in the Irish Guards before rising to fame as a singer. Photo: Other

Photo Sales
Derry artist Willie Doherty has been a pioneering figure in contemporary art film and photography for four decades. Exploring the relationship between landscape and memory, Doherty responds to mysterious isolated settings that conceal a troubled past. Doherty is pictured with his widely acclaimed previous art project, Apparatus.

15. Willie Doherty.

Derry artist Willie Doherty has been a pioneering figure in contemporary art film and photography for four decades. Exploring the relationship between landscape and memory, Doherty responds to mysterious isolated settings that conceal a troubled past. Doherty is pictured with his widely acclaimed previous art project, Apparatus. Photo: none

Photo Sales
Nell McCafferty is a journalist, playwright, civil rights campaigner and feminist.

16. Nell McCafferty.

Nell McCafferty is a journalist, playwright, civil rights campaigner and feminist. Photo: Derry Journal

Photo Sales
Previous
4 / 5
Next Page
Related topics:Derry
News you can trust since 1772
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice