‘Derry Girls’ issue unique ‘lockdown’ message

Erin and Orla are camped out in a makeshift “bunker” (the airing cupboard) during the 1996 riots in Derry.

“Good evening, my name is Erin Quinn and this is Orla McCool,” begins Erin. “The year is 1996 and we’re speaking from Derry, Northern Ireland. These are uncertain times. Peace negotiations have broken down and mass rioting engulfs our streets. The city is literally on fire. We’ve been ordered to remain inside our homes by the authorities,” she continues.

Erin explains that they took the “brave decision” to record their experience for future historians. “It’s not gonna be easy,” she adds.

“At this stage I’ve already lost all sense of time. I mean, I’ve no idea how long I’ve been here.”

It’s a feeling we can all relate to right now.

“I would say 20 minutes or so,” Orla interrupts.

“God knows when this’ll be over, but when we eventually walk back out into the world I will look at everything with new eyes,” says Erin. “A situation like this makes you appreciate all the things that you took for granted.”

Wise words, indeed.

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