Nell McCafferty is one of Derry’s most formidable political voices. A founder of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement and a tireless campaigner for women’s rights, she is famous for her straight-talking and fearless nature.

This interview was conducted for the documentary, No Go: The Free Derry Story, directed by the tape’s donor, Vinny Cunningham. 

McCafferty was born and grew up in the Bogside area of Derry. This traditionally nationalist neighbourhood became a flashpoint in the early years of the Northern Ireland Troubles. In 1969, it became the sight of a three-day battle between the former police force of Northern Ireland, the RUC, and members of the city’s Apprentice Boys fraternity and residents of the Bogside. As a result of the violence, the Bogside became a “No Go” area for the freshly-deployed British Army and police for several years. 

In this interview, McCafferty talks about seeing British Soldiers in the area for the first time and initially feeling positive about their presence at the beginning of the Troubles. She also discusses her relationships with key figures in the battle such as Bernadette Devlin and Eamon McCann.

This video is an opportunity to hear history from an eyewitness and a remarkable individual. 

Vinny Cunningham is a filmmaker based in Derry.

This video was donated to the Tower Museum and the Digital Film Archive by Vinny Cunningham. 

• Derry City & Strabane District Council