Review of the Year - December 2022

December 2022 was, sadly, the 50th Anniversary of the Annie's Bar Massacre. On 20 December 1972, five civilians were killed after a mass shooting at the Top of the Hill bar.

The 50th anniversary Mass for those murdered was held in St Columb's Church, Waterside and was celebrated by Fr Michael Canny and deacon Reverend Shaun Doherty.

Giving the sermon at the Mass, Fr Canny said: "50 years ago today, just five days before Christmas, men from our community gathered in Annie’s Bar to watch a football match. There was an extra special atmosphere with Christmas just around the corner. Sadly, the joy and festive cheer in this little part of the world was about to be brutally silenced.

"At 10.30 on that Wednesday evening two men with evil in their hearts entered the bar. They left in their wake a scene of utter devastation and confusion. Five people lay dead, four were injured and the lives of many people in the Top of the Hill community were changed forever.   

"The motive for this callous act was sectarian - but evil cares not for faith. Among the dead was a Protestant, Charles Moore, aged 31, a nursing assistant, who left behind two daughters, a third daughter was born just three weeks later. Charlie McCafferty aged 30 had 5 stepchildren and a son and daughter. Barney Kelly was just 26, having married just three months earlier, his wife was expecting their first child.  Michael McGinley, (37), a married man who had played with his seven month old daughter, his pride and joy, before he headed out to watch the match.  Frank McCarron was the oldest victim at 58, he was a widower and had six daughters and a son.

"1972, 50 years ago, has been described as the darkest year in our so-called troubles. The pages of history tell us that 479 people were murdered and 4,876 people were injured.  

"From these grim statistics we know that this community was not the only community to have life changing events visited upon them. On this day 50 years ago eight people were killed across the north of Ireland, six in Derry. So whilst this evening our primary focus is on those murdered and injured in Annie’s Bar, tonight we hold in our hearts all those who suffered."
As a city remembered, they too felt great pride as December saw Derry icon, Lisa McGee, be conferred with the Freedom of the City and District.

The world renowned playwright, screenwriter and creator of the hugely popular Derry Girls series is the first woman to be given the award and joins the likes of John Hume, Phil Coulter and Winston Churchill in receiving the Council’s highest accolade. 

In June of this year, members of Derry City and Strabane District Council voted unanimously in favour of a motion to confer on her the Freedom of the City title.

Mayor Sandra Duffy led the tributes at the Guildhall ceremony and said the title was a fitting recognition of her career in the TV and film industry and the hugely important role Lisa has played in putting Derry on the international map, boosting civic pride and promoting tourism.

She said: “Lisa McGee is one of our most loved and admired screenwriters.

"We are hugely proud to confer this honour on her and to formally acknowledge her remarkable career that has seen her create and produce a wide range of TV and film material, that has achieved international acclaim.

“While Lisa is mainly known for her fantastic Derry Girls series, she has also been hugely successful for a number of other major TV credits including the BBC3’s The Things I Haven’t Told You, the BAFTA nominated Being Human and the popular Channel 4 sitcom London Irish and Raw, to name but a few.

“Born and reared in Derry, Lisa McGee, is extremely proud of her Derry roots and has never forgotten her home city.

"We are all so proud of Lisa McGee and the way in which she has depicted Derry and its people in her work.

"She has successfully captured the city and its people, their unique humour, warmth and resilience and we are over the moon to be in a position to recognise her work in this way.

"It is a fitting tribute that she is the first woman to be conferred with the Freedom of the City and District title.”

Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee said receiving the award was “surreal”, and that she was hugely proud to be from the city.

“This is really surreal. I still can’t believe it,” she said after receiving the award. This is just such a privilege and honour.

“I’m immensely proud to be from Derry. As a writer working in television, an industry that’s notoriously tough to break into and to survive in, being from Derry has always felt like my superpower.

“It’s just steeped in story and full of storytellers. I always thought it was an unfair advantage.

“Since the success of Derry Girls, many people have asked me to explain that advantage more specifically, is it the legacy of John Hume’s political genius?

“Is it the literary flair of Seamus Heaney or the soundtrack of Phil Coulter?

“Or is it the fact that when you go into any restaurant here, you’ll be asked ‘What wee side do you want with your wee side?’ And I think it’s all of those things.

“It’s just been my greatest privilege to be able to write Derry Girls, to be able to showcase our amazing sense of humour and warmth and humanity.

“And I’m going to continue writing about the place I come from, the place I love.”

 The Freedom of the City and District is a way of recognising and expressing gratitude for outstanding service and contribution to life in the Council area.  

This month also saw a Derry teenager be hailed a hero after he saved a young girl's life.

Blake Mitchell of Lisneal College was out with friends last week when 12-year-old Kayla Boreland hurt her head after falling.

She was knocked unconscious and started to choke. Blake immediately jumped into action and placed Kayla into the recovery position and held her tongue to free her airways. Blake stayed with Kayla until help arrived at the scene.

Lisneal College praised the youngster for his heroic actions and expressed their pride. They wrote: "It’s not everyday one of your pupils saves a life. Last week Blake, Year 10, was with some friends when one of them banged their head. 

"Blake realised they were choking and proceeded to open their airwaves and free their tongue.

"The information passed to the school is that there is no doubt he saved her life. We are very proud of this brave young man."

Kayla's mother Emma said Blake was "a true human angel" for saving Kayla's life. She wrote: "I will be forever grateful to you young man. My daughter wouldn't be here today only for your quick acting. Thank you so very much, Blake. A true human angel you are."

Blake's mother Lisa Mitchell also wrote: "We are all very proud of you, son. Our hero."

Before we knew it, the festive season was upon us. Santa had visited town, The Forum's Panto was in full swing, the tallest Christmas tree on the island was erected once again and the Christmas lights flooded the city streets.

2022 has been a year full of hope, grief, joy and growth for our city. Everyone continues to support local in true Derry spirit and the community never fails to come to the aid of its own and beyond. 

From everyone here at Derry News, we hope you had a wonderful festive season and we look forward to 2023 and everything it has in store.