Renowned Derry journalist Nell McCafferty has died
Tributes paid to author, journalist and feminist activist Nell McCafferty who has died, aged 80
Tributes have been paid to renowned Derry journalist Nell McCafferty, who has died.
She died in the early hours of Wednesday morning at a County Donegal nursing home, her family confirmed this morning.
She was among the early cohorts of Catholics admitted to Queens University in Belfast, where she studied arts and got involved in civil rights politics. She spent time teaching briefly before beginning her journalism career.
She worked for several publications including the Irish Times, the Sunday Tribune and Hot Press and was a regular panellist on radio and television programmes.
Mrs McCafferty was a prominent voice on women’s rights issues across the island of Ireland and in 1970 co-founded the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement.
In 1971, she travelled to Belfast with other members of the Irish Women's Liberation Movement in order to protest the prohibition of the importation and sale of contraceptives in the Republic of Ireland. The incident, which attracted extensive publicity, became known as the 'Contraceptive Train'.
Leading the tributes, Taoiseach Simon Harris described "fierce, fearless and fiery" campaigner who “suffered no fools”.
"If she was in the room or in the debate, you knew about it," he said.
"Her passion and wrath was not scattergun, it had a laser-like focus on calling out inequality and injustice. She suffered no fools but had a kindness and warmth for many. Her wit and Derry turn of phrase made her impossible to ignore.
"As one of the women who took the train in 1971, she set in train an unstoppable wave for equality and a changing of Ireland for the better. That change has not yet reached its conclusion but it would be nowhere if it wasn’t for warriors like Nell.
"In an Ireland trying to emerge from the shadows and find who it was, Nell McCafferty was one of the people who knew exactly who she was and wasn’t afraid to enter every battle for gay and women’s rights. We all owe her a great debt for this.
"Nell McCafferty left Ireland a much better place than she found it and she played her part with spirit and style.
"May she rest in peace."
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood described her as “an icon”.
“Very sorry to hear about the death of Nell McCafferty. A mould breaker and establishment shaker, she spoke truth to power like only a Derry woman could,” he said.
“An icon for so many people across Ireland. Nell will be sadly missed but her activism will endure.”
Sinn Féin's Michelle O’Neill also paid tribute to Nell McCafferty.
The First Minister said: “I want to express my deep sadness at the death of former journalist, author and campaigner Nell McCafferty today.
“Nell was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. A proud feminist, and a civil rights campaigner who used her voice to promote equality and fight injustices in our society.
“She eloquently spoke up for disadvantaged women through her work with the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement, particularly highlighting the poverty and injustices women faced in the late 20th century across the island.
“Nell McCafferty was a towering figure in Irish journalism with great courage and honesty and was an important figure during the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.
“A proud daughter of Derry, Nell's wisdom, humour and humility will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to her family and friends at this very difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”
Ireland’s Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik said: “Deeply saddened to hear today about the death of the wonderful, fearless and unique feminist icon - Nell McCafferty.
“It was an honour and a privilege to have known Nell, and to have had such fun with her over the years. Deep sympathies to all her family and friends.”