A long, hard road to fame

When Siobhan McSweeney won the role of the sardonic Sister Michael in the acclaimed sitcom Derry Girls, her profile skyrocketed

Siobhan McSweeney: ‘For me, the Repeal movement is another emancipation of Irish women ’ Pic: Cathal Noonan

‘Isn’t it bonkers?” Siobhan McSweeney lets out a throaty chuckle. The Irish actress is talking about the reaction to Derry Girls, the series set in 1990s Derry which affectionately chronicles the lives of four schoolgirls and their pal (“the wee English fellow”) James. The series has become the biggest comedy-drama ever to come out of the North, with millions tuning in to Channel 4 to watch their trials as they essay through various ...