Nell McCafferty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nell McCafferty
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| Born | 28 March 1944 Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 21 August 2024 (aged 80) Donegal County Donegal, Republic of Ireland |
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
Nell McCafferty (born 28 March 1944 – died 21 August 2024) was an important Irish journalist and writer. She was also a playwright, which means she wrote plays. Nell was a strong voice for civil rights and for women's rights. She wrote for many well-known newspapers and magazines, like The Irish Press and The Irish Times.
Early Life and Education
Nell McCafferty was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. Her parents were Hugh and Lily McCafferty. She grew up in an area of Derry called the Bogside.
Later, Nell went to Queen's University Belfast (QUB). There, she earned a degree in Arts. After university, she worked as a substitute English teacher for a short time. She also spent some time on a Kibbutz in Israel. A Kibbutz is a special type of community farm. After these experiences, she started working for The Irish Times newspaper.
Nell's Career and Activism
Nell McCafferty was a founding member of the Irish Women's Liberation Movement. This group worked to improve the lives and rights of women in Ireland. Her writing often focused on women's issues. She believed that society's rules often treated women unfairly.
She once wrote that the system divides people, not their differences. She wanted to break down unfair systems and bring people together. Even after the Irish Women's Liberation Movement ended, Nell kept fighting for women's rights. She used her journalism to highlight these important issues.
One of her most famous works is her reporting on the Kerry Babies case. This was a very important legal case in Ireland. She wrote a book about it called A Woman to Blame.
In 1984, Nell contributed to a book called Sisterhood Is Global: The International Women's Movement Anthology. This book collected writings from women around the world. Her piece was titled "Coping with the womb and the border."
In 1990, Nell won a Jacob's Award. This award was for her radio reports on the 1990 FIFA World Cup. She reported for RTÉ Radio 1's The Pat Kenny Show.
Nell McCafferty published her autobiography, Nell, in 2004. An autobiography is a book about your own life. In her book, she wrote about growing up in Derry. She also shared stories about her parents. She wrote about finding happiness with the Irish writer Nuala O'Faolain. She also shared the sadness of losing her.
In 2016, University College Cork gave Nell an honorary doctorate. This was a special award for her amazing work. It recognized her contribution to Irish public life. It also honored her strong voice in movements for civil rights and for people who were treated unfairly.
Personal Life and Passing
Nell McCafferty had a long and loving relationship with the journalist Nuala O'Faolain. Their partnership lasted for fifteen years.
Nell McCafferty passed away on 21 August 2024. She was 80 years old. She died in a nursing home in County Donegal.
