Ireland

Nell McCafferty in Pictures

Fierce feminist, journalist, social campaigner, and playwright described as a ‘trailblazer’ and ‘towering figure’

Nell McCafferty, a prominent journalist, author, and feminist campaigner, has died aged 80 in Co Donegal, Photograph: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Nell McCafferty, a prominent journalist, author, and feminist campaigner, has died aged 80 in Co Donegal, Photograph: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Wed Aug 21 2024 - 12:56

The journalist Nell McCafferty, often described as a firebrand feminist has died aged 80.

McCafferty was born in Derry in 1944 to Hugh and Lily McCafferty and grew up in the Bogside. 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 in The Irish Times.

She was a founding member of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement and found her voice writing on women and women’s rights, poverty and social injustices in the Ireland of the late 1960s and 1970s.

Journalism
Nell McCafferty and her fellow female journalists and writers in The Irish Times’s newsroom
L to R: Maeve Donelan, Nell McCafferty, Mary Maher, Geraldine Kennedy, Renagh Holohan, Gabrielle Williams, Christina Murphy, Mary Cummins and Caroline Walsh. Photograph: The Irish Times
L to R: Maeve Donelan, Nell McCafferty, Mary Maher, Geraldine Kennedy, Renagh Holohan, Gabrielle Williams, Christina Murphy, Mary Cummins and Caroline Walsh. Photograph: The Irish Times
Contraception Train

McCafferty and other women, including Mary Robinson, before getting on train to Belfast to buy condoms, which were illegal in Republic in the 1970s and 1980s.

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Women on the platfrom of Connolly Station, Dublin in 1971 prior to bording the Belfast Train to buy contraceptives, which were illegal in the Republic in the 1970s and 1980s. Photograph: The Irish Times
Women on the platfrom of Connolly Station, Dublin in 1971 prior to bording the Belfast Train to buy contraceptives, which were illegal in the Republic in the 1970s and 1980s. Photograph: The Irish Times
Nell and Bono

McCafferty and Irish singer Bono in 1995

Nell McCafferty with U2 lead singer Bono at the Right To Remarry campaign in the Civic Offices in Dublin in 1995 Photograph: RollingNews.ie
Nell McCafferty with U2 lead singer Bono at the Right To Remarry campaign in the Civic Offices in Dublin in 1995 Photograph: RollingNews.ie
Book signing

McCafferty congratulated by members of the public in Eason during her book signing in 2004.

Nell McCafferty in Easons Dublin is congratulated by members of the public during her book signing in 2004 Photograph: Leon Farrell//RollingNews.ie
Nell McCafferty in Easons Dublin is congratulated by members of the public during her book signing in 2004 Photograph: Leon Farrell//RollingNews.ie
June’s rest

Friends of June Levine at her funeral at Mount Jerome cemetery in Harlods Cross. From left Nell McCafferty, Mary Sheerin Mary Maher, Mairin Johnston Mairin DeBurca and Marie McMahon

From left Nell McCafferty, Mary Sheerin Mary Maher, Máirin Johnston Máirín DeBurca and Marie McMahon at June Levin's funeral. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
From left Nell McCafferty, Mary Sheerin Mary Maher, Máirin Johnston Máirín DeBurca and Marie McMahon at June Levin's funeral. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Lisbon Treaty

McCafferty at the launch of the Women for Europe Yes in the Lisbon Treaty Referendum campaign.

Nell McCafferty at the Women for Europe Yes in the Lisbon Treaty Referendum campaign at Dublin's Mansion house. Photograph: Alan Betson
Nell McCafferty at the Women for Europe Yes in the Lisbon Treaty Referendum campaign at Dublin's Mansion house. Photograph: Alan Betson
From left: Monica Barnes, Frances Fitzgerald, Enda Kenny and Nell McCafferty at the funeral of the former Fine Gael minister of state for women's affairs Nuala Fennell in 2009. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh
From left: Monica Barnes, Frances Fitzgerald, Enda Kenny and Nell McCafferty at the funeral of the former Fine Gael minister of state for women's affairs Nuala Fennell in 2009. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh
Speaking truth to power

Nell McCafferty addresses former Archbishop Diarmuid Martin following the publication of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation Report

Nell McCafferty addresses former Archbishop Diarmuid Martin at Bishops' press conference following the publication of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation Report. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien
Nell McCafferty addresses former Archbishop Diarmuid Martin at Bishops' press conference following the publication of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation Report. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien
Rally for Recognition

Nell McCafferty at Rally for Recognition with trans people and allies from across Ireland and Europe today to demand introduction of inclusive and respectful Gender Recognition legislation.

Nell McCafferty speaking to a participant at Rally for Recognition with trans people and allies from across Ireland and Europe. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
Nell McCafferty speaking to a participant at Rally for Recognition with trans people and allies from across Ireland and Europe. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
Honoured

Nell McCafferty before receiving an honorary doctorate from University College Cork

Nell McCafferty preparing to receive an honorary doctorate from University College Cork. Photograph: Clare Keogh
Nell McCafferty preparing to receive an honorary doctorate from University College Cork. Photograph: Clare Keogh
Repeal

McCafferty at the Strike Repeal March on O’Connell Bridge

Nell McCafferty at the Strike Repeal March. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Nell McCafferty at the Strike Repeal March. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Nell McCafferty