Journalist and author Nell McCafferty has died at the age of 80.
The Derry woman was a leader of the Irish feminist movement in the late 1960s and was a founding member of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement (IWLM) in 1970.
Her family confirmed her death this morning at a nursing home in County Donegal.
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On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, fellow IWLM founder Mary Kenny said McCafferty was an “absolutely brilliant speaker” who was “at the level of James Connolly”.
“She absolutely was an iconic figure and a very important leader of the Irish feminist movement in the 1970s,” she said.
“She was an absolutely brilliant speaker. To see her at the Mansion House, I remember, she was at the level of James Connolly.
“She inspired people in such an amazingly powerful way.
“She was also a brilliant writer; she was a wonderful journalist and great fun. That was the thing about Nell, she had a marvellous sense of humour.
“So even people that were critical of her, perhaps because she was so upfront, were completely disarmed by her charm and how funny she could be in that very special Derry way.
“So indeed very, very sad.”
We are very sorry to hear about the death of the trailblazer and champion of women's rights Nell McCafferty
Our work today benefits from her bravery and strength Women for Election extend our deepest sympathies to all her family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam #RIPNell pic.twitter.com/m88ycyBDXN
— Women for Election (@women4election) August 21, 2024
In 1971 McCafferty travelled to Belfast with other members of the IWLM to protest the ban on the importation and sale of contraceptives into the Republic.
The much-publicised campaign became known as the ‘Contraceptive Train’ and is viewed as a landmark moment in Ireland’s feminist movement.
Ms Kenny said her memory of the campaign was that it was “absolutely hilarious”.
“You know it was this high-spirited almost schoolgirl stunt attitude,” she said.
“It was very high spirited in that sense; it wasn’t at all downbeat or gloomy so that was very much part of the atmosphere.”
Desperately sad to learn of the death of dear Nell McCafferty. A wonderful person, an iconic figure in the Irish feminist movement, brilliant, funny, an amazingly fine writer and altogether unforgettable. Ar dhéis Dé go raibh a hanem.
— Mary Kenny (@MaryKenny4) August 21, 2024
She said the campaign is “not always remembered very accurately” but agreed that it was a “significant stunt indeed”.
“Some women in the feminist movement chose not to join it because they did think it was a bit too in your face,” she said.
“Mary Robinson didn’t think it was dignified, for example, to go around buying condoms.”
Ms Kenny rejected claims that the group eventually brought back aspirin pills instead of the contraceptive pill.
“That is complete myth and legend,” she said.
“The pill was legal in the Republic of Ireland; there would have been no point whatsoever in trying to bring it across the border because it was already legal.
“The point was – in the North of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – that you needed to have a prescription from a doctor; it was completely the same on both sides of the border.”
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.
An icon for so many people across Ireland. Nell will be sadly missed but her activism will endure.
— Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) August 21, 2024
She said “barrier methods” of birth control were illegal in Ireland at the time and that was the point of the campaign.
“This story about the pill was actually a bit of a joke,” she said.
“I think Nell started it off as a bit of a joke really and historically it is beside the point, honestly.”
Deeply saddened at the passing of Nell McCafferty.
Nell was an exceptional journalist & campaigner - the voice of an era who helped to bring major advancements in civil rights & women’s rights. She made an enormous contribution to public debate in Ireland. (1/2)
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 21, 2024
Ms Kenny said McCafferty used humour well in everything she did, adding that she brought “merriness and laughter all the way”.
“She was a lovely person and really, really cherished by everyone,” she said.
“I don’t think she did meet with much hostility to be honest. She met with outrage sometimes and shock but I think people loved Nell.
“There was a tremendous national affection for her and I think that should be stressed as well.”
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have led the tributes to McCafferty, which have been throughout the morning.
