Nell Gavin

Ellen Pamela McCafferty, known as Nell McCafferty, was an Irish journalist, playwright, and civil rights campaigner who passed away in August 2024. Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, she pursued higher education at Queen's University Belfast before embarking on a career in journalism. McCafferty was a significant voice in Irish public life, contributing to various publications including The Irish Press, The Irish Times, and The Village Voice.

Her work often focused on social justice, particularly women's rights and the experiences of marginalized communities. She was a founding member of the Irish Women's Liberation Movement and actively campaigned on issues such as reproductive rights and the treatment of children in reform schools. McCafferty's journalistic output included notable coverage of the Kerry Babies case, documented in her book 'A Woman to Blame'. Her autobiography, 'Nell', published in 2004, offered insights into her personal life and relationships. She received an honorary doctorate from University College Cork in recognition of her contributions to Irish society.

Nell McCafferty established herself as a prominent journalist, writing for influential Irish newspapers and magazines. Her journalistic career was deeply intertwined with her activism, particularly her work with the Irish Women's Liberation Movement, which she co-founded. McCafferty's writing consistently addressed the status of women in Irish society, advocating for equality and challenging existing systems. She was vocal about issues such as the prohibition of contraceptives, campaigning against the "brutal reform schools" that housed young offenders, and advocating for the welfare of female Republican prisoners. Her presence at Bloody Sunday in 1972 underscored her commitment to civil rights.

Beyond her journalism, McCafferty authored several books, including "The Armagh Women" and "A Woman to Blame: the Kerry Babies Case," which examined significant social and political events. Her autobiography, "Nell," provided a personal narrative of her life, including her upbringing, relationships, and reflections on her identity. McCafferty's public commentary, though sometimes controversial, as seen in a 2010 radio interview, demonstrated her willingness to engage with contentious issues. The Irish Times noted her "distinctive voice" as having a "powerful and provocative place in Irish society," a sentiment echoed by University College Cork's awarding of an honorary doctorate for her "transformative impact" on Irish public life.

“Women's Liberation is finding it very hard to explain the difference, when you come down to it, except in terms of physical make-up. And men are as different as women, which no-one holds against them. It's the system which divides. Break the system, unite the people.”

“the suffering of women anywhere cannot be ignored by feminists”