Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Sunday 16°CMonday 17°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityEntertainmentHealthNews

‘Lyra’s heart is in film, it’s so powerful’

written by cassoscoop November 8, 2021
ShareTweet

Lyra McKee and her mum Joan who passed away in March 2020 of a broken heart

A FILM celebrating the life of murdered journalist Lyra McKee has premiered at both Belfast and Cork film festivals.

Ms McKee was shot dead by a teenage dissident republican gunman as she observed rioting in Derry’s Creggan estate on Thursday, April 18, 2019.

The film utilises hours of voice recordings from Ms McKee’s mobile phone, computer and Dictaphone, as well as family footage to tell her story.

It is the brainchild of BAFTA award-winning director and close friend of Ms McKee, Alison Millar.

Ms Millar said she was initially hesitant to make a film about her late friend, but was convinced to go ahead with the project by Lyra’s partner, Sara Canning, and sister Nichola Corner.

“There was a responsibility in doing it and also doing it right,” Ms Millar told BBC Radio Foyle.

“Between Nichola, Sara and the rest of the family there was a sense, because Lyra loved my films and we were such close friends, that we should definitely do this.”

Ms Millar said putting the movie together “wasn’t easy” but it meant she heard her friend’s voice again.

“I got to spend every day with Lyra for the past 18 months making this film,” she said.

“The good things is we do really give Lyra her voice back… it’s great because she really is so amazing and funny,” Ms Millar explained.

“All we ever wanted to do was make people know more about her.”

Lyra McKee hailed from a working-class background in Belfast to become an investigative journalist, working to highlight the consequences of the North’s Troubles.

Ms McKee had written for many publications, including Buzzfeed, Private Eye, the Atlantic and Mosaic Science.

She was named Sky News young journalist of the year in 2006 and Forbes Magazine named her as one of their “30 Under 30” in media in Europe in 2016.

The 29-year-old north Belfast woman had signed a two-book deal with the publisher Faber and Faber.

As a voice of the “ceasefire generation”, the film entitled Lyra, explores Ms McKee’s role representing hope for a future free from conflict in Northern Ireland.

Lyra McKee and partner Sara Canning. Lyra had plans to propose to Sara and marry her in Donegal

Sara Canning said her partner’s “heart is in this film”.

“It is really like having her with you again when you watch it because it’s truly her and that’s what makes the film so powerful; she is there throughout and the impact of her loss is so apparent,” she said.

“There was some really lovely stuff written about Lyra at the time [of her death] but none of it really conveyed who she was, but this film does that,” Ms Canning said.

“We tried our best at the time she was murdered to do that, but it was hard because everything was just so overwhelming at the time.”

The film focuses on Ms McKee’s killing, which cast shockwaves across the world.

Ms Canning said that Ms Millar’s film allows Lyra “to tell her own story” and convey to the audience just how loved she was by friends and family.

“It was a hard watch, I am not going to lie, I always knew it would be. But there was a comfort in it that I knew she was there and I could feel her around me.

“But after it was over I felt awful, because she was gone again.

“I want people to go away from the film with just a sense of who Lyra was, full of life, funny and just how amazing she was.”

A number of people are facing charges in relation to events in Derry on the night of Ms McKee’s death including murder, possessing the firearm used in the killing and rioting.

‘Lyra’s heart is in film, it’s so powerful’ was last modified: November 10th, 2021 by cassoscoop

Tags:
'Lyra's heart is in filmCRegganDerry Citydissident republican gunmanFanad Driverit's so powerful'Lyra filmLyra McKeeNEW IRAproducer Alison MillarSara Canning
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Man charged to court over Derry drugs...

14 hours ago

Rory Gallagher Festival gets green light for...

15 hours ago

Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

1 day ago

Funeral of mother and daughter killed in...

1 day ago

Man arrested over Class C drugs seizure...

1 day ago

Boyce hat-trick sends Derry City into seventh...

2 days ago

Dance company loses appeal over 100% annual...

2 days ago

Unmissable music events coming to the Abbey...

2 days ago

Derry priest faces seven more child sex...

2 days ago

New leaflet to help older people beat...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy