Amelia Earhart - One of the world’s most famous aviators, American heroine and icon - is actually a Derry Girl! When she broke the world record as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932 she landed unexpectedly in Gallagher’s field in Ballyarnett, on the outskirts of the city. She was surprised. The rest of the world was surprised, as the plan was to land in Paris. 

The TDGs talk to Derry tour guide Eilish Quigley from AELA (the Amelia Earhart Legacy Association) about this amazing story and the connections that have been made in Kansas and Newfoundland. There are plans for big celebrations in ’22 to mark the 90th anniversary. 

Also it’s Christmas - and Jeanie’s parents are stuck at George Best Belfast City Airport (the irony didn’t escape us) and Pauline plans to upgrade or at least get a photo of the Amelia Earhart Lounge at City of Derry Airport! 

Amelia Earhart Legacy Association website (undergoing a bit of construction at the moment). www.ameliaearhartlegacyassociation.co.uk

Facebook page for Amelia Derry Earhart: https://www.facebook.com/Amelia-Derry-Earhart-902000866508749/

Plans for the 90th anniversary of Amelia’s landing in Derry: https://www.derrystrabane.com/Council/News/Council-outlines-plans-to-mark-90th-anniversary-of

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-57198081

Ninety Nines - formed in 1928 to support women in aviation. Amelia Earhart was the first President  https://www.ninety-nines.org/

Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum FB page https://www.facebook.com/AEHangarMuseum/

Visit Derry https://www.visitderry.com/blog/read/2021/03/amelia-earhart-b222

Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum FB page https://www.facebook.com/AEHangarMuseum/

Amelia’s little red bus which she flew from Newfoundland to Gallagher’s field on the outskirts of Derry in 1932 https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/lockheed-vega-5b-amelia-earhart/nasm_A19670093000

Tours n Trails https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/tours-n-trails-p686631

Amelia Earhart’s cottage closes 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8039687.stm

Amelia - film 2009 staring Hilary Swank https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1129445/

Ballyarnett Heritage Trail https://www.shantallow.net/heritage-trail

George P Putnam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_P._Putnam

For more information about Talking Derry Girls, go to: www.thebiglight.com/talkingderrygirls