Dana - The Original Derry Girl
In 1970, Dana won the Eurovision Song Contest. It was a moment that changed her life. This is an emotional and honest look back at the incredible story of what happened next.
In 1970, an 18-year-old schoolgirl left the Bogside in Derry to represent Ireland in the 15th Eurovision Song Contest. What happened that night was to change her life forever.
Dana - The Original Derry Girl is an emotional and honest look back at a girl鈥檚 incredible life story, retracing her steps to Amsterdam鈥檚 RAI theatre, where, against the odds, she became Ireland鈥檚 first Eurovision winner.
At a time when the violent conflict of the Troubles was dominating the news, Rosemary Scallon, better known as Dana, became a national hero overnight.
Studying for her A levels when she won, Dana was totally unprepared for the instant celebrity that followed and she recalls how the whirlwind of sudden success left her feeling lonely and isolated.
The programme looks at the fascinating story of what happened she won the competition, including her successful pop and TV career in the 70s, her marriage to Newry hotelier Damien Scallon, her move to Alabama, her switch to religious music, including performances for the pope, before entering the spotlight of Irish politics.
The highs and lows of her career are laid bare in a revealing, emotional interview. 鈥楲ike in everybody鈥檚 life, there are the really hard things that happen. They either crush you completely or they make you stronger and I鈥檓 working on that.鈥 After some difficult years, Dana returned to music, recording a new album in Rome in 2018.
This retrospective is an archive-rich trip down memory lane, with incredible access and an honest, and sometimes raw, look at her incredible career. With contributions from Derry Lindsay, Senator David Norris, Dave Fanning and many others, the programme ends with Dana joining local choirs on stage in the Guildhall Derry, where she performed as a young girl, to take part in a moving version of Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith鈥檚 All Kinds of Everything, the song that won Eurovision.
Asked what advice she would give to her 18-year-old self if she could travel back in time, she pauses and says, 鈥楯ust be kinder to yourself and enjoy it more.鈥
Last on
Clip
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Eurovision 1970
Duration: 01:29
Music Played
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Dana
Something's Cookin' In The Kitchen
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Dana
Totus tuus
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Dana and The Northern Ireland Squad
Yerman
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The Facer
Asphalt
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Dana
All Kinds Of Everything
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Narrator | Ian Beattie |
Producer | Catriona Doyle |
Director | Richard Weller |
Broadcasts
- Mon 11 May 2020 22:50大象传媒 One Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
- Fri 15 May 2020 23:00
- Sun 17 May 2020 21:15大象传媒 Two Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
- Mon 14 Dec 2020 22:50大象传媒 One Northern Ireland HD & Northern Ireland only
- Fri 13 May 2022 23:30
- Mon 26 Feb 2024 22:40大象传媒 One Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
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