Counter Culture / November 4, 2022

Award-winning documentary ‘Lyra’ to be released in Irish cinemas from today

Counter Culture / November 4, 2022

Award-winning documentary ‘Lyra’ to be released in Irish cinemas from today

Words: Eva O’Beirne

Directed by Alison Millar, the film explores the life and death of renowned Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKee who was killed in 2019.

A documentary about the life of writer and journalist Lyra McKee titled ‘Lyra’ will be screened in Irish cinemas from today. McKee was 29 when she was shot dead by the New IRA while observing a riot in the Creggan area of Derry in April 2019.

McKee was undoubtedly a powerhouse. She won a Sky News Young Journalist Award at 16 and came to wider public attention when she posted a blog entitled “Letter to my 14-year-old self”, in which she described the challenges of growing up gay in Northern Ireland. At the time of her death, McKee had signed a two-book deal and was about to propose to her girlfriend.

The documentary, which won the Audience Award at the Cork Film Festival, uses home footage, voiceovers and McKee’s words to tell the story of the complexities of Northern Ireland’s political history.

A special Q&A screening with director Alison Millar will be held this Sunday in the Light House Cinema, Smithfield at 15:00. Click here for more information.

For other showings of ‘Lyra‘, you can check out the Light House‘s website.

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