The recent 25th anniversary of Northern Ireland's Good Friday agreement was particularly poignant for the loved ones of late journalist Lyra McKee, since it also marked the fourth anniversary of her death.
A trailblazing journalist, Lyra (pronounced Leer-rah) was known for her fearless writing – from her honest pieces on life as a young gay woman in Belfast to her experience of being part of a generation growing up during the immediate legacy of the Troubles.
Following her senseless death in 2019 – Lyra was shot dead while observing and reporting on a riot in Northern Ireland – the tributes penned by her journalist colleagues painted a clear picture of her profound loss, not only in her writing talent but in her fearless curiosity and her kindness and care of others.
We can't even believe we have to say this.
Fellow writer Sinéad Gleeson wrote for the Irish Times: “Public Lyra was a brilliant journalist and advocate; someone who spoke up for others, and fearlessly probed at uncomfortable subjects. The Lyra I got to know was upbeat and kind; a devoted carer to her mother; a cat lover.”
Laura Hassan added: “She could always see the imprint of the Troubles in the graves freshly dug for those too young to fully remember the conflict and it is just heartbreaking that a continuation of that violence has cut short her life too. Lyra asked the right questions and reported on the things that matter.”
Now, Lyra's brilliant voice is being heard once again as a documentary on her life and work, Lyra, is set to air on Channel 4. Directed by her close friend Alison Millar, it will touch on Lyra's groundbreaking work in telling stories on intergenerational trauma, suicide and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as insight from her close friends and family. Here's everything you need to know about Lyra.
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What is Lyra about?
As Channel 4 puts it, Lyra is: “An emotive, intimate, feature-length portrait of Lyra Mckee – the remarkable young journalist murdered in Northern Ireland in 2019 after a life fearlessly committed to truth and justice.”
Movingly, the documentary is narrated in the majority by Lyra herself, using voicenotes and dictaphone tapes from her work as a journalist.
Director Alison told Rolling Stone: "It must have taken six weeks to go through all of them. We wanted to take the audience and introduce them to Lyra – a wee girl who grew up in Ardoyne. We wanted the audience to feel the same loss as we did. Our aim with using her voice was to bring her back to life for 60 or 70 minutes. We didn’t want her to be silenced by a bullet. We wanted her to be able to say ‘This is me, this is what I’ve done’ through her written and spoken word. She was the 160th death since the Good Friday Agreement.”
Is there a trailer for Lyra?
There is. Watch a teaser for the documentary, which includes footage and audio from Lyra herself, below:
What has the response to Lyra been?
The documentary has won widespread praise from both critics and viewers, after it was first aired at Belfast and Cork film festivals in 2021, and released in UK and Irish cinemas in November 2022.
One viewer has written on Twitter: “I can't think of a recent documentary that has married art, politics and emotion so successfully and movingly. Lyra and her writing are at the heart of it, reminding us of what a great journalist and human being she was and why she should be remembered.”
When does Lyra air on Channel 4?
Lyra will air on Channel 4 on Saturday 15 April at 9.25pm.
