Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Alamy
family folklore

Mayor invites Taylor Swift to visit Derry and trace her Northern Irish ancestry

It is believed that Swift’s great-great-great-grandparents hailed from Derry.

AMERICAN MUSICIAN TAYLOR Swift has been invited to come to Derry, where it was recently discovered she has a distant connection.

The invitation was extended by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Lilian Seenoi Barr.

She said on X: “Today I wrote to [Taylor Swift] to ask her to come and visit Derry during her trip to Ireland!

“We are proud to call Taylor a Derry Girl and are hugely excited to extend this invitation to her to help her trace her ancestral journey.

“C’mon let’s see if we can make this happen!”

This week it was revealed by EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, that the country-pop singing-songwriting sensation has some Irish roots.

It said 172 years ago, on 11 June 1836, two people emigrated from Derry to the United States on board the ship AMY.

These were dressmaker Susan Davis and weaver Francis Gwynn, who were both 21-years-old at the time.

Three years later they married and had children.

The pair are Swift’s great-great-great-grandparents.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
27
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel