Erin Quinn

**Erin Josephine Pussy Quinn** is the main protagonist in Derry Girls. The story is central to her and her best friends Michelle Mallon, James Maguire and Clare Devlin and her cousin Orla.

## History

Erin lives in the Bogside in Derry with her mother Mary, her father Gerry and her grandfather Joe, during the final years of the Troubles. Her cousin Orla and her aunt Sarah live next door to them. (However, they both spend the majority of their time in Erin’s house). Erin attends Our Lady Immaculate College.

Erin has grand ambitions to become a famous writer and has serious ideas above her station. She considers herself to be very liberal and worldly; in reality, she's quite easily shocked and has never ventured further than Buncrana (a popular holiday destination).

## Personality

Erin describes herself as creative, favors writing, and keeps a diary. She thinks of herself as a deep and liberal individual. She can become awkward in some situations, especially those that involve boys. She is a caring person but can be a bit highly strung. Erin can occasionally appear narcissistic interpreting situations from only her point of view. This sometimes impacts her personal relationships, periodically.

She is very goal-driven. In terms of musical taste she is a fan of English pop bands Take That and the Spice Girls, having attended a concert of the former and dressed up as Geri Halliwell (and performed *Who Do You Think You Are?*) of the latter.

## Relationships

### Romantic

#### David Donnelly

She had a crush on David Donnelly and would embarrass herself when he was around, until S1E4 when it's shown that her interest has shifted as she ignores David in search of James.

#### Dee

She flirted with Dee, but her interest wasn't reciprocated.

#### James Maguire

She attended the prom with James Maguire after her original date, John Paul O'Reilly, didn't show. It is believed that Erin has a romantic crush on James although this has not been confirmed by the characters in the show Lisa McGee states that the two individuals do have romantic feelings for each other. In S3E4, Erin kisses James after the latter declared his feelings for her, though they were interrupted by Michelle. They decide not to pursue a romantic relationship so as not to risk the friendships within the group. However, James tells Erin he "can wait", implying that they will eventually get together. Although they are not seen officially together in the series finale, creator Lisa McGee confirmed in a Q&A session that in her mind they do end up together 'way in the future, in their thirties maybe'

### Family

#### Orla McCool

Erin and Orla are first cousins.

Her mother is Mary Quinn and her father is Gerry Quinn. She has a younger sister called Anna Quinn.

Her aunt is Sarah McCool.

Her maternal grandfather is Joe McCool.

### Friendships

Erin's friendships are James Maguire, Michelle Mallon, Clare Devlin and her cousin, Orla McCool.

## Notes and Trivia

* The actress who plays her is a native of Derry herself.
* There is a mural of the "Derry Girls" in the city of Derry which features Saoirse as Erin.
* Erin seemed to be a bit homophobic when her friend, Clare, came out to her as a lesbian at the end of Series 1, but she soon accepts it and from Series 2 on, her and the other Derry girls can be seen wearing rainbow badges as support for Clare.

## Memorable Quotes

As if a polar bear's going to rock up at a Take That concert.

Is that my diary?

They don't have people from Derry on Baywatch; we're just too pasty.

I'm "a" racist patronizing bitch.

I don’t think interfering with your sun-bed session is very high on anyone’s political agenda, aunt Sarah.

You look very... booby.

Who owns the fella?

And if our dreams get broken along the way, we have to make new ones from the pieces