Northern Ireland

Remembering Margaret McCallion: Derry’s ‘wee pigeon woman’ was a lady and true legend

Funeral heard that if the world had more like Margaret, it would be a far better place

Derry woman Margaret McCallion silhouetted in the morning sunshine while feeding pigeons in the Bishop Street area of the city a few years ago. A task she undertook with much pride and kindness every day for many years. She walked the Derry streets with her little trolly full of bread, followed by flocks of wild pigeons that had been patiently waiting to catch sight of her every morning. Margaret from the Lecky Road area in Derry passed away earlier this week in Derry. Pictures Margaret McLaughlin 30-5-2024 / 2014
Derry woman Margaret McCallion feeds pigeons in the Bishop Street area of the city a few years ago. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
By Seamus McKinney

Born under the shadow of St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Margaret McCallion was a true Derry legend.

From the Bogside’s Lecky Road, she passed away at Seymour House residential home in the city’s Waterside on May 29.

Margaret was every inch a lady. She was “beautiful, kind and caring”, mourners at her funeral Mass at St Columba’s were told.

Hers was a life well lived. She was loved in her home town, becoming part of the very fabric of the city centre, where she became known as the “wee pigeon woman”.

Each day Margaret could be seen around Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place, feeding the pigeons and stopping to talk to passers-by and, in particular, local children.

Derry woman Margaret McCallion silhouetted in the morning sunshine while feeding pigeons in the Bishop Street area of the city a few years ago. A task she undertook with much pride and kindness every day for many years. She walked the Derry streets with her little trolly full of bread, followed by flocks of wild pigeons that had been patiently waiting to catch sight of her every morning. Margaret from the Lecky Road area in Derry passed away earlier this week in Derry. Pictures Margaret McLaughlin 30-5-2024 / 2014
Warm tributes have been paid to Derry's 'wee pigeon woman' Margaret McCallion (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

In the days following her passing, social media was flooded with tributes from the many who knew her simply through her acts of kindness to the birds and to local people.

SDLP assembly member Mark H Durkan said she was simply a “gem”.

He said: “Margaret had a special place in the hearts of so many, her radiation of kindness tangible even to those who never had the pleasure of a conversation with her. I think a lot of us saw something in her that epitomised the spirit of the city that she loved so well.”

Margaret was known by everyone as the "wee pigeon woman".
Margaret was known as the "wee pigeon woman"

Margaret worked as a cleaner at a number of businesses in the city, including Frank Long’s store, Argos and the Welsh Margetson shirt factory in the city centre, among other firms.

She had a strong faith and was devoted to her wider family and friends.

She also had a great sense of fun. She won the May Queen competition at the Gasyard Festival in the Bogside as well as its Easter Bonnet competition.

The Derry woman loved dancing and the music of Daniel O’Donnell and became a regular at the mayor’s tea dances in the city’s Guildhall.

Derry woman Margaret McCallion silhouetted in the morning sunshine while feeding pigeons in the Bishop Street area of the city a few years ago. A task she undertook with much pride and kindness every day for many years. She walked the Derry streets with her little trolly full of bread, followed by flocks of wild pigeons that had been patiently waiting to catch sight of her every morning. Margaret from the Lecky Road area in Derry passed away earlier this week in Derry. Pictures Margaret McLaughlin 30-5-2024 / 2014
Margaret McCallion silhouetted in the morning sunshine while feeding pigeons in the Bishop Street area of the city. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

At her funeral, Fr Gerard Mongan said Margaret was kind to everyone. Known as the woman who fed the pigeons, she also kept a store of dolls and teddy bears to give to children in the city centre.

“Her beautiful, kind and caring soul radiated the love of God,” the priest said.

Fr Mongan said Margaret was an example of how small acts of kindness mattered. She saw pigeons as creatures to be cared for and loved and encouraged others to join her in caring for them, often giving food to children so they too could help the birds.

If the world had more like Margaret, it would be a far better place

—  Fr Gerard Mongan

“We can safely say that if the world had more like Margaret, it would be a far better place,” he said.

“Of all the tributes that have been paid to Margaret over the last few days on social media, I believe this one stands out: ‘Margaret is proof that less is more and real beauty only lives, survives and thrives in the heart’.

“Sleep in peace, beautiful Derry legend.”

Following Requiem Mass on Saturday June 1, Margaret was laid to rest at Derry city cemetery.

Derry woman Margaret McCallion silhouetted in the morning sunshine while feeding pigeons in the Bishop Street area of the city a few years ago. A task she undertook with much pride and kindness every day for many years. She walked the Derry streets with her little trolly full of bread, followed by flocks of wild pigeons that had been patiently waiting to catch sight of her every morning. Margaret from the Lecky Road area in Derry passed away earlier this week in Derry. Pictures Margaret McLaughlin 30-5-2024 / 2014
Margaret McCallion walked the Derry streets with her little trolley full of bread, followed by flocks of wild pigeons that had been patiently waiting to catch sight of her every morning. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )