Jewellery maker identifies woman from 1960s factory photo

A woman named Una Carlin has successfully tracked down a woman from an old photograph, after a six-decade search. Carlin is a jewelry maker based in Londonderry, and she found the photo while researching for a collection honoring the city's factory workers. The photograph, taken in the early 1960s, features Margaret McCourt, who is now 86 years old. Carlin discovered McCourt's identity after posting on social media and speaking with former factory workers in Derry. McCourt's daughter, Yvonne Lecky, expressed her mother’s surprise about the renewed interest in the photo. Carlin described the photo as her inspiration. It shows McCourt, then known as Ms. Olphert, operating a sewing machine alongside her colleagues. Derry was known for its significant shirt production during the 20th century, and its female workers played a crucial role in the industry. Carlin expressed joy in finding McCourt, who was well-liked and admired for her elegance at the factory. She plans to meet McCourt soon and present her with a brooch inspired by the photo. The image has also been added to a storyboard dedicated to Factory Girls in Derry's city center. Clare Moore, a former coworker of McCourt, noted that many women in the factory looked up to her. Moore had previously tried to locate McCourt and had a brief reunion in 2013. They recently reconnected at an event for International Women’s Day. Derry’s shirt-making industry once thrived, with thousands of workers employed. However, it has significantly declined in recent years due to global competition.