Family Flowers Only by Grief Ireland

This week I sit down with Gavin Hattie , who shares the story of his beautiful son Connor, who was diagnosed with the extremely rare Krabbe disease and sadly passed away on his first birthday. Gavin speaks about those precious months with Connor and the incredible support his family received from the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation during an unimaginable time. This September, Jack and Jill are asking people across Ireland to Power an Hour , because just €20 can provide one hour of vital in-home nursing care and respite for a family caring for a seriously ill child. This conversation is about Connor, about love and loss, but also about the difference it makes when a family has someone there to help carry them through the hardest days. 💜 If you can, please support Power Hour for Jack and Jill . Every hour really does matter. Donate or get involved here : https://www.jackandjill.ie/power-hour

This week I sit down with Evan Gearns , who shares the heartbreaking story of loosing his brother Andrew to suicide following a struggle with addiction and his mental health. Evan speaks openly about Andrew’s life, the circumstances surrounding his death while in custody, and his family’s difficult search for answers afterwards. He also shares how the loss of his brother changed the course of his own life, leading him down a path of addiction and to an incredibly dark place himself. But this is also a story of recovery and hope. Evan talks about finally reaching out for help, the support that helped him turn his life around, and where he is today, nine months clean and rebuilding his life. A powerful conversation about brotherhood, grief, addiction, survival and finding your way back. CONTENT WARNING & SUPPORT This episode discusses drug addiction, mental health difficulties, suicidal thoughts and suicide. Please listen with care. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or self-harm, Pieta provides a 24-hour crisis service. Call 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 . Samaritans can be contacted free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123 . If you have been bereaved by suicide, HUGG provides dedicated suicide-bereavement support and peer-support groups. Call 01 513 4048 or visit HUGG.ie . For support with drug or alcohol use, the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline is a free and confidential service. Call 1800 459 459 , Monday to Friday, 9.30am–5.30pm. Coolmine provides drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services, including community, day and residential programmes. Visit Coolmine.ie for information about accessing support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 112 or 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.

This week I sit down with Suzanne Byrne , who shares the story of her husband Jay, and the extraordinary 15-year battle with cancer that they faced together. Jay was a singer, and over the years the illness took so much from him, including his voice after having his voice box removed. Suzanne was by his side through it all and she speaks so lovely about their partnership, their love, and what it means to watch someone you love endure so much. We also talk about the end of Jay’s life and the importance of him having a say in how he wanted those final days to look. This is a conversation about love, loss, dignity and a partnership that carried them through the most difficult of times.

This week I sit down with Craig Coady , a father who has faced an extraordinary amount of heartbreak and who is now fighting with everything he has for his son. Craig speaks about his wife Della, who is living with Huntington’s disease and is now in full-time care, and their two boys, Rory and Paudie, who were both diagnosed with the rare and progressive condition Friedreich’s ataxia. Last year, Craig faced the unimaginable when 13-year-old Rory passed away as a result of the disease. Today his 16-year-old son Paudie is living with the same condition, and Craig is campaigning for access in Ireland to Skyclarys , the first treatment for Friedreich’s ataxia, which can slow the progression of the disease. This is a conversation about enormous loss, a father’s love, and a family who have already endured so much but above all, it’s about Craig’s determination to keep fighting for his son and for hope. We mentioned at the end of the conversation that there is a march in Dublin this Sunday August 23rd beginning at 12 noon from the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin to Custom Quay House. If you can at all we would love you to get out and support

This week I sit down with Joe Grogan from Tuam, Co. Galway , to talk about his son Shane and a very different kind of grief, living grief . In 2012, Shane’s life and the lives of his entire family changed in an instant when he was the victim of an unprovoked attack that left him with a severe acquired brain injury. More than a decade later, Shane requires full-time care and is unable to live the independent life that once lay ahead of him. Joe speaks with incredible honesty about loving the son who is still here, while grieving the life that was taken from him, the future, the independence and all of the ordinary moments they thought they would have. It’s a powerful conversation about a kind of grief we perhaps don’t talk about enough, when the person you love is still here but life will never be the same again.

🎧 Podcast Description This week I sit down with Ciara Keegan , who shares the heartbreaking loss of her sister Jessie a young mum of two who died last year from triple-negative breast cancer. Ciara speaks so honestly about the incredibly close bond she shared with Jessie, the love that surrounded her within their family, and the devastating reality of watching someone you love face such an aggressive illness. This is a deeply emotional conversation about sisterhood, family, anticipatory grief, and the profound loss that comes when someone so central to your world is no longer there. 🎧 Podcast Listener Offer Family Flowers Only listeners can get 10% off their first month with BetterHelp : http://betterhelp.com/familyflowers

This week I sit down with Marian Hastings who shares the loss of her husband James to cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) . Marian speaks openly about the devastating reality of a diagnosis with so few treatment options, the fight they faced together, and the heartbreak of knowing there was very little hope. She reflects on the love they shared, the challenges of caring for someone through terminal illness, and the incredible compassion and support they received from hospice care. This is a deeply moving conversation about love, courage, anticipatory grief, and the comfort that compassionate care can bring during life's hardest moments. 🎧 Podcast Listener Offer I've partnered with BetterHelp to offer listeners 10% off their first month of online therapy . 👉 http://betterhelp.com/familyflowers

This week I sit down with Shaunna Briody who shares the devastating loss of her only sibling Ryan in a tragic accident. Ryan was a young mechanic with his whole life ahead of him. Shaunna speaks openly about the trauma of his sudden death, the overwhelming grief that followed, and how it led to severe anxiety and panic attacks. This is an honest conversation about sibling loss, navigating life after sudden bereavement, and finding a way forward after unimaginable heartbreak. ⚠️ Content note: This episode contains discussion of traumatic loss, grief, anxiety, and panic attacks. If this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, support is available: 📞 Samaritans Ireland – 116 123 📱 Text HELLO to 50808 🤍 HUGG – www.hugg.ie 🎧 Podcast Listener Offer I've partnered with BetterHelp to offer listeners 10% off their first month of online therapy . 👉 http://betterhelp.com/familyflowers

This week I sit down with Andrew Hart who lost both of his parents by the age of just 24. Andrew speaks about losing his dad to cancer, before sharing the heartbreaking story of his mum's long struggle with mental health and addiction and her death by suicide. This is an honest conversation about grief, addiction, mental health, and the lasting impact of losing both parents at such a young age. 🎧 Podcast Listener Offer I've partnered with BetterHelp to offer listeners 10% off their first month of online therapy . 👉 http://betterhelp.com/familyflowers Brought to you by https://flowers.ie/ Use "5STAR" for 5 EURO off your order 👍

This week I sit down with Maeve Keegan , who shares the heartbreaking loss of her husband Mark , who died by suicide in 2010. Maeve speaks openly about the complex circumstances surrounding Mark's death. What began as trading gradually became something she now believes was a form of gambling addiction, leaving her to discover the devastating financial reality only after his death. She reflects on the shock of losing her husband, the legal battles that followed, and the lasting impact of grief, trauma, and PTSD. Together, we also discuss suicide, mental health, and the importance of reaching out for support. ⚠️ Content note: This episode contains discussion of suicide, suicidal thoughts, addiction, and mental health. Please take care while listening. Support is available: 📞 Samaritans Ireland – Freephone 116 123 (24 hours a day) 🌐 www.samaritans.org 🤝 HUGG provides support for people bereaved by suicide and those impacted by suicide. You can find out more at www.hugg.ie . You can find Maeve on Instagram @sanara_psychotherapy and @widowed_young_ireland And her email is maevekeeganpsychotherapy@gmail.com 🎧 Podcast Listener Offer I've partnered with BetterHelp to offer listeners 10% off your first month of online therapy . To claim your discount, please use the link below (the discount is automatically applied when you sign up through the link) BetterHelp.com/familyflowers

This week, I sit down with Claire Harrison , who shares the heartbreaking loss of her niece Lucy Harrison , who was killed by her father, Claires brother. Claire and Lucy were incredibly close, with only a couple of years between them, and Claire speaks so openly about the deep bond they shared. She reflects on the unimaginable reality of grieving her beloved niece while also trying to process the fact that the person responsible was her own brother. This is a profoundly emotional conversation about love, family, grief, and the complex emotions that can exist when tragedy strikes within a family. Claire speaks with remarkable honesty and courage, offering a powerful insight into a type of grief that is rarely spoken about.

This week, I sit down with Ronan Cullen who shares the devastating and very recent loss of his beloved wife Claire . Claire was in the Dominican Republic for her brother's wedding when she was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident. In this deeply emotional conversation Ronan speaks about the unimaginable shock of receiving that phone call, the raw reality of grief in its earliest stages, and learning to navigate life without the person he thought he would grow old with. We also talk about parenting their young child through such profound loss, the challenges of carrying your own grief while trying to support your child, and the moments of love, humour, and connection that still find their way through the heartbreak. This is a conversation about soulmates, sudden loss, resilience, and the extraordinary strength it takes to keep putting one foot in front of the other when life changes in an instant.

This week I sit down with Sinéad Hall who shares the heartbreaking loss of her baby son Ruadhán (Ruadh) . In a deeply emotional conversation Sinéad speaks openly about the devastation of losing a child, the love she has for her son, and the profound grief that comes with carrying a loss so unimaginable. With incredible honesty and vulnerability she shares what life has looked like since Ruadh's death, the reality of navigating each day without him, and the enduring bond between a mother and her child. This is a deeply moving conversation about motherhood, love, loss, and the grief that exists because that love was so great. For more information on their foundation visit https://www.teachruadhfoundation.ie/

Something a little bit different now. I want to share a gentle, deeply comforting new resource with you all. We know that for so many carrying the weight of loss, the hardest part of the day comes when the rest of the world goes completely quiet. In those late-night hours, sleep can feel entirely out of reach as thoughts begin to crowd in. If you find it difficult nodding off, or just want to relax to the ambient sounds of some of Ireland's most scenic spots, I want to guide you toward GoLoud's latest original stream— GoLoud Sleep Sounds. This beautifully minded series is a calming collection of immersive 10-hour soundscapes, carefully tailored for anyone looking for a calmer bedtime routine. The long-form, uninterrupted audio is designed specifically to create a soothing, safe environment that can be played through the night or as a comforting backdrop during moments of rest and relaxation. There is no talking, no narrative stories to engage your mind, and absolutely no advertisements to disrupt you. Instead, Sleep Sounds gently transports you away from your worries to peaceful settings across the country—from Curracloe Beach in spring and Howth Harbour at sunset, to the Midlands on a stormy night, the Wicklow Mountains in winter, and the quiet stillness of Dublin after dark. It provides a steady acoustic sanctuary so you can finally switch off your mind and rest. GoLoud Sleep Sounds is available now on the GoLoud app or wherever you get your podcasts. Simply press play, put the phone down, and let it do the rest. Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/show/033wsfw3b3SrnBby4xyZhf?si=bc54786895cf410e

This week I sit down with Andrea Gilligan , well-known broadcaster and host of Lunchtime Live on Newstalk for a deeply personal conversation about the loss of her dad Gerry. Andrea speaks about the incredibly close bond they shared, not just as father and daughter, but as genuine friends. She reflects on his cancer diagnosis, the heartbreak of losing him, and the profound impact his death had on her life. With honesty, and her trademark openness, Andrea shares what grief has taught her, the ways her dad passing has changed her and the reality of learning to live without someone who was such a huge part of her world. This is a heartfelt conversation about parent loss, love, friendship, and the enduring connection that remains after someone is gone.

This week, I sit down with Elliot Gannon , who shares the life and loss of his son Rí , who was born with SMA Type 1 (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) . Elliot speaks about the long and complex journey that followed Rí's diagnosis, the hospital stays, medical challenges, uncertainty, and the precious time they had together as a family. But at the heart of this conversation is not just loss, but love. He speaks beautifully about the extraordinary gift Rí brought to his life, the lessons he taught him, and how his son completely changed his understanding of what truly matters. Elliot reflects on grief not as something to be feared, but as something precious, a reflection of deep love and connection. This is a powerful conversation about parenthood, perspective, love, loss, and finding meaning in the most difficult circumstances.

This week I sit down with Hannah Kelly , who shares the loss of her mum and the complex grief that surrounded their relationship. For much of Hannah’s life it was just the two of them. Her father left when she was very young, and she and her mum navigated life side by side. But as the years went on their relationship became more complicated. Hannah speaks openly about her mum becoming increasingly isolated, the strain that put on their connection, and the difficult reality of grieving parts of that relationship while her mum was still alive. When her mum later died suddenly from a heart attack, Hannah was left carrying not only the grief of losing her, but also the grief of everything that had happened before. This is a deeply honest conversation about complicated relationships, anticipatory grief, love, and the reality that grief is not always straightforward. Hannah shares her story with remarkable openness and vulnerability offering comfort to anyone navigating the loss of a parent where the relationship wasn't perfect, but the love was still there. To donate to our fundraiser please visit here https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/15491/5km-a-day-for-may-for-graham-lee/

This week I sit down with Patrick Maloney from Kerry for a conversation that explores loss in a very different way. While we still speak deeply about grief, this episode moves beyond bereavement and into the loss of identity, the years lost to addiction, and the impact that struggle can have on relationships, family, and self-worth. Patrick speaks openly about his experiences as a young man battling addiction, and the painful distance it created between himself and his son. This is a deeply honest and moving conversation about shame, recovery, healing, and what it means to try and rebuild a life after losing so much of yourself along the way. Patrick’s story offers powerful insight into addiction, vulnerability, and the importance of compassion both for ourselves and for others who may be struggling quietly.

This week I sit down with Paula Naughton from Roscommon, mum to three boys Archie, George, and Isaac . All three were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD , a life-limiting illness with no cure. Sadly Paula lost her son Archie at just 16 years old. George and Isaac, now also 16, continue to live with the condition as their family fights tirelessly for access to emerging treatments and trials. In this deeply moving conversation, Paula speaks about grief in all its forms, the loss of Archie, the heartbreak of watching your children lose their health, and the reality of living with anticipatory grief while still trying to hold hope. Paula speaks with incredible honesty, strength, and insight about motherhood, resilience, advocacy, and the unimaginable balancing act of loving fiercely while living with uncertainty every day. To learn more about DMD and support the family’s campaign, visit: 🌐 www.joinourboys.org You can also follow their journey on social media: 📱 Instagram: @joinourboys_ 📘 Facebook: Join Our Boys

This week I sit down with Kathleen Barrett who shares the sudden loss of her husband Ned , who died unexpectedly at home. Kathleen and Ned had been together since they were very young, sharing almost 40 years of love, life, and a beautiful family together. In this deeply moving conversation, Kathleen speaks not only about the heartbreak of loosing him, but also about the enduring connection she still feels with him every day. Her main message is one of love beyond loss, that while grief has changed over time, she no longer feels consumed by deep sadness because she has a complete certainty that Ned is still with her in different ways. Kathleen speaks beautifully about signs, connection, and the comfort she has found in believing that love does not end when someone dies. For more information about the Spousal Loss Retreat we mentioned towards the end please visit www.griefireland.com