Ordinary Lives Podcast

This is one of those really inspiring uplifting stories. I met with Peter Lawless on his yacht Waxwing in Kilrush Marina Co.Clare, to find out about his planned solo unassisted  world trip in August 2021, which he hopes to complete in 8 to 9 months. I also got to speak with his brother Dan and daughter Rachel, both of whom I interviewed in the George hotel, Co. Limerick.   What I found most interesting was not so much the trip but Peter Lawless himself.  Free spirited with a zest for life and love of nature who firmly believes in the magic of Dreams and proud of his native American heritage. Life was not all plain sailing for Peter but at last he has found his soul mate and is about to embark on his dream  Voyage, having prepared leaving no stone unturned. Interestingly his father Pat Lawless also sailed around the world and  arrived back in Kilrush Marina in 1996 at the age of 70 after three years of sailing. Peter Lawless a man with an interesting background and love of life, living his dream.   

On Your Doorstep was a demo I did in 2018. The plan was to do a number of episodes touring around the local attractions in Co.Waterford. This episode was recorded in the beautiful seaside town of Ardmore, Co.Waterford.

On a walk in Ballybunion, a small seaside town in North Kerry, I stopped to talk with some people (2 meters away!) to find out how they were feeling about the Covid 19 pandemic. 

  Waterford to Grozovo is a one-hour feature documentary, which traces the history of the charity Chernobyl Aid Ireland from their beginnings to date. Many lives have been bettered through the tireless and selfless work of the charity that for over 20 years has brought Aid to those in need. Through many encounters and interviews with volunteers and the Belarusians they support in the village of Grozovo Belarus, this documentary captures the powerful sense of camaraderie that remains tangible in their work today along with the deep appreciation and love from those they now call friends and family. Waterford to Grozovo is a Mc Carthy Thompson Creative Media production and was funded by the broadcasting authority of Ireland with the television license fee.  

This Documentary tells the story of the changing symbolism of Youghal's National monument The iconic Clock Gate Tower, once seen as a symbol of terror and tyranny and now a beacon of hope for a town where tourism is being accepted as its future. We hear John Mc Graths memories of living in the clock linked with other contributors that help tell the story of the Clocks colourful past from gaol and public gallows to family home and museum to abandonment and now being conserved and reopened to the public.  This programme was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

“We don’t sell chips" is a portrait of contemporary life in Cork city based in David Flynns fast food outlet, The Burger Shack on South Main street in Cork city. This fly on the wall style documentary is a glimpse into the lives of the owner, staff and those that frequent the Burger Shack, capturing an eclectic and evolving time in Irish society through the stories of those that converge in this unique fast food outlet. This Programme was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

   Sal’s Funfair is a  documentary about the journey of Perks Family Funfair Youghal and is an intimate behind the scenes look into the travelling Funfair and the now modern entertainment centres. This documentary is one that encapsulates the life of growing up with the travelling Funfairs in Ireland over the past century and the work involved in keeping the show on the road, with constant reinventing to keep the doors open.  Sal is the centre of this story, her memories, her life, her journey with Perks Funfair, intertwined are her family, staff past and present. This story will tell us of life living in wagons, the great historical funfair rides of old, the days of the ballroom dances at Perks Showboat, A time when this small seaside town was filled with life and Perks Funfair played no small part in ensuring all the fun of the fair was brought to the town.  This is a great piece of history that takes us behind the scenes of the travelling Funfair and the entertainment centres while also allowing us an intimate portrayal of one of Irelands much loved Funfairs told through the experience of it’s hard working owner, which for decades has brought all the fun of the fair to Youghal town. This programme is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Feee.      

Sounds of the Towns is a soundscape of four West Waterford Towns in Ireland, depicting everyday life unfolding from morning through to night. In this episode we listen to the sounds of Ballyduff.  Sounds of the Towns is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence fee.

Sounds of the Towns is a soundscape of four West Waterford Towns in Ireland, depicting everyday life unfolding from morning through to night. In this episode we listen to the sounds of Cappoquin.  Sounds of the Towns is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence fee.

Sounds of the Towns is a soundscape of four West Waterford Towns in Ireland, depicting everyday life unfolding from morning through to night. In this episode we listen to the sounds of Lismore.  Sounds of the Towns is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence fee.

Sounds of the Towns is a soundscape of four West Waterford towns in Ireland, depicting everyday life unfolding from morning through to night. In this episode we listen to the sounds of Tallow.