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Just as there are darkened seasons in human history—times when the structures sustaining civilization collapse in on themselves and humanity finds itself stiff-fisted, grasping at brittle branches, slipping between worlds—so too is every individual subject to phases of undoing in the metamorphosis of a lifetime.Entering the chrysalis is rarely a matter of choice. We would resist if we could. One morning, we awaken with a pit in the stomach, a visceral unease that signals change even before we can name its source. Quite all of a sudden, we find we have entered a dream with no solid ground and no turning back. Loss feels imminent, along with the uncertainty of what comes next or how we will get there. We try to keep moving, mistaking busyness for control of circumstance. We hoist the blueprints of our former lives above our heads to keep them dry, trying to shore up what is already dissolving.We try very hard, as all creatures do, not to die. Yet for the caterpillar, entering the chrysalis is a form of programmed death—a gruesome act of self-digestion. What can the larva comprehend of its own metamorphosis as it surrenders to darkness and enzymatic dissolution? Before it can be reconstituted, the caterpillar's whole body must pupate—which is to say liquify. Epithelial cells breaking down, muscles and mandibles lysed by their own enzymes, the entire body reduced to a nutrient slurry.Every winter, nature takes this serious turn. Fallen leaves coil in on themselves, roots retreat, seeds release, and stillness wraps the living world. Here's orientation from a recent column in our cherished local magazine, the Santa Fe New Mexican —“In winter, our arid steppe climate shows us the value of leaving things alone. Grasses left standing become shelter. Seed heads become sustenance. Evergreen shrubs offer cover from wind and predators when the world feels most exposed. What looks untidy to us is, in fact, a carefully balanced system of protection and patience. The garden does not ask us to fix it in January—only to witness it.”The winter gardener knows not to try to fix such depression, but instead to witness and accompany the world beyond control. For the winter gardener recognizes the fallows as sanctuary, the outer casings of seed heads and pale grasses as fortresses of transformation, and death as a passage between birthing seasons. This is the winter gardener's regenerative faith.Similarly, with respect to human development, Jungian analyst and author Marion Woodman called the chrysalis “a twilight between past, present, and future,” a place where the psyche must “tolerate annihilation—just long enough for the new form to begin assembling itself.” She described the sojourn of life as a series of “border crossings between what we were and what we cannot yet imagine.”For the caterpillar, the dream of the butterfly is carried by imaginal cells—tiny, sac-like clusters that, through the primordial twilight of metamorphosis, give rise at last to compound eyes, scaled wings—a new and elegant anatomy. This is how a creature built for crawling holds within its body the imagination of flight.In his 1910 Oxford lecture, The Birth of Humility, anthropologist Robert Ranulph Marett described metamorphic thresholds as “psycho-physical,” when body and mind falter so that “latent energies [may] gather strength for activity on a fresh plane.”The most courageous way we can enter the chrysalis is with attunement. “Pause,” Marett wrote, “is the necessary condition of the development of all those higher purposes which make up the rational being.” James Baldwin attested that the darkest hour can “force a reconciliation between oneself and all one's pain and error.” We cannot will ourselves to grow, for transformation is an act of presence, not power. But within the privacy of our consciousness, with patience and attention, we can rediscover the forces shaping our evolution and develop faith in what is becoming.In Jungian terms, the collective mirrors the individual psyche: what deconstructs in the outer world—painfully, though necessarily—reflects what must be reimagined from within. Today, democratic principles and ecological balance are slipping from their axes. But, as Marett observed, “Not until the days of this period of chrysalis life have been painfully accomplished can [a person] emerge a new and glorified creature.”Some silent, imaginal knowledge within us already knows the way. Here in the high desert, the earliest bloomers will soon appear: proof that the intelligence of life has been preparing the ground, all along, for the resurrection of some new and common beauty.Together, we're making sense of what it means to be human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House.+ Join next month's yoga & meditation class on Thursday, Mar 12, at 9 am MT / 11 am ET. A replay will be shared via email shortly thereafter.+ Find me at YogaSource in Santa Fe every Wednesday morning, 9-10:15 am MT / 11 am-12:15 pm ET for Dynamic Practice. This class is fully analog—live and in person. Register through the studio here.+ I'll be returning to two beloved places to offer retreats with friends in the coming year: Beyul Retreat, in the pristine wilderness surrounding Aspen, Colorado, May 21-25, 2026, with Wendelin Scott; AND world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland, Sept 20-26, 2026, with Erin Doerwald. Each retreat will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated outings—plus rest, nurturance, and imagination. Just a few spots left. Check out all the details here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe
Oliver is joined in studio by Mick Meade. For 20 years, he has been working as a custodian of six cemeteries in County Cork.
Innovation in medical technology (MedTech) has always been driven by curiosity, creativity and the pursuit of better patient outcomes. Today, however, the pace of change is accelerating, and technology is no longer simply supporting innovation in MedTech – it is helping power it. As populations age and chronic diseases become more prevalent, the demands on those working in healthcare will intensify. Clinicians and patients alike are seeking innovative solutions that offer increased levels of precision, faster recovery times and more personalised care. Meeting these expectations requires more than leadership and talent alone; it demands new ways of thinking and new tools to drive progress. Technology has emerged as one of the most powerful catalysts of change. Advances in engineering and manufacturing are fuelling a new wave of innovation and new ways of designing and delivering medical solutions. By enabling smarter healthcare solutions, we can assist clinicians worldwide to deliver better outcomes for patients and ultimately improve lives. Digital technology transforming care Up until recent years, MedTech innovation has relied on incremental improvements, such as the enhanced surgical instruments and more precise implants. While these remain critical, companies across the sector, including Stryker, are leveraging technology to reshape what is possible. Across the industry, we are seeing firsthand how engineering is transforming not just medical devices, but patient care, hospital workflows and the future of health itself. Robotics, for example, is no longer a futuristic concept. They are integral to operating rooms worldwide, enabling minimally invasive procedures and providing surgeons with precision and control. Likewise, AI is changing how clinicians approach patient care by improving the speed and accuracy of diagnostics. The engineering behind these systems is incredibly complex, yet it is designed with one goal in mind – to improve patients' lives. Innovation is not without its challenges. Engineering cutting-edge solutions demands rigorous testing and close collaboration across industry and practice. As a leader in MedTech innovation in Ireland for over 27 years, Stryker views these challenges as opportunities to push boundaries in a thoughtful and considered way. A new era of MedTech manufacturing Advanced manufacturing is redefining how MedTech companies design, build and deliver solutions to clinicians and patients. Technologies such as additive manufacturing and 3D printing are enabling levels of precision, consistency and customisation that were once not possible. These technologies allow for faster development cycles, enabling us to move from concept to production in days or weeks rather than months. They also support more personalised solutions, such as patient-specific implants and surgical instruments. Ultimately, advanced manufacturing is more than a production method; it is a medium for increased innovation, helping us to respond to clinical challenges faster and improve solutions that support better patient care. Stryker has been a pioneer in the field of advanced manufacturing, and we are particularly proud of the progress we have made in the field of 3D printing. Stryker's AMagine Institute at our Anngrove site in County Cork is home to one of the world's largest and most advanced 3D printing facilities and a key hub in a global network. Equally important is inspiring the next generation of MedTech innovators. That's why we're proud to collaborate with I-Form, Research Ireland's Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, on the 'Manufacturing a Healthy Future' programme, which introduces students to 3D printing at an early stage and has seen more than 2,000 students participate since its launch in 2021. Accelerating innovation One of the most important and exciting technological advancements in recent years is digital twins. More than a simple simulation, digital twins create precise virtual replicas of patie...
Join Margaret from County Cork on Sow and Grow as she celebrates the beauty of the garden in late January. This week, discover the fragrant delights of gorse (ulex), winter honeysuckle, and Garia elliptica, along with practical tips for growing primroses successfully. Margaret also shares seasonal wisdom on seed storage, soil care, and bringing color […] L'articolo Sow and Grow – Practical Tips on Seed and Soil Care – Margaret Griffin proviene da Radio Maria.
Join Margaret from County Cork for practical tips and inspiration for your winter garden. This week, we explore starting Sweet Peas indoors, caring for root vegetables, and appreciating the beauty of nature's cycles—all with gratitude for God's creation. L'articolo Sow and Grow – January Gardening – Margaret Griffin proviene da Radio Maria.
On Jan. 2nd, we broadcast a special edition of Mooney Goes Wild from Harper's Island Wetlands Nature Reserve in County Cork, where Derek, Jim Wilson, Niall Hatch and Decland Murphy took a close-up look at the remarkable world of wintering wetland birds. It was filmed by Donal Glackin, and you can watch it here https://tinyurl.com/4uza4h65.
Frances Murphy is a candlemaker originally from Bere Island in West Cork. She is an aromatherapist and reflexologist who has developed her own range of sustainable candles.
You're invited next September 20-26, 2026, to The Tender Harvest, a week-long retreat amidst the golden hues and organic bounty of the world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. Each day will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated excursions—plus ample time for rest, self-nurturance, and imagination.__I awake to the murmur of a boy speaking to his slumbering father. All night long, the darkening stillness of December had settled over the house, and, as usual, our son had scampered down the hall just before dawn, burrowed under a breathing mound of blankets, and reached toward whichever one of us was nearest. “I love you so much,” I hear my child sigh as he tucks himself beneath the warm weight of his father's arm.I have no language to measure such a moment, ordinary though it may seem. I have only an attention born of it, a residue of tenderness reminding me that somehow –however improbable, fleeting, and marvelous – we are here together, and here at all.Later, diagonal rays of winter sunlight beam across the sky, a fact bright enough to leave an afterimage seared on the inside of my eyelids. Of this event, too, I keep only what impression remains: a momentary flash that lingers and softens.Which brings me to the medicine of tenderness—our capacity not just to intellectualize or conceptualize, but to feel the invisible textures of this living world. The word “tender” shares its etymological parent, the Latin word tendere–meaning “to extend outward or upward, to stretch toward or hold out, to offer; to direct toward, to aim toward”–with the verb “to tend,” in the sense of caring for, but also with “intention,” “attention,” and “tenders,” the small boats that carry people or goods from larger vessels to shore.A thruline here links the practices of intention and attention, guiding our consciousness toward what we care about, with a whole-bodied suppleness of presence. The metaphor of tender boats bridges the mutual nature of tenderness. How can one person's practice of tenderness bring another to shore in a gradual and reciprocal softening of nervous systems? How is it that when one person rests with awareness in the tender weight of their body, heart, and mind, it can signal to another that their bruises are safe from further harm?Ezra Klein recently shared an interview with Patti Smith, the iconic musician, writer, and visual artist—sometimes called the “godmother of punk”—who rejects those labels wholesale. With a shrug that suggests the humbler, deeper values of her practice, she says, “call me a worker.” I love her for that.Many moments resonate in their conversation, but none so much as when she likens a good poem to a teardrop: “If you're thirsty and you get that drop of water, it suddenly becomes the most welcome thing in the world.” My mind catches on what kind of thirst—what invisible needfulness—a good poem can satisfy. This is not the thirst of the yarrow or migrating whitethroat, not even the thirst of the bear in autumn. It seems a uniquely human thirst that calls out for the sincerity of real art.On the subject of death and spiritual thirst, Mary Oliver wrote: “Who knows what will finally happen or where I will be sent, yet already I have given a great many things away, expecting to be told to pack nothing, except the prayers which, with this thirst, I am slowly learning.”I believe this kind of thirst, of the nature of wanting to understand and be nourished by the mystery of our existence—by the grace of what it means that we are alive and able to wonder at the circumstances of our aliveness—dwells somewhere beneath the surface of every human being. This thirst lives in the unseen currents of heartache, uncertainty, and longing that flow like water beneath a frozen river.According to fellow poet Jane Hirshfield, Galway Kinnell once called “Tenderness” “the secret title of every good poem.” That line, for me, speaks to the particular mechanism within poetry that can meet such thirst. Tenderness is the dynamic tension between bearing witness to our shared fragility and strengthening our capacity for wholehearted presence and connection with ourselves and each other. It is the alchemy of kindness that can distill cold facts into feelings, thaw a hardened heart, and show us how we're not alone. Like a teardrop, a gesture of tenderness can be small and exact, yet it can quench us with vital sustenance and healing.Strangely, the image of a teardrop has seeped into my morning practice like a quiet teaching. As I reach for some nearby poem, my mind skidding over the uneven terrain of the hours ahead, I pause to take a breath, and it occurs to me: I can carry a teardrop inside this day. Most authentic mindfulness practices seem strange to the outer gaze, but their effectiveness lies in the specificity and earnestness with which we orient toward them. So, here it is: a useful practice, an invisible resource to mind my life. One way I am learning to soften.__+ Join me every month for movement + meditation exclusively for paid supporters of The Guest House. Our next practice will be live on Thursday, December 18, at 9 am MT / 11 am ET, and will be shared via replay soon thereafter.+ Back to a regular studio class! Join me at YogaSource in Santa Fe every Wednesday morning, 9-10:15 am MT / 11 am-12:15 pm ET for Dynamic Practice. This class is live and not recorded. Join in-person or virtually from home. Register directly through the studio here.+ Two deeply envisioned retreats in the year to come: first at Beyul Retreat in the pristine wilderness surrounding Aspen, Colorado, for an extended Memorial Day weekend, May 21-25, 2026; then at world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland, September 20-26, 2026. All the details here.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of the Wander Your Way Travel Podcast, Lynne sits down with author Kat Koch to dive into the magic, mystery, and everyday beauty of West Cork, Ireland — the place that inspired her memoir, Rainbow Weather: Stories from a Beautiful Nowhere.Kat shares how a childhood dream, sparked by a piece of film music, eventually pulled her across the Atlantic and into the rugged, soul-stirring landscapes of West Cork. She spent four and a half years living there, following her intuition, navigating challenges, and discovering the serendipitous moments that shaped both her book and her personal journey.Together, Lynne and Kat chat about the warmth of the West Cork community, the power of traveling with an open heart, and how letting curiosity lead the way can create the most unexpected connections. Kat reflects on how the Irish countryside — its coastline, its quiet, its raw beauty — changed her, grounded her, and helped her integrate the highs and lows of living abroad.If you're dreaming of Ireland or searching for a destination rich with culture, scenery, and soul, this conversation delivers plenty of inspiration. Kat leaves listeners with thoughtful travel wisdom and her favorite hidden gems across West Cork — the kind of places that make you want to pack a bag and chase a little “rainbow weather” of your own.Want to chat more about West Cork?Email Lynne — Lynne@WanderYourWay.comIn this episode:1:19: Intro + Kat Koch bio5:20: Placing West Cork Ireland on the map5:45: Kat's story12:07: Writing a book15:19: Challenges & perks23:43: Ending a chapter26:49: Favorite places39:07: Standout stories45:12: More popular places54:08: Final thoughts1:02:33: My final thoughts on Kat's book1:04:39: Wrapping it upImportant links: Rainbow Weather: Stories From a Beautiful Nowhere by Kat KochRainbow Weather InstagramWest Cork IrelandThe Best Things to Do in Schull and West Cork Ireland Tracy's List (Solo Traveler)West Cork (Ireland tourism)Wander Your Way ResourcesWander Your Way AdventuresWander Your Way ★ Support this podcast ★
With decades of leadership in technology and innovation, Ann Kelleher shares practical strategies for navigating challenging environments, leveraging culture, and building lasting impact whether in global organisations or local communities. From lessons learned growing up on a farm in County Cork to turning around high-stakes operations at Intel, Ann Kelleher delivers actionable wisdom for anyone seeking growth through adversity and going the road less travelled.Join us to explore:Why resilience is a learnable leadership skillThe “Emotional bank account” Risk-taking for career growth and innovationLeading high-stakes change through peopleReverse engineering team performance and cultureBeing a good neighbour The Leadership in Business Series is presented by Live Unbound, a global leader in high-performance coaching, team effectiveness, and culture transformation.Please email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It's a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Join Margaret from County Cork as she reflects on the beauty and resilience of nature, explores the differences between winter and spring frost, and shares practical tips for protecting your garden during colder months. From winter tarwash for fruit trees and roses to safeguarding early-sprouting bulbs, learn how to care for your plants while deepening […] L'articolo Sow and Grow – Protecting Gardens During Winter – Margaret Griffin proviene da Radio Maria.
Welcome to this week's edition of the Eurovision Showcase on Forest FM, hosted by Ciaran Urry-Tuttiett. On today's show, we featured brand new music from Liverpool as Eurovision legend Sonia returns with her latest album, “Love Train (Remixed)”. We played her brilliant, funk-filled cover of the Jackson 5 classic “Let Me Show You The Way To Go (Matt Pop Mix)”, guaranteed to get you moving. Sonia famously represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 in Millstreet, County Cork, finishing in second place with “Better The Devil You Know” — just a few points behind the winning entry for Ireland. Also included in today's episode: Rob's Random Request, Live & Kicking, The Best of the Rest, and the latest Eurovision Showcase News in partnership with eurovoix.com. If you enjoyed this show, make sure you subscribe and follow the Eurovision Showcase for more music, memories, and the latest from the world of Eurovision. Visit www.escshowcase.com for more information, and we'll see you again next time on Forest FM!
Stephen McDonnell sits down with John Gilley, CEO of Kent, for a raw and inspiring look at leadership and building a culture that scales. From his roots in Cobh, County Cork, to leading billion-dollar projects across Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, John reflects on how Irish values, family influence, and a relentless drive for growth shaped his journey.He opens up about leading through the chaos of COVID, the loneliness of the CEO role, and the tough lessons learned through Kent's major acquisitions and cultural transformation. Packed with humility and real-world insight, John shares how to create belonging in fast-growing teams, empower people to lead, and stay grounded while driving global success.Join us to explore:Leading through loneliness (the unseen side of being CEO)Why culture comes before strategy in every great businessEmpowering teams by letting go of controlBuilding psychological safety that drives real performanceBalancing ambition with family, values, and wellbeingThe Leadership in Business Series is presented by Live Unbound, a global leader in high-performance coaching, team effectiveness, and culture transformation.Please email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It's a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced Fastnet, a new state-of-the-art transatlantic subsea fibre optic cable system connecting Maryland, U.S., and County Cork, Ireland. When operational in 2028, Fastnet will add vital diversity for customers by building a new data pathway with unique landing points, keeping services running even if other undersea cables encounter issues. This enhanced network resilience will improve global connectivity and meet rising demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Increasing resilience through system diversity Fastnet is a dedicated transatlantic cable system designed with two strategic landing points that deliver critical route diversity away from traditional cable corridors. This strategic placement strengthens the network in two ways: it provides backup routes if other cables encounter issues, and it creates a network design for growing demands in cloud computing, AI, and edge applications that use AWS services such as Amazon CloudFront and AWS Global Accelerator. The Fastnet system incorporates advanced optical switching branching unit technology, engineered to accommodate future topology needs. This state-of-the-art unit is strategically positioned on the cable route, enabling seamless redirection of data to future landing points as network demands evolve. This scalable architecture is specifically designed to handle growing AI traffic loads, allowing customers to rapidly expand their data demands while the system adapts to accommodate future growth. Fastnet is designed for long-term reliability and performance. The system combines robust cable armoring with additional layers of protective steel wires in nearshore areas to protect against natural and human activity. With a design capacity exceeding 320 terabits per second (Tbps), Fastnet will integrate directly into AWS's comprehensive global network. To put this capacity in perspective, the system could transmit the entire digitized Library of Congress three times every second, or stream 12.5 million HD films simultaneously. This integration enables rapid data rerouting and multiple layers of redundancy, helping ensure uninterrupted operations for customers. Unlike the public internet, where each networking device makes routing decisions with limited network visibility, AWS's centralized, real-time traffic monitoring system has complete visibility into every link within the global network. This system implements millions of daily optimizations to ensure customer traffic always uses the most available and performant path, avoiding congestion and other issues before they impact applications. Through Fastnet, customers benefit from secured long-term capacity and rapidly scalable bandwidth for their most critical operations, from generative AI and cloud-native applications to advanced research, transatlantic business connectivity, and international commerce. This investment in network diversity helps ensure customers can reliably access their cloud resources, with the flexibility to quickly expand capacity as their demands grow. Driving community development Infrastructure projects of this scale succeed when they're built in partnership with communities. From day one, AWS has worked closely with local organisations, nonprofits, and residents in both Maryland and County Cork to understand what success looks like for them. As part of our commitment to these communities, we are establishing Community Benefit Funds for both Maryland's Eastern Shore and the local community in County Cork. We will work directly with stakeholders to identify and support initiatives that address each community's unique needs and priorities. These community-driven funds could support a range of local initiatives, such as sustainability and environmental programs, health and wellbeing services, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education, future workforce development, economic development and leadership training, inclusion and diversity...
On this week programme John and Shane take a visit back into the archive to an interview we did in 2015 with a very special guest, the Irish writer Alice Taylor. Alice spoke to us then about her reflections on memory and grief - important considerations during the month of November for many people. Reflections on memory & grief: An Interview with Alice TaylorNovember can be a hard month for many people as we recall the memory of our dead. In the Roman Catholic tradition it is the month of the Holy Soul's. And it seems to be an appropriate time to reflect and pray for our dead as the year and seasons move towards the death of winter.But coping with death and grief can be difficult and on this weeks programme we share an interview with Alice Taylor to reflect on memory and dealing with grief especially after writing her book As time stood still.Alice Taylor lives in the village of Innishannon in County Cork, in a house attached to the local supermarket and post office. Since her eldest son has taken over responsibility for the shop, she has been able to devote more time to her writing.Alice Taylor worked as a telephonist in Killarney and Bandon. When she married, she moved to Innishannon where she ran a guesthouse at first, then the supermarket and post office. She and her husband, Gabriel Murphy, who sadly passed away in 2005, had four sons and one daughter. In 1984 she edited and published the first issue of Candlelight, a local magazine which has since appeared annually. In 1986 she published an illustrated collection of her own verse.To School Through the Fields was published in May 1988. It was an immediate success, launching Alice on a series of signing sessions, talks and readings the length and breadth of Ireland. Her first radio interview, forty two minutes long on RTÉ Radio's Gay Byrne Show, was the most talked about radio programme of 1988, and her first television interview, of the same length, was the highlight of the year on RTÉ television's Late Late Show. Since then she written numerous other books in fiction, poetry and memoirText us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
On this week programme John and Shane take a visit back into the archive to an interview we did in 2015 with a very special guest, the Irish writer Alice Taylor. Alice spoke to us then about her reflections on memory and grief - important considerations during the month of November for many people. We have some our regular reflection on the weekly Sunday gospel which this week is for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Soul's) and is Luke's account of Jesus raising the son of the widow of Naim.Reflections on memory & grief: An Interview with Alice TaylorNovember can be a hard month for many people as we recall the memory of our dead. In the Roman Catholic tradition it is the month of the Holy Soul's. And it seems to be an appropriate time to reflect and pray for our dead as the year and seasons move towards the death of winter.But coping with death and grief can be difficult and on this weeks programme we share an interview with Alice Taylor to reflect on memory and dealing with grief especially after writing her book As time stood still.Alice Taylor lives in the village of Innishannon in County Cork, in a house attached to the local supermarket and post office. Since her eldest son has taken over responsibility for the shop, she has been able to devote more time to her writing.Alice Taylor worked as a telephonist in Killarney and Bandon. When she married, she moved to Innishannon where she ran a guesthouse at first, then the supermarket and post office. She and her husband, Gabriel Murphy, who sadly passed away in 2005, had four sons and one daughter. In 1984 she edited and published the first issue of Candlelight, a local magazine which has since appeared annually. In 1986 she published an illustrated collection of her own verse.To School Through the Fields was published in May 1988. It was an immediate success, launching Alice on a series of signing sessions, talks and readings the length and breadth of Ireland. Her first radio interview, forty two minutes long on RTÉ Radio's Gay Byrne Show, was the most talked about radio programme of 1988, and her first television interview, of the same length, was the highlight of the year on RTÉ television's Late Late Show. Since then she written numerous other books in fiction, poetry and memoir.Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com
The new Grá Macroom Gift Card for the town of Macroom and neighbouring villages listed on the Grá Macroom Gift Card has gone live following an official launch event at the Castle Hotel in Macroom on the 29th October. Backed by Macroom Business Association, the Grá Macroom Gift Card replaces the previous paper Macroom shopping voucher and extends its reach from the town to its surrounding villages in the Lee Valley region, benefiting 15,000 people and around 100 businesses. Available in both physical and digital formats, the new Grá Macroom Gift Card is part of the award winning Town & City Gift Card initiative, and the first of its kind in County Cork. Cards are available to buy online and in person from Killian Auctioneers Macroom, Cooney's Garage in Coachford, Connections in Macroom, Dromeys Centra in Ballymakeera and Daybreak in Ballingeary and can be spent with around 100 participating local businesses. The Grá Macroom Gift Card is eligible to be used with the Small Benefit Exemption that allows organisations to gift their people up to five small non-cash benefits, tax free, each year up to the value of €1,500. Organisations can avail of a new corporate ordering site, with physical cards delivered securely by post, or the ability to send digital cards on a day/time of the organisation's choosing. Irish owned chain Connections has stores across County Cork, including in Macroom. The Macroom store is both a location to buy the new Grá Macroom Gift Card and a business which accepts the card. David O'Leary is CEO and founder of Connections and said: "It's the right time for Macroom to have its own high-tech gift card because the paper vouchers were dated. The new Grá Macroom Gift Card, being a physical and digital card, is more streamlined and easy to use. Since the pandemic, we've moved from around 40% card payments to 70% card payments. The Grá Macroom Gift Card is something recipients will have in their pocket or digital wallet. "Coming up to Christmas, employers can buy the Grá Macroom Gift Card for their staff in bulk. It's an easy, efficient way to reward staff. Why would you give a Perx or One4All Gift Card, when you can keep it local with the Grá Macroom Gift Card, and ensure that spend stays in the local economy. It makes more sense. "The extension of the Grá Macroom Gift Card beyond Macroom to its neighbouring villages will bring the benefits of the initiative to more people." Restaurants, pubs and hotels also accept the new Grá Macroom Gift Card, such as third generation family-owned The Castle Hotel. Manager, Rory Buckley, said: "The Castle is a four star hotel with 56 bedrooms and a leisure club. The launch of the new gift card is a great move for Macroom. Every community wants money to circulate and keep spend local, and that's what the Grá Macroom Gift Card will do. We accept the card at the hotel, and I think in today's economy, a card that can be used to pay for annual leisure club membership, swimming lessons for the kids or on an ongoing basis to enjoy lunch out is a real positive, easing the cost of living. "The ease of purchase and use of the Grá Macroom Gift Card will also bolster tourism. With the card, people can enjoy a night away and a full experience of Macroom, spending over and above what's on the card as they enjoy Macroom and its surrounding villages. A former Macroom resident now living in Australia recently commented that they see the card as a great gift to give to family still living at home in Macroom. So as well as locking spend into Macroom, it'll bring new money in too." Third generation business Matt Murphy's Pharmacy in Macroom is part of the new card. Henry Murphy commented: "The pharmacy is a family run, third generation business that has been located in the centre of Macroom for over 100 years. We used to purchase the paper vouchers for our staff and this year, we'll be purchasing the new card. It's nice that there's the option of the physical or digital card, and I like the fact ...
You're invited next September 20-26, 2026, to The Tender Harvest, a week-long retreat amidst the golden hues and organic bounty of the world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. Each day will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated excursions—plus ample time for rest, self-nurturance, and imagination....Hordur is a descendent of Vikings. To arrive at his farm—4,000 windswept acres in Iceland's storied BrennuNjáls Saga—is to step into an atmosphere rich with the scent of sulfur and soil, into a dramatic expanse of earth blanketed under heavy, silver-wrapped clouds.The light here is diffuse yet piercing, the landscape at once strange and wondrous—alive with an elemental force that reshapes the breath in our bodies as we ride through quick-watered rivers and cold, lush fields. I find my mind traversing the natural observations and human meanings of Annie Dillard's Teaching a Stone to Talk: Expeditions and Encounters:“We are here to witness the creation and to abet it. We are here to notice each thing so each thing gets noticed. Together we notice not only each mountain shadow and each stone on the beach but, especially, we notice the beautiful faces and complex natures of each other. We are here to bring to consciousness the beauty and power that are around us and to praise the people who are here with us. We witness our generation and our times. We watch the weather. Otherwise, creation would be playing to an empty house.”Around a rustic dinner table of slow-cooked lamb and homegrown potatoes, Hordur shares some of his story with us. He recounts having lived abroad for decades, mastering the language of markets and margins in glass atriums of international finance—until, at fifty, an inexplicable, tectonic force called him home to the basalt and moss-softened fields that have cradled his lineage for a millennium.He explains simply: “I wanted to raise Icelandic children.”“But what does that mean to you?” we press.Hordur pauses briefly, then recalls the day his youngest, seven years old, began hitchhiking the thirty-minute ride from school. Through valleys quilted with lupine and sheep, she returned home each afternoon this way for a decade, delivered safely again and again by a series of outstretched hands.To absolutely trust one's human surroundings is unfathomable to most parents. It points to an agreement not imposed by law, but woven into the fabric of society over generations, more gradually grown than moss over volcanic rock.It's good to know communities on earth still exist where children are this safe. It's good to know that somewhere, the fabled qualities of the village are alive and well.In a climate forged by fire and ice, tenderness is a currency of survival. Iceland has no standing military and virtually no violent crime. Babies nap outside in woolen blankets. Winter's deep darkness—which consumes all but three hours of each day—is not dulled by drinking at bars but thawed and warmed in local geothermal pools. And, in the northern town of Akureyri, stoplights shaped like glowing red hearts—signaling people to stop in the name of love—began appearing during the 2008 economic collapse as emblems of support and resilience.One might be tempted to dismiss these signs of communal health as the baked-in benefits of a homogeneous culture, but the science and art of the commonweal warrant a deeper look.With what conditions can safety pattern itself into a nervous system? How can our collective nervous system down-regulate from its ratcheting mistrust? These are the questions of our times if we are ever to find our way back to ourselves and each other. They have no right to go away when our mutual keeping hangs in the balance.In the poem Small Kindnesses, Danusha Laméris writes:“What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these fleeting temples we make together when we say, ‘Here, have my seat,' ‘Go ahead—you first,' ‘I like your hat.'”Years of teaching retreats in far-flung destination have sensitized me to Laméris's notion of the “fleeting temples” we create. Strangers arrive without their creature comforts or daily certainties, often hesitant, eyeing each other warily, clutching their schedules and habits. Yet, by stepping into the strangeness of a new landscape and the invisible contours of each other's lives, an organic, humanizing process begins to take shape. Stories and tinctures are exchanged; borrowed layers keep folks warm; adapters connect devices and new friends. Laughter begins to roll across the table. And then, on a long bus ride at day's end, a head finds another's shoulder to rest on: nascent, ephemeral, yes—but a temple nonetheless.“We have so little of each other, now. So far from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange,” Laméris' poem admits. Trust is woven where human beings sew threads of kindness, respect, generosity, and mutual accountability. Intrinsic to our nature is this capacity to lean in, but our dignified work is to thread and re-thread our humanity, even in a darkening season.Stripped of the luxury of self-isolation, we confront what Annie Dillard refers to as “our complex and inexplicable caring for each other, and for our life together here.” This is our human weave, complex and inexplicable: the mycelium of our mutual existence.The famous children's book asks, “Do you like my hat?” “I like your hat.” A benign, basic affirmation—just enough to signal safety to a nervous system. But out of these small kindnesses—a compliment, a door held open, a gentle word—the labor of civilization can begin anew.The day we return from Iceland, a vignette in juxtaposition: a grandmotherly figure spits an insult out the window of her car in our direction. My children freeze in the backseat, stunned by the woman's venomous words and their unsparing ordinariness.Laméris' poem laments this modern ache:“Mostly, we don't want to harm each other… We want to be handed our cup of coffee hot, and to say thank you to the person handing it. To smile at them and for them to smile back.”When kindness is withheld, when someone's pain is weaponized, some small but vital part in the mycelium tears. We feel the acute loneliness of being “far from tribe and fire,” and understand how the agitation that surrounds us gives tenderness more weight.Years have passed since Hordur returned to Iceland. He spends his days farming garlic, carrots, and potatoes in coarse soil, raising lamb on mountain herbs. His horses belong to one of the world's oldest breeds—descendants of ninth-century stock. They graze in grassy fields through every season, their manes wind-whipped and their temperaments famously resilient.When asked how their nervous systems have evolved to be so even-keeled through the centuries, Hordur points out that Icelandic horses have no natural predators. They are exposed to the elements, he explains, and they prefer to weather Iceland's brutal winters not alone in barn stalls, not in “an empty house” of creation, but with their fellow horses in an open field.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe
fWotD Episode 3086: Angela Lansbury Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia's finest articles.The featured article for Thursday, 16 October 2025, is Angela Lansbury.Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury (October 16, 1925 – October 11, 2022) was a British-American-Irish actress, producer, and comedian. In a career spanning 80 years, she played various roles across film, stage, and television. Although based for much of her life in the United States, her work attracted international attention.Lansbury was born into an upper-middle-class family in central London, the daughter of Irish actress Moyna Macgill and English politician Edgar Lansbury. To escape the Blitz, she moved to the United States in 1940, studying acting in New York City. Proceeding to Hollywood in 1942, she signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and obtained her first film roles, in Gaslight (1944), National Velvet (1944), and The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945). She appeared in 11 further MGM films, mostly in minor roles, and after her contract ended in 1952, she began to supplement her cinematic work with theatrical appearances. Lansbury was largely seen as a B-list star during this period, but her role in The Manchurian Candidate (1962) received widespread acclaim and is frequently ranked as one of her best performances. Moving into musical theatre, Lansbury gained stardom for playing the leading role in the Broadway musical Mame (1966), winning her first Tony Award and becoming a gay icon.Amid difficulties in her personal life, Lansbury moved from California to Ireland's County Cork in 1970. She continued to make theatrical and cinematic appearances throughout that decade, including leading roles in the stage musicals Dear World, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd, as well as in the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). Moving into television in 1984, she achieved worldwide fame as the sleuth Jessica Fletcher in the American whodunit series Murder, She Wrote, which ran for twelve seasons until 1996, becoming one of the longest-running and most popular detective drama series in television history. Through Corymore Productions, a company that she co-owned with her husband Peter Shaw, Lansbury assumed ownership of the series and was its executive producer during its final four seasons. She also moved into voice work, contributing to animated films like Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Anastasia (1997). In the 21st century, she toured in several theatrical productions and appeared in family films such as Nanny McPhee (2005) and Mary Poppins Returns (2018).Among Lansbury's numerous accolades were six Tony Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), six Golden Globe Awards, two honorary BAFTA Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award, an honorary SAG Award, and the Academy Honorary Award; in addition to nominations for three Academy Awards, eighteen Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:24 UTC on Thursday, 16 October 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Angela Lansbury on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm generative Joanna.
On Sow and Grow, Margaret broadcasts from her garden in Dripsey, County Cork, sharing the joy of a fruitful autumn and the beauty of nature's colours. She reflects on the year's abundant harvest — apples, onions, carrots, and potatoes — and offers practical advice on storing vegetables and preparing soil for planting garlic. Margaret also […] L'articolo Sow and Grow – Margaret Griffin – Storing and Growing Vegetables proviene da Radio Maria.
The Community Hall in Ballincollig is the venue for 4 packed nights of super theatre from groups all over County Cork. Chairperson of Pyke Theatre Group, Sean Hennessy, spoke to Elmarie Mawe about this year's festival - once they could find a quiet place to record!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on ‘The Write Question,' host Lauren Korn speaks with Irish author Kevin Barry, author of ‘The Heart in Winter' (Doubleday Books; Penguin Random House) and the featured speaker at the inaugural Festival of Irish Writing in Butte, Montana: October 3-4, 2025.
This week on ‘The Write Question,' host Lauren Korn speaks with Irish author Kevin Barry, author of ‘The Heart in Winter' (Doubleday Books; Penguin Random House) and the featured speaker at the inaugural Festival of Irish Writing in Butte, Montana: October 3-4, 2025.
George Lee, RTÉ Environment Correspondent, discusses the findings of an investigation into a fish kill in County Cork.
This Tune of the Week is an old one that comes from Ireland. The town of Fermoy is in County Cork, a place where fine musicians have originated from, as well as gold rush immigrants who ended up in my native California.
This Tune of the Week is an old one that comes from Ireland. The town of Fermoy is in County Cork, a place where fine musicians have originated from, as well as gold rush immigrants who ended up in my native California.
George Lee, Environment Correspondent, reports on the latest news regarding the recent massive fish kill on the Blackwater River near Mallow in County Cork.
Help MuggleCast grow during our birthday month! Our 2025 physical gift is here! The MuggleCast Yearbook includes writing by each of the four hosts, telling the story of the podcast across the last 20 years, and featuring tons of colorful images and jam-packed with enough nostalgia to make your eyes water. It's got personal reflections, anecdotes, never-before-seen photos and even a full compendium of British Jokes as told only on MuggleCast. So visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast and pledge today! To celebrate MuggleCast turning 20 this month, listeners can get 20% off an annual subscription to our Patreon with promo code 20YEARS. We've never offered this large a discount before, but this large of an anniversary calls for a very special deal. So visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast and pledge today! Patrons can also get a 20% discount on official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com! Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, we're lifting Bellatrix off her feet both romantically and murderously! Is Voldemort revealing more about his affectionate side? Is Dumbledore again letting Harry put himself in danger and doing nothing to prevent serious injury? Does the M.O.M. have accessibility features or is Harry super powerful? All that and more. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 36: The Only One He Ever Feared. Our Time Turner segment takes us back to Episode 473 of MuggleCast, lazily titled “Dumbledore v Voldemort” Harry asks the rotunda a question and it answers him. Could anyone have done this the whole time? A moment of consideration for Lupin's loss and how well he handles it by protecting Harry. Would Harry be forgiven and not prosecuted for using an Unforgivable Curse successfully under these circumstances? Just HOW does Harry get up to the atrium before Dumbledore? Did Voldemort tutor Bellatrix “personally” like her statement would seem to indicate? Why does Voldy call Bellatrix “Bella,” and is it a term of endearment? Noting that the only reason Voldemort is seen by the Minister is because he shows up to rescue Bellatrix at the end and take her with him. AN ACT OF LOVE?!?!?! Laura takes us through some symbolism with the fountain of magical brethren, and what happens to its members. Do the statues have a bit of Dumbledore's personality in them? They certainly approve of Dumbledore. Apologies to Pokemon enthusiasts for our criticism, it turns out the fight scene in the book is just like in the movie after all. I choose you, Blastoise! We praise Dumbledore for mastering Fudge. MVP: Who is the most valuable player during the Dumbledore/Voldemort fight in the atrium? Over on our Lynx Line, our patrons answer this week's question: What is the most MAX THAT moment in the chapter? Ie, which scene do you most want to see adapted for TV that wasn't done justice in the movie? Quizzitch: In this chapter, the statues of the Fountain of Magical Brethren spring to life to help save the day. But in the summer of 1985, widespread panic occurred when statues in County Cork, Ireland began to seemingly move on their own. What were they statues of? Send us your answers at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Step back into Irish history with modern comfort. If your ancestors emigrated from Ireland, you've probably wondered about the life they left behind. And if you're planning your own trip, maybe you've dreamed of staying in a traditional thatched cottage. In Mitchelstown, County Cork, one family's home tells a story that's been unfolding for more... The post If Walls Could Talk: The Story of a Thatched Cottage in Cork appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.
Creativity is an important part of my life, and I have so often observed that when I'm travelling, and also on my return, my creative thinking gets a huge boost. In this episode I chat with other travellers who feel the same. First up, I talk to author Spiri Tsintziras. Spiri has written several memoirs related to her experiences and travels in Greece, and explains beautifully how being away from home impacts her creativity so positively. Next, artist Carol McQuaid describes how travelling not only allows her creativity to flourish, but also talks about how travellers who take her visual art workshops while they are travelling have the same experience. Finally, author Diane Hartman tells me about her experiences in Ireland and in particular, about a writing retreat in a beautiful part of County Cork which included all the required ingredients for maximum creativity. I also chatted with friends and colleagues from the Creative Schools program, Claire Davenhall and Joanne Marriott, about how they feel travel and creativity come together, and I've included some of their thoughts. Links: Episode 207 Writing Retreats Around the World - https://notaballerina.com/207 Episode 52 How Travel Sparks Creativity - https://notaballerina.com/52 Spiri Tsintziras - https://www.writingspirit.com.au/ Spiri’s new book Twelve Golden Gifts - https://amzn.to/4mWCqCa Carol McQuaid - The Illustrated Vagabond - https://www.theillustratedvagabond.com Diane Hartman https://dianehartmanauthor.com/ Diane’s new book Getting Lost On My Way: Self Discovery on Ireland’s Backroads - https://amzn.to/45Q9Awp Claire Davenhall, visual artist - https://www.instagram.com/clairedavenhall Joanne Marriott - MOJO Creative Leadership + Culture - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannemarriott/ Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtfultravellers Join our LinkedIn group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://notaballerina.com/linkedin Sign up for the Thoughtful Travellers newsletter at Substack - https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com Show notes: https://notaballerina.com/362 Support the show: https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean Long, South-Western Director for Inland Fisheries Ireland, highlights the large numbers of brown trout killed in the River Blackwater in County Cork.
The Blind Guys get berated by Clodagh this week as they appear to be just messing around and having a chat. Is it because of the good weather? Maybe. Tesla's autonomous (driverless) cars in Austin Texas appear to have thrown caution to the wind and are driving around breaking the speed limits, but hard breaking when they see the cops! Could it be those little rascals The Minions are being naughty perhaps? Clodagh and Óran had a great laugh last weekend when in County Cork, where a local tried to convince them that a 50-kilowatt charging station is a 'superfast' charger! You're not pulling the wool over Clodagh's eyes, Mr Man!! Mohammed has recently been paint balling. Did he hit anything? Let's find out. And Óran has been trying his cooking skills, yes, he made a pizza! Or did he? (No. No he didn't. He just took it out of the oven! – Clodagh) In TV Corner, we are talking about 'The Long Way Home' on Apple TV. In the second episode, Ewan McGregor and Charlie Bowman are travelling through the Netherlands on their vintage motorbikes. They taste a local delicacy, raw herring. Apparently, it tastes like uncooked salmon fillet - YUCK!!! They also visit a village up north where people jump onto a pole in the middle of a river and try to get to the other side. Jan and Mo get quite excited about this activity! But wouldn't it be easier if they just walked?! Meta have launched their newest smart glasses. They have teamed up with Oakley, the fashion brand. Will you be buying the latest trendy specs? Let us know at blindguyschat@gmail.com. And Mohammed says Meta glasses might be getting a software upgrade in September, yay! So, pitch your tent in the kitchen, fire up the camping stove, and get ready for the sizzling sound of Blind Guys Chat: 9 out of 10 herrings prefer it to being eaten raw. Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript
Barry Roche, Southern Correspondent, reports on a significant cocaine seizure in County Cork.
You're invited next September 20-26, 2026, to The Tender Harvest, a week-long retreat amidst the golden hues and organic bounty of the world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. Each day will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated excursions—plus ample time for rest, self-nurturance, and imagination.The sound of flowing water soothes most nervous systems, but particularly those acclimatized to the desert, and particularly upon waking. I have struggled with sleep disturbances for most of my adult life, so it's rare for me to experience the weight and metabolic satisfaction of a good night's rest. But twice last month, I found myself receiving what we can call river medicine: first while visiting friends at their cabin in the Pecos Wilderness, and again east of Aspen, Colorado, while teaching at Beyul Retreat, a guest ranch along the Frying Pan River, a tributary of the Roaring Fork River.River medicine is like this: surrounded by tall, sappy pines, I found myself one early morning in the atmospheric valley between sleeping and waking, an integrative field of frequencies and forms. You know the place. Even now, I do not know for certain: did the river, by some charm of consciousness, stream into my dreamscape and stir me awake? Or was it the dream that pulsated forward into the matrix of a new day? What I can say is that I felt a bright, hydrous intelligence moving in ripples and waves through my body—clarifying and tonifying, calming neurons and glial cells in their watery beds, clearing layers of baked-in tension like grit loosened from a soaking pan. And for a time, I floated above the push of the day, appearing and disappearing and reappearing to myself.In the wake of hours that followed, to my delight, I noticed a quiet reverberation—an elemental answer quelling a wordless, needful thirst.Science offers a partial explanation for this. Water has a high dielectric constant, meaning it reduces the electrostatic attraction between charged particles, which helps substances like salt crystals separate and dissolve more easily. I would also propose that water's properties of solubility, absorption, and transmission apply to its natural ability to clean and balance the bioenergetic forces of being human.When a river twists and turns, it releases negative ions into the air. Microscopically, this process is dynamic—even violent. Molecules spill over rocks and tumble forward, rushing and colliding, breaking apart, and thereby transferring electrons and charging the surrounding air. But I find comfort in this science of fluid revitalization. New, more supportive structures can form when old ones give way, pointing to how, beyond turmoil and devastation, we too can hope for vital transformation.Years ago, I read a New York Times article called “Where Heaven and Earth Come Closer,” in which journalist Eric Weiner wrote about “thin places,” locations where the gap between the ordinary and extraordinary—or, better yet, transordinary—thins out.“Thin” seemed to me a strange choice to describe where the air thickens with meaning. But Celts and early Christians held that a small but distinct distance, like three feet, separates heaven and earth—and that distance dissolves in “places that beguile and inspire, sedate and stir, places where, for a few blissful moments [we] loosen [our] death grip on life, and can breathe again.”Many a thin place has been built by human hands. Early in my career, I worked for the United Nations Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, and developed the sensible habit of visiting the most treasured cathedrals, temples, and sanctuary sites wherever I found myself in the world. Jama Masjid in Delhi, Sacré-Cœur in Paris, Tirta Empul in Bali, Newgrange in Ireland, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem: each has a distinct energetic signature that lives in my memory, a resonance born of its purpose and the accumulation of countless prayers that infuse the surrounding air.But thin places are more often found than made. Mountains, canyons, coral palaces—they are organic monuments to mysticism and ready reminders of our humble size before nature. As Weiner writes, “Thin places relax us, yes, but they also transform us—or, more accurately, unmask us. In thin places, we become our more essential selves.”In this sense, thin places evoke qualities of alchemy and revelation. In traveling to Beyul Retreat, I recalled how the Vajrayana Buddhist term “beyul” refers to hidden valleys believed to be sanctuaries blessed by enlightened teachers, places where the land itself is animate. A beyul holds the wisdom that rivers, trees, and even rocks are not objects but mandalas — living altars, ineffable and intricate in their aliveness.Aptly named, Beyul Retreat is a place where the boundary between perception and imagination feels more permeable. The land electrifies with new growth as summer approaches: dandelion confetti bursts open in the meadows, aspen trees shimmy, and fresh sage scents the air. Each morning, as the river's murmur moves through the valley, calypso orchids bloom in the shade while the pointed ears of silver fox pups perk up from behind cool, wet stones.In the imaginal realm of childhood, there are many such beyuls, many thin places. There are fern groves and swallow lairs, stars nestled in apple cores and galaxies in lightning bugs, and lobe-handed sycamore leaves at the wild end of the yard.We tend to think of nature as speaking in symbols, but its directness transmits rather than approximates. “The world is not made of objects; it is a communion of subjects,” writes Stephen Harrod Buhner, author of Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm. “To enter the imaginal realm is to give permission to the ineffable within us, to allow the world to speak through our senses, our dreams, our longings.”To commune is to listen with our whole body, to notice the most basic and vital exchange of breath and circumstance that underpins our existence. To allow for a metamorphosis of our attention. And when we realize the subjectivity of the world, we can discover strange and wonderful ways of joining the conversation. Like us, the aspens drink water and eat light. They have instincts and work to protect their lives. And did you know that the dark spots resembling eyes on the smooth, pale bark are scars left behind when the tree sheds lower branches that receive less sunlight? Look how this porous watchfulness is directed in our direction, how the forest offers us its attention.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe
A new gripping Irish novel based in Blarney in County Cork filled with secrets, deception and suspicion explores if there really can be two sides to every story. ‘Some Of This Is True' is a fiction story of a young American tourist whose body was found at Blarney Castle while the mother tries to find out what really happened. Michelle McDonagh, Bestselling Author and Freelance Journalist joined Pat this morning now talk about her latest thriller.
Host Kerry Diamond heads to County Cork, Ireland, for a special episode of Radio Cherry Bombe, recorded live at the Ballymaloe Festival of Food, presented by Kerrygold. Join Kerry as she chats with four inspiring figures helping to shape Ireland's vibrant culinary future: award-winning dairy farmers Dara & Beatrix Killeen; female farmer advocate Vanessa Kiely O'Connor, a.k.a. The Dairy Fairy; and legendary food icon Darina Allen, founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School and the new Ballymaloe Organic Farm School. From regenerative agriculture to tech-forward farming, these changemakers are redefining what it means to farm with purpose in Ireland today.Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting Radio Cherry Bombe.Click here for tickets for our Summer Tastemaker tour. Subscribe to Cherry Bombe's print magazine. More on Dara & Beatrix: Dara on Instagram, Beatrix on InstagramMore on Vanessa: Instagram, Women in Agriculture Stakeholder GroupMore on Darina: Instagram, Ballymaloe Cookery School, Ballymaloe Organic Farm SchoolMore on Kerry: InstagramPast episodes and transcripts
On Wednesday, Richard Satchwell will be sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife Tina at their home in Youghal in County Cork in 2017. One of the journalists who interviewed him on a number of occasions was Prime Time's Barry Cummins.
A real fanboy moment for me getting to interview the comedic legend that is Chris Kent. Chris welcomed me into his beautiful family home in County Cork for a honest chat about his life and his hard earned rise to fame. I couldn't be more honored to have Chris on the podcast. This man is without doubt going to be the next MEGA name in the international comedy scene. Please sign up to my Patreon for weekly bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/BigNewsComingSoon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fire crews were working to contain a fire at a skip hire facility near Midleton, County Cork. The blaze started in the early hours of Friday morning, with units from both Midleton and Cobh responding to the scene, Roster Senior Fire Officer Mark Davis joined Paul Byrne to discuss fire safety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today's guest is JR Ryall, the head pastry chef at Ballymaloe House Hotel, a renowned luxury property in County Cork, Ireland. He's also the author of the 2022 cookbook “Ballymaloe Desserts: Iconic Recipes and Stories from Ireland” and is known for showcasing local, high-quality ingredients in his elegant desserts.JR joins host Jessie Sheehan to chat about his earliest memories of Ballymaloe House, the bread-baking class that ignited his passion, and the hotel's legendary dessert trolley. He also shares expert tips on making the perfect chocolate éclairs, from achieving crisp choux pastry to balancing the perfect glaze.Click here for JR's Chocolate Éclairs recipe. Thank you to Ghirardelli Professional Products for supporting our show. For Jubilee 2025 tickets, click here.To get our new Love Issue, click here. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on JR: Instagram, Ballymaloe House, “Ballymaloe Desserts” cookbookMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook
It took a catastrophic car accident for the singer and actress to leave a decorated career in architecture and focus on her artistic ambitions, including a tribute show to her friends Sinead O'Connor, and Shane MacGowan of The Pogues.Irish-French singer and performer Camille O'Sullivan grew up in County Cork, with her Irish father and French mother.Although she sang throughout her youth, she was persuaded to become an architect and went on to win awards for her work.But after she nearly lost her life in a harrowing car crash, she decided she had to be honest with herself and become the singer she always wanted to be. Camille has brought her unique voice to the songs of Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf, Nick Cave and Radiohead.In her newest show, she's honouring two late Irish singers who were her friends: Sinead O'Connor and Shane MacGowan from The Pogues. This episode of Conversations touches on epic life stories, origin stories, Ireland, Irish singing, Jacques Brel, friendship, songwriting, poetry, and performing.
It took a catastrophic car accident for the singer and actress to leave a decorated career in architecture and focus on her artistic ambitions, including a tribute show to her friends Sinead O'Connor, and Shane MacGowan of The Pogues.Irish-French singer and performer Camille O'Sullivan grew up in County Cork, with her Irish father and French mother.Although she sang throughout her youth, she was persuaded to become an architect and went on to win awards for her work.But after she nearly lost her life in a harrowing car crash, she decided she had to be honest with herself and become the singer she always wanted to be. Camille has brought her unique voice to the songs of Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf, Nick Cave and Radiohead.In her newest show, she's honouring two late Irish singers who were her friends: Sinead O'Connor and Shane MacGowan from The Pogues. This episode of Conversations touches on epic life stories, origin stories, Ireland, Irish singing, Jacques Brel, friendship, songwriting, poetry, and performing.
We're headed to the Garden State for this episode and talking with Michelle McCarthy, Founder & CEO of MCC Marketing Group. Michelle, who is based in Jersey City in the New York City market, tells us about her experience with launching her business and the excitement and challenges that come along with it. She emphasizes the importance of a strong network and tells us about some of her recent clients, including David Gilmour's sold out US tour, the Rock The Country festival series, and a sold-out reunion performance featuring the original Broadway cast of Anastasia, The Musical at Lincoln Center. She talks about her love of music and other passions which drive her and her focus of optimizing results and maximizing campaigns for her clients. We talk with Michelle about her career journey, which began in County Cork, Ireland, where she did marketing and promotions for arts festivals before moving to Dublin to work with Hot Press magazine and the Dublin Theatre Festival, eventually overseeing marketing for the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Her work there led her to New York City, where she promoted shows at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall before going on to spearhead marketing strategy for live entertainment at Prudential Center and Madison Square Garden Entertainment. You'll love all the great tips and conversations in this episode such as advice for those considering starting their own agency, the value of time off in recentering your path, and plenty of fun stories speckled throughout.Michelle McCarthy: LinkedIn | EmailMCC Marketing Group: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn ––––––ADVENTURES IN VENUELANDFollow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/TwitterLearn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & MarketingDave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest ResearchMegan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital AdvertisingSamantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & PublicityCamille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
In this episode, I talk with Liam from Galway City, Galway, Ireland, as we discuss modestly all of the physical and mental benefits of being one of the chosen few great people from County Cork, Ireland! We also discuss Irish tourism, life in Galway from a shopkeepers perspective, the history of the Claddagh ring, the origins of mayonnaise, the housing crisis in Ireland, an economic overview of Ireland, and the role of art in Irish society. Join us as we separate the craic from truth and fiction, and have a nice conversation live from Galway City Ireland
Catherine Airey grew up in England in a family of mixed English-Irish descent, and now lives between County Cork and Bristol. On this episode of Little Atoms she talks to Neil Denny about her first novel Confessions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Over the weeks we've heard from counties Meath ,Galway and Kerry and in this episode it'll be County Cork's turn as Matthew Clarke of The Cork Supernatural society (on FB & Insta) shall regale us with 12 years' worth of paranormal investigations from the rebel county. Cork's castles, monasteries, convents and notorious Asylums are all places Matthew and his team have all investigated-Listen in on our get together. Check out a You Tube channel called Paranormal Resident(also on FB & Insta) its creator is a talented filmmaker/paranormal enthusiast Ciaran Aughey,within Paranormal resident's playlists you'll find a mini-series called The American Medium featuring his friend Rhonda at various Irish historic sites documenting her physic medium impressions of them. Rhonda Hale is an American with dual Czech republic citizenship currently living in Ireland..Go to Rhondahale.com and find out all about her thriving hypnotherapy and psychotherapy practice.Today's podcast is part one of my chat with Rhonda and part two is next week when she'll recall her psychic medium findings on Leap castle ,the Aughrim battlefield ,The Rock of Dunamase and Donegal castle.HELP ME me Rhonda and she did in fact I got a bit more help than I bargained for! I began by asking Rhonda Hale does she talk to dead people?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/paranormal-uk-radio-network--4541473/support.
This summer, I embarked on a road trip to Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, for our annual Choctaw Labor Day Festival. Nestled among the rolling hills of the Kiamichi Mountains, the event was a vibrant celebration featuring stickball tournaments, frybread, gourd dancing, and Choctaw Village activities. While these cherished traditions always make the journey worthwhile, this year's experience was especially meaningful. On August 30, 2024, we honored the historic Choctaw monetary gift sent to the Irish during the Great Famine with the unveiling of the Eternal Heart monument, created by Choctaw sculptor Sam Guerrero Stitt. This remarkable piece stands as a companion to the Kindred Spirit monument in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland, designed by Alex Pentek. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to The National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, the Irish Heritage Trust, the Sharing Lands research group, and the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme for their invaluable collaboration and support. Special thanks also go to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for making this moment possible! The connection between the Irish and the Choctaw is a profound testament to kindred spirits—a friendship forged through hardship and solidified by an enduring act of compassion. We honor the struggles and resilience of our Choctaw and Irish ancestors, whose spirits continue to inspire us. May this bond of kinship flourish for generations to come. Yakoke to my esteemed guests: Chief Gary Batton, Seth Fairchild, Claire Green Young, and, of course, the talented sculptor behind the Eternal Heart, Sam Stitt! The National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park: https://strokestownpark.ie/national-famine-museum/ The Irish Heritage Trust: https://irishheritagetrust.ie/ Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme: https://www.ireland.ie/en/irish-diaspora/emigrant-support-programme/ Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship Program: https://chahtafoundation.com/scholarships/choctawirelandscholarship/ Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
My guest this week is a County Cork man and a true AI visionary—Conor Twomey!Conor is co-founder of AI1 and an accomplished executive leader with over 15 years of experience tackling the toughest data challenges for top corporations around the globe.I've had the pleasure of knowing Conor for several years in New York, and am always struck by his positive attitude, how much he accomplishes in 24 hours (!) as well as how generous he is with his time. He's a Dad of two, a n impressive runner, and he consistently goes above and beyond to help others, especially through mentoring and supporting young professionals in NYC. I'm incredibly grateful that he was able to carve out time in his hectic schedule to join me as a guest.Conor's career journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He was the former Head of AI Strategy at KX, part of the global First Derivatives, a global consultancy and technology firm that specializes in providing solutions for the financial services industry. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Newry, Northern Ireland.Today, Conor is a sought-after speaker, known for his expert insights on everything from AI and machine learning to generative AI and next-gen data analytics.In this episode, we discuss his career journey, the power of AI, and we also discuss how important mentorship is, running, and how sometimes saying “no” has been a game changer for his own health and wellbeing. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! Follow Conor on LinkedIn here! https://www.linkedin.com/in/conortwomey/Conor is an Ambassador for GOAL and will participate in their Great Ethiopian Run this November - you can find out more here: https://www.goalus.org/greatrun/Support the showNavigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: info@amvoywealth.com / www.amvoywealth.comPlease rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYorkAnd if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com
It's a winter night when we first meet Tom Rourke. He's penning love letters, preening in mirrors, pushing dope, partaking of booze, singing and flirting and fighting. It's just another night in Butte, Montana, for the feckless young Irishman. And no one writes the Irish quite like Kevin Barry. Barry's new novel, “The Heart in Winter,” is his first set in America. But true to form, it features the Irish. That's because, in the 1890s, Irish immigrants by the thousands descended upon the tiny frontier town of Butte to work the copper mines — a historical nugget Barry learned in 1999. 'The mind of Irish author' Kevin Barry lives in a hilariously malevolent world As he told host Kerri Miller, at the time, he thought to himself: “My God, this is a Western but it's a Western with County Cork accents. I'm in. This is my book.” He immediately hopped on a plane to Montana, where he was welcomed warmly. Butte remains proud of its Irish heritage. And he went back to Ireland and wrote something like 100,000 words. But, he said, “I knew even as I was writing it, it was all dead on the page. It just wasn't coming to life for me, because I didn't have the characters yet. I didn't have the people of the novel yet, and those took their sweet time. It took another 22 years and six books later before my characters finally appeared to me.”What finally appeared on the page was a savagely funny and romantic tale of two young lovers on the run from a cuckolded husband's goons. On this week's Big Books and Bold Ideas, Barry joins Miller to talk about the entwined histories of America and Ireland and how he deftly uses comedy to combat a sense of fatalism. He also shares his experience narrating his own audiobooks, which he finds crucial for refining his stories. Guest: Kevin Barry is the author of many books, including “Night Boat to Tangier” and “Beatlebone.” His new novel is “The Heart in Winter.” Subscribe to Big Books and Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS or anywhere you get your podcasts.Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations.
On this week's Pretty Curious, JVN and Samantha Barry, Editor-in-Chief of Glamour Magazine, delve into the intersections of beauty, politics, and media - and how Samantha's extensive newsroom background primed her for magazine leadership. They're talking: Gen Alpha skincare, the ever evolving media landscape, and how to find County Cork, Ireland relative to the palm of your hand. Samantha Barry is the Americas Editorial Director of Glamour Magazine, where she oversees content development and consumer experiences across the brand's digital, social, video and print platforms. Barry has served as editor-in-chief of Glamour U.S. since 2018, where she has transformed the annual Women of the Year Awards, led the brand to reach record-breaking monthly audiences, and grown video across platforms. She joined Glamour from CNN Worldwide, where she served as executive producer for social and emerging media. Prior to that, Samantha was a social media producer and journalist for BBC World News in London. Samantha Barry is on Instagram @sambarry and you can follow Glamour Magazine @glamourmag Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for the transcript. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Find books from Getting Curious and Pretty Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our Senior Producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Production support from Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices