Dads Don't Cry

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Amy to share the heartbreaking story of her daughter Estlin, who died in a car crash just days before her fourth birthday.

Amy speaks about Estlin’s vibrant personality, the devastating accident that changed her family’s lives forever, and the difficult decisions that followed, including the pride she feels in Estlin’s organ donation. She reflects on the incredible support of her community, the challenges of grieving differently as a family, and the ongoing pain of secondary losses as her husband Vinny faced a long road to recovery.

Amy also opens up about the frustration and anger surrounding the court case, returning to the crash site, and finding moments of comfort in places like Lahinch Beach. Above all, she shares the little things that made Estlin who she was, the significance of her name, and the importance of keeping her memory alive.

A heartbreaking and deeply moving conversation about child loss, family, anger, community, and the enduring love a parent carries for their child.

In this episode, host Peter is joined by Nina to share the story of her son Enzo, who passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Nina opens up about the morning she lost Enzo, the shock and guilt that followed, and the six-month wait for answers. She speaks honestly about grieving while living in a hub, navigating pregnancy after loss, and supporting Enzo’s older brother through the heartbreak of losing his little brother.

Nina also shares the beautiful ways she keeps Enzo’s memory alive, from his colourful funeral to the special meaning behind his fox symbol and her connection with the Little Duck Foundation.

Above all, this is a conversation about Enzo himself, his laugh, his personality, and the love that will always remain.

This is Enzo’s story, told by the mum who will never stop carrying him in her heart.

#DadsDontCry #SIDS #BabyLoss #ChildLoss

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Niamh, who shares the story of her brother Stephen and the impact his death has had on her.

Niamh talks about Stephen’s vibrant personality, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and empathy, as well as the memories that made him so loved by those around him. She reflects on his cancer diagnosis, his positivity throughout treatment, and the heartbreak of watching someone she loved become increasingly unwell.

She shares the numbness of hearing that Stephen was gone, the bittersweet memories of his final week at home, and the waves of grief that can arrive unexpectedly. Niamh also talks about returning to work after his death, the challenges of discussing grief in the workplace, and the importance of giving yourself time and space to grieve.

The conversation explores the different ways people experience loss, finding comfort in memories, and the importance of continuing to talk about Stephen and keeping his memory alive.

A deeply personal conversation about sibling loss, grief, love and the importance of continuing to say someone’s name long after they’re gone.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Ciaran, who shares the heartbreaking story of his son Louis and his own experiences of grief.

Ciaran talks about the journey to becoming a parent, including fertility challenges and the sudden losses that he had already experienced, before the joy of pregnancy eventually turned into an unexpected crisis when Louis was born prematurely.

He takes us through the hours and days in NICU as Louis fought for his life, before Ciaran and his fiancée were faced with the unimaginable decision to say goodbye to their son.

The conversation explores the weight of grief, the reactions and responses of those around us after child loss, and the ways people try to support parents through something that can never truly be fixed.

Ciaran also speaks about welcoming a rainbow baby, the hope and anxiety that can exist alongside new parenthood, and the lasting impact of losing Louis. He shares how counselling helped him process his grief.

A raw and honest conversation about Louis, the love of a Dad for his son, and learning to carry grief while continuing to live, parent and remember.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Dylan, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing his own dad, followed closely by the loss of his first son, Hunter.

Dylan talks openly about the anticipation and excitement surrounding Hunter’s arrival, before receiving the unimaginable news that his baby’s heartbeat had stopped at 40 weeks and 1 day. He shares the experience of his partner giving birth to Hunter while grieving, bringing him home, and finding ways to honour his son by sharing his story and keeping his memory alive.

The conversation also explores the complex emotions that can come with a subsequent pregnancy, the different ways parents experience and process grief, and the importance of creating a shared space where loss can be acknowledged and remembered.

Dylan also talks about his campaign to raise awareness around baby loss through the Late Late Toy Show, helping to bring conversations about grief and child loss into the wider public conversation.

A raw and honest conversation about losing a father, losing a son, and finding ways to carry both losses forward.

The podcast is now airing as a special series on RTÉ Radio 1, with new episodes broadcast every Wednesday at 10:00pm.

Missed the live broadcast? You can catch up from around 10:45pm each Wednesday by visiting RTÉ.ie/dadsdontcry or listening on the RTÉ Radio Player.

This podcast feed will continue to be home to the original Dads Don't Cry episodes, featuring honest conversations with bereaved parents, healthcare professionals and experts. If you're new here, there's a wealth of episodes waiting for you, and I'll continue to share updates here from time to time - so make sure you hit Follow to be notified.

You can also keep up to date on Instagram @dadsdontcrypodcast, and if you'd like to share your thoughts or feedback, I'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

Thank you so much for your continued support. It means the world, and I hope you'll join me for the new series on RTÉ Radio 1.

After a short break, Peter returns with a solo episode to share what's been happening behind the scenes, including the exciting news of a special summer series for Dads Don't Cry.

He opens up about returning to Slane Church for the christening of his daughter Réiltín, the first time back since saying goodbye to Aodhla, and reflects on how grief and joy can exist side by side.

Peter also answers listener questions on some of the biggest topics facing bereaved parents: deciding whether to have another child after loss, living with the complexities of parenting a rainbow baby, feeling "okay" while grieving, the changing support of family and friends, and finding community as a bereaved parent.

An honest, personal episode about carrying hope without leaving your child behind, remembering those we love, and why every grief journey is different.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter sits down with Mark to share the story of his daughter, Ría, who died due to a Fetal-maternal hemorrhage (FMH). Per the pathologist, it happens rarely, is not predictable or preventable. Sadly one of those tragic, unfortunate, events.

Mark speaks with remarkable honesty about the excitement of pregnancy, the fears that surfaced along the way, and the devastating moment he and his wife learned that Ría's heart had stopped beating. He takes us through the unimaginable reality that followed, telling their children, preparing for Ría's birth, creating precious memories in the limited time they had with her, and facing the heartbreak of planning a funeral for a child they had longed to meet.

Together, Peter and Mark explore what happens after the condolences fade: how grief affects relationships, work, mental health, and family life. They reflect on the different ways men and women grieve, the importance of seeking support, and how children often teach us some of grief's most valuable lessons through their honesty and innocence.

This is a conversation about loss, but also about love, resilience, fatherhood, and finding ways to keep a child's memory alive. Through stories of kindness, remembrance, and enduring connection, Mark shows how Ría remains an irreplaceable part of his family's life.

A powerful and heartfelt episode that will resonate with bereaved parents, families, and anyone seeking to better understand life after the loss of a child.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Sinead, Frankie’s mammy, to share the story of her beloved son and the profound impact his loss has had on her life and family.

Sinead opens up about her pregnancy, the concerns she felt weren’t being heard, and the devastating events that led to Frankie’s brief life and her own near-death experience. With remarkable honesty, she reflects on the days and weeks that followed, from leaving the hospital without her baby to planning Frankie’s funeral and learning to navigate the overwhelming reality of grief.

Together, Peter and Sinead explore the lasting impact of child loss, the challenges of coping with insensitive comments, family dynamics, unanswered questions, and the anger that can remain when seeking accountability. They also discuss the different ways people grieve, the importance of support networks, and how sharing stories can bring comfort, understanding, and connection to those facing loss.

Sinead shares how Frankie’s memory continues to shape her family’s life, inspiring meaningful fundraising efforts in his memory and a determination to keep his legacy alive.

This is a powerful conversation about love, loss, resilience, and the enduring bond between a parent and child. A heartfelt episode that will resonate with anyone who has experienced grief, supported someone through loss, or is seeking hope in the stories of others.

This week on Dads Don’t Cry, Peter is joined by Chloe, Finn’s mam, for a deeply moving conversation about love, hope, resilience, and loss.

Chloe shares her journey through pregnancy, receiving Finn’s diagnosis of Down syndrome, and the many challenges that followed after his birth. She opens up about the long hospital stays, moments of uncertainty, the search for answers, and the strength it took to keep believing in brighter days for her son.

Together, Peter and Chloe discuss Finn’s complex health challenges, the precious memories created along the way, and the reality of navigating life when hope and heartbreak exist side by side. Chloe reflects on bringing Finn home, saying goodbye, and the lasting impact he continues to have on her family.

The conversation also explores grief, therapy, humour, relationships, and the different ways people cope with loss. Chloe shares how she keeps Finn’s memory alive through art and advocacy, ensuring his legacy continues to make a difference.

This is an honest, powerful, and inspiring episode about parenthood, courage, and the enduring bond between a mother and her child.