Guest Editor

This edition's Guest Editor this is Saoirse Brady, Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, a non-governmental organisation working for systemic penal reform, and change, in Ireland. The organisation's vision is a just, humane Ireland where prison is used as a last resort. Saoirse invites a panel of those with lived experience of the Prison Service in Ireland to discuss the effect of having a family member in prison,  the stigma around prisoners and the support available to help those with convictions to reintegrate into society. 

This episode's Guest Editor is Claire Dunne, who, like Freda Murphy and Michelle McMahon, is a member of Kilkenny One Parent Community. She steers their conversation about a one parent family dynamic . They discuss the many wonderful endeavours and workshops that offer support, and opportunity to group members. 

This episode's Guest Editor is Nevin Cody, a man best known for the Shenanigan Walks he offers around Kilkenny city. He takes us on a wonderful whistlestop tour, sharing some of the stories and history of the city along the way. 

This edition's Guest Editor is Shirley Power, Kilkenny Federation President of the ICA ( The Irish Countrywomen's Association). The Kilkenny Federation of ICA was founded in 1912 and the Guilds span a large area of the County from north to south. Shirley speaks with a number of ladies from those guilds across the county and offers insight into the very active and important role they play in our villages and parishes. 

The Editor is Caoimhe Martin, a young Carlovian, who has just completed her first year of college. She shares insight into Youth Culture and allows those of us who are a little older to eavesdrop on some youthful tea-spilling. She also introduces us to some wonderful local talent. 

This week's editor is Clare Ryan from St. Mullins, she's the former principal of St. Leo's College, Carlow. In this programme she'll be talking to Sisters from The Poor Clares, an enclosed order with a convent in Graiguecullen which is home to ten Poor Clares who spend their days praying for public requests. The Sisters live, very gratefully, off money and food given by the people for whom they pray.

Tonight's Guest Editor is Maresa Sheehan who, with great bravery, takes on a Poetry Pilgrimage. Her mission? To see if verse can be lifted from the page and brought into the pub as a party piece. 

Josephine McLoughlin, who runs, Social Ability Carlow Kilkenny, a self-advocacy group for people with disabilities, is in conversation with two of the group's members, her programme looks at the challenges those with intellectual disabilities face when seeking employment.

Cait Barden takes us back to the origins of Bio-Dynamic Farming, bringing us right to the heart of such a community unity in Thomastown.

Her programme celebrates ‘living well as we age’ whilst addressing some of the challenges we face as we move through life, particularly in relation to health, and the loss of loved ones.