Bobbie Hickey, content creator and influencer, discusses challenges faced by blind/vision impaired people in social situations; Veronica Coffey takes us on a group stroll on the Maynooth Greenway while Clare McLaughlin takes us behind the "Seen Unseen" art project.

Hello Bobbie

27 years old Bobbie Hickey has undergone more than 200 eye procedures as she journeyed through the phases of sight loss. As a student, and long cane user, she encountered periods of the sound of social silence. But, when she became a guide dog owner everyone wanted to say "hello". Bobbie's take on making connections is fascinating and a "must listen".

Hello Veronica

Over 40 years ago Michael and Theresa Lavin, with the National League of the Blind of Ireland, led the way in east coast group walks. COVID could have put an end to it all but in stepped Veronica Coffey. We joined her for a walk on the wild side from Confey to Maynooth.

Hello Clare

"Seen Unseen" in an art project which can be heard, not unheard, as we chat with artist Clare McLaughlin. Concentrating on tactile, touch and audio Clare developed the concept in 2014. The project works for all but is particularly suited to blind/vision impaired people.

Hello, Goodbye

In our final item, Out of Sight News, Jade and Joe highlight Vision Sports MayFest, Six Nations audio description and the blind marathon runner who will be guideless. Grainne's wellbeing tip is all about kindness.

Contacts and links

• "Out of Sight! Stories of Ireland's Blind and Vision Impaired Sportspeople" book written by Joe Geraghty. Published by Martello Press it is available in all accessible formats www.outofsight.ie
• Maynooth Greenway Walk: Veronica Coffey email [email protected]. Phone 087 6201836
• "Seen, Unseen": Clare McLaughlin email [email protected] phone 086 3091653
• MayFest Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/
• Irish Blind Golf: https://irishblindgolf.ie/
• Audion Description Six Nations Rugby feedback: email [email protected]
• Dundalk Walk: Call Pat Kelly 087 7708200 / Maureen Madden 085 2656972
• Paracycling Come and Try: Cycling Ireland on socials / phone 0 18551522
• Coffee Morning: Fighting Blindness, email [email protected]
• Credits

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Bobbie Hickey, Bob Auerbach, Veronica Coffey, Michael Mooney and Clare McLaughlin
• News: Jade McCormack, Grainne Geraghty
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog