This week's guest is Tom McGrath, author of Unspoken, published in April 2022 (Gill Books, Dublin). It's the poignant and interesting story of Tom's family history. While his parents lived quite a conventional life in Waterford City, their shared existence did not conform to what was expected by Irish society in the 1950s. Tom became an orphan in his teens and he knew practically nothing about his parents' background until much later in life.

Here Tom gives Paul glimpses into the story. It's full of emotion, from deep sadness to joy. It is an extraordinary tale with drama and tension. His father's story is one of bravery and danger, which he never spoke about. Tom tells Paul how the book came about. He didn't set out to write it - it just evolved from a project for his grandchildren. The book includes an account of his quest for information. The whole experience led to his own pilgrimage to Poland, where his father had been a prisoner of war during World War II, as well as a journey with his son Eric over the Pyrenees, following his father's footsteps as he escaped.

Tom's quest and his emotional journey are inspirational. Anyone thinking of a family history project would benefit from hearing this chat.

Series Producer: Conor O'Hagan

Audio Supervisor: John Hughes

Conor talks to Peter McElroy, founder of FairDealSolutions.ie about the ins and outs of the Irish Fair Deal Scheme.

Peter had over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry before deciding to set up and run Fair Deal Solutions, an organisation guiding people through the scheme.

Fair Deal Solutions, advise and manage the process of applying for funding under the HSE Fair Deal nursing home scheme for you.

As applying for funding under the scheme can be both complicated and time-consuming, we are your dedicated 'hand-holding' service.​

Their personal, solutions based service will help you to understand what is involved and explain the complex details of the scheme.

This would allow you and your family to devote more time to finding the best nursing home care for your loved one.

​From experience, this can be a sensitive and traumatic time for families. With our trusted expertise and knowledge of the Fair Deal scheme, the process will be much simpler for you.

Fair Deal Solutions is an independent, impartial and unique service. To learn more Visit : www.FairDealSolutions.ie

Antiques expert and television personality Eric Knowles is a firm favourite of Irish audiences and appears regularly at Senior Times Live events.

Ahead of Senior Times Live in Cork on November 25-26 at the City Hall, where he will be giving valuations and answering questions on antiques and collectibles on Saturday, Eric talks to Conor O'Hagan on one of his favourite subjects - Art Deco.

Michael is back with another 60 Question Quiz

Dr Karen Ward is a practising counselling psychotherapist. In The Secrets of Ageless Ageing, Karen Ward takes her reader by the hand on a voyage of self-discovery and a celebration of middle age and beyond. The Secrets of Ageless Ageing is full of tips on how best to manage our physicality, time, mental health and relationships as we age, how to ease our adjustment to retirement and a slower pace of life, and, most importantly, how to embrace with enthusiasm the many opportunities that the latter stages of our lives offer.

Conor sits down for a chat with Bobby McDonagh, Irish diplomat and former ambassador to London, Rome & Brussels. Now retired from the service his regular Irish Times columns and media appearances give a fascinating insight. He was Ireland’s ambassador to the UK during the Queen’s Irish visit and represented Ireland in many capacities in the EU.

A Story about Dromahair on a Fair day in the 1950s. The First Story in "Leitrim to Birmingham", a podcast by Tony Downey.

Former Irish cricketer Stella Owens joins Gary on this episode of The Gary Cooke Podcast to discuss everything from getting started in her career to coaching the next generation.

Michael is back with another 60 Question Quiz

Showband Legends: Michael Lyster meets the Swarbriggs by Senior Times