Out of Sight With Joe G

As the nights close in our VI Rugby team head for the land of the rising sun. Team Manager Kristian Millar and key player Sara McFadeen chat of the Tokyo Olympic Stadium build up where IRELAND will compete against ENGLAND, FRANCE and hosts JAPAN. Kristina and Sara speak of their appreciation of the support Old Wesley rugby club, Vision Sports Ireland, Sport Ireland and many sponsors.

Breda Dowling bowls us into tenpin in Kilkenny. As the night comes to an end she sneaks into her local alley to smash it with spares and strikes.

Bobby Hickey dishes out the tricks and tips on navigating the gym.

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

• Sight and Sound Technology Exhibition

Ø Event webpage on TU Dublin website which includes registration links for the exhibition, and the other events that are taking place as part of the event through the two days.

Ø Exhibition registration form where people can register directly to attend the exhibition in Dublin, and book a sighted guide if needed.

Ø Note the Cork event is a drop-in event so no registration needed.

Ø Opening times are as follows:

Monday 12 October, 11:00 to 5:00 pm.

Tuesday 13 October, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Wednesday 14 October (Cork event) 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

· Seen Unseen in Venice and Iveagh House email [email protected]

Credits

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Kristina Millar, Sara McFadden, Breda Dowling and Bobby Hickey.
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

Stuart Lawler is a tech genius but what of his other talents? Farmer, tractor driver, musician, tape magazine editor and librarian, composer, broadcaster, podcaster, champion Braille advocate and the voiceover artist who bookends this podcast. Next month he hosts the Sight & Sound Technology Exhibition in Dublin and Cork. Talk to us Stuart.

VI Rugby is turning Japanese next month as the Old Wesley, Vision Sport, IRFU Ireland crack team head east. In this Out of Sight Insight we look at how the game evolved here.

Jessica Kennedy is one of the newest members of Ireland's paracycling squad. But, she was a child dance star who is now a qualified dance instructor. She tells us how to take our first steps on to the dance floor.

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

• Listener Survey Link: https://forms.gle/ubtiwQkF4FrtSfPE6

• Sight and Sound Technology Exhibition

Ø Event webpage on TU Dublin website which includes registration links for the exhibition, and the other events that are taking place as part of the event through the two days.

Ø Exhibition registration form where people can register directly to attend the exhibition in Dublin, and book a sighted guide if needed.

Ø Note the Cork event is a drop-in event so no registration needed.

Ø Opening times are as follows:

Monday 12 October, 11:00 to 5:00 pm.

Tuesday 13 October, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Wednesday 14 October (Cork event) 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Stuart Lawler, Jessica Kennedy and Sarah Pyle (VI Rugby voiceover artist)
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

Ten years after their last international v Poland Ireland's Blind Football team return to Krakow for the re-match. We chat with team members Ruben Collins and Laurence Noonan. Sean Poland, key team management member and Education Training and Participation Coordinator, Vision Sports Ireland, describes the sport and its core rules.

When Dominic Coyle bought his first tandem in London in 1974 he could never have known that 5 decades later he would meet Bob Auerbach and end up piloting blind and vision impaired stokers across the land. Listen to Domo's mono.

Michael Lavin is legend. If you're looking for a good yarn or tune Michael's your man. From slow bike races to tandem touring; from scuba diving to sailing; from Braille transcribe to Chair of the National League of the blind; from telephonist to senior software developer. An unmissable interview.

We also prompt you to complete our 4 minute Listener Survey.

• "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
• Listener Survey Link: https://forms.gle/ubtiwQkF4FrtSfPE6
• Blind Football new member registration: Email [email protected]
• Fighting Blindness Support Group, full list: https://www.fightingblindness.ie/how-we-can-help/support-services/insight-counselling-service/support-groups/

Email Kathryn Sinnott [email protected]

Tel 01 6786496

• Vision Sports Ireland Home Exercise Programme, (New Season begins 14 September) https://visionsports.ie/home-exercise-series/
• Swimming: Email [email protected]

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Sean Poland, Ruben Collins, Laurence Noonan, Dominic Coyle and Michael Lavin.
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

Kathryn Sinnott, Support Group Coordinator at Fighting Blindness, has loads of indoor activities for us to choose from this autumn. From online support and peer groups, to in person chats, to get up and dance. Our editor, Grainne, talks us through the return of the online Vision Sports Home Exercise classes.

As we mark the new Premiership season we join Joe Lonergan as he takes us to his beloved and highly accessible Villa Park in Birmingham. Joe swops his Vision Ireland tech hat for the claret and blue of Aston Villa. One question we didn't ask Joe: what have Villa and this podcast got in common? We'll both drop in next May!

Tom O'Neill, fresh from celebrating Guide Dogs 50 on his 70th birthday, returns to tells us of Traveleyes, a tour operator who specialise in supporting blind and vision impaired group travel. Tom also explains the pros and cons of taking a guide dog on tour.

• "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
• Fighting Blindness Support Group, full list: https://www.fightingblindness.ie/how-we-can-help/support-services/insight-counselling-service/support-groups/ Email Kathryn Sinnott [email protected] Tel 01 6786496

• Vision Sports Ireland Home Exercise Programme, (New Season begins 14 September 2026) https://visionsports.ie/home-exercise-series/
• VI Labs: Call 1800 911 110 or email [email protected].
• Traveleyes: https://www.traveleyes-international.com/ Guide Training (Traveleyes) https://www.traveleyes-international.com/guiding-a-blind-person/#:~:text=Here%20at%20Traveleyes%20we%20wanted,is%20partially%20sighted%20or%20blind.

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Kathryn Sinnott, Joe Lonergan, Tom O'Neill, Grainne Geraghty
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

Next Thursday, 20 August, marks the 30th anniversary of Bridie Lynch's Atlanta Paralympics Gold. It was Ireland's sole Gold and catapulted Bridie into national stardom with guest appearances on all the top shows. Where is she now? We crossed over the hills of Donegal to find her.

Friday, 14 August, marks the 33rd anniversary of Eamonn Coghlan's famous gold at the Inaugural World Athletics Championships. A few weeks before his golden moment Eamonn ran a blistering mile in Belfield. On the finish line he agreed to give his winning vest to our host Joe G. Somehow, this vest raised 12,000 euros to fund blind/vi athletics. Follow the story here.

It's hiking season and Paul Joyce steps in to tell us how he manages the rough and tumble of difficult terrain. You'll load up your hiking gear and head out the door after listening to Paul's stories.

It's a long way to Tipperary as we bid our final farewell to Billy Shanahan's Trip2Tipp. We chat with stokers Robert Dowdall, Noel Kelly and Dave Ryan about music, adventure, Mount Everest and the best road in Tipp.

• "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
• Laois Inclusion Games, 14-16 August. Register to come and try Vi Rugby, Blind Soccer, Para Tennis, Para Table Tennis, Cycling (incl. tandems), more. Register on socials @VIPHubLaois or email [email protected]
• Seen – Unseen with Clare McLoughlin - In person and online with specially created tactile packs free of charge to people living with sight loss online. Register email [email protected]

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Bridie Lynch, Paul Joyce, Noel Kelly, Robert Dowdall and Dave Ryan.
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

Tracey Percy chats about the August Midlands Inclusion Games, open to all abilities, all ages from all Ireland. She also tells us about Ireland's first VI Hub where Laois Sports Partnership, Vision Sports Ireland and a host of sports governing bodies and local clubs collaborate to provide sport for all.

We're at the cutting edge with Paul O'Rahilly and Grainne Geraghty as they dig out lots of tips on summer gardening. From ways to identify plants to best placement to ensure you'll always know what's where.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is 50. Tom O'Neill drops in to tell us heart-warming tales of his 7 dogs. Tom will also celebrate his 70th birthday in early August and will host a unique event to mark both celebrations. Tell us more, tell us more…

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
• Laois Inclusion Games, 14-16 August. Register to come and try Vi Rugby, Blind Soccer, Para Tennis, Para Table Tennis, Cycling (incl. tandems), more. Register on socials @VIPHubLaois or email [email protected]
• Roots Gardening Group, meet on Zoom 3-4.30 pm 2nd Thursday each month. To join or for further information contact Kathryn 01 674 6496 or 085 223 7103. Email: [email protected]
• Irish Gude Dogs Support: https://www.guidedogs.ie/getting-support/guide-dogs
• Mark and Jays Tandem Adventures: Check out their Facebook page for full details. To donate https://gofund.me/58e7253aa

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Tracey Percy, Paul O'Rahilly, Grainne Geraghty and Tom O'Neill.
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

20 years ago today –16 July 2006 – Tom Kennedy kayaked from Fishguard to Rosslare. Since losing his sight at 19 he has navigated the World, using various modes, from the Arctic Circle to the Black Sea. We caught up with him on his lunch break in his beloved Kilkenny.

Also, while in Kilkenny we step outside with Breda Dowling, Sales and Services Manager at Vision Ireland. From a 10,000 steps stroll on Tramore Beach one day to 55,000 steps into the Cork Marathon the next, Breda talks the walk.

It's baking weather whether outside or inside. Bobbie Hickey takes us on her kitchen where we discover many accessible, and not so accessible, appliance. Some top tips too.

The tale wags the dog as Gus Dorrington's story of his encounter with a flying Alsatian ends up in quite a snarl! In his determination to escape was Gus's dogged determination successful or might he have taking a licking?

• "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

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Breda Dowling, Bobbie Hickey, Sarah Pyle (voice over artist) and Tom Kennedy.
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

We cycled the 30th and final Trip2Tipp fundraising event and chatted with many participants. We met Mary O'Connor and Paul Joyce who got lost and thought they were on the Trip2Limerick! We witnessed an early meeting of Kerry and Dublin as Mairead O'Mahony took on Joanne McCarney. Billy Shanahan and hist daughter Caitriona crunched the numbers on participants and funds raised for Vision Ireland.

Travelling through airports for blind and vision impaired flyers has many challenges. Paul O'Rahilly checks in with lots of top tips.

Lina Kouzi, Head of Library Services at Vision Ireland, loves horses. Sometimes on holiday she takes to the stables for a day cantering through the great outdoors.

No. 1 sprinter, dancer and Liverpool fan Jason Smyth loves playing football for fun. On a break from the World Cup he explains how he adapts his game to compliment his limited sight.

• "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
• Trip to Tipp: Fundraising: https://www.idonate.ie/event/TriptoTipp2026-The30thAnniversary

Credits

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Jason Smyth, Lina Kouzi, Paul O'Rahilly, Billy Shanahan, Caitriona Shanahan, Mairead O'Mahoney, Joanne McCarney, Paul Joyce, Mary O'Connor,
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraght
• Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

No RTE World Cup audio description is seen as an own goal by many blind and vision impaired people. Earlier this year we recorded a fascinating interview with Virgin Media Six Nations AD commentator Ian McKinley.

Retired Paralympian Martin Gordon's passion for track tandem cycling took him from Sligo to Tokyo and Paris. Martin discusses the trials and tribulations of high performance cycling in a country with no velodrome.

Wimbledon champion at blind tennis Tracey Compton and Irish champion Vinny Keeane take us to the No. 1 court for an insight into the lives of blind tennis players.

• "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
• Trip to Tipp: Register at www.eventmaster.ie. Fundraising: https://www.idonate.ie/event/TriptoTipp2026-The30thAnniversary. Billy Shanahan email [email protected], phone 087 9253225
• Tandem Try Day: Call Paul Joyce 087 6396995
• Meagher's Tricolour GoFundMe with Joe Geraghty: https://gofund.me/ef4fff319

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Martin Gordon, Tracey Compton, Vinny Keane and Ian McKinley.
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

Paris Paralympic para-triathlete Chloe MacCombe chats about being at the crossroads. She urgently needs a guide to partner her on the road to LA 2028. Could you, or do you know of someone, who could guide a sprint triathlete - 750m swim , a 20km bike ride , and a 5km run – in an hour or less?

After 30 years of his Trip2Tipp Billy Shanahan tells us he's locking away the bike helmet. Before he does so he wants us all to join him for the Trip2Tipp grand finale on 27 June. He says we can cycle from 25km to 140km and help Vision Ireland. Jim Sweeney joins Billy and encourages us out of the saddle to crawl, walk or run 5k.

As teenage entrepreneur Nathan Proudfoot sits his Leaving Cert we dig into our archives and release a blow your mind chat with the ace student. Nathan is managing to turn his teenage hobby into a future career which is already paying dividends for disabled students.

• "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
• Trip to Tipp: Register at www.eventmaster.ie. Fundraising: https://www.idonate.ie/event/TriptoTipp2026-The30thAnniversary

Billy Shanahan email [email protected], phone 087 9253225

• Chloe MacCoombe Paratriathlon Guide requirement: message Chloe on Instagram @chloe_macombe or email [email protected]

• Host: Joe Geraghty.

• Guests: Chloe MacCombe, Billy Shanahan, Jim Sweeney and Nathan Proudfoot.
• Art: Katie Geraghty.
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack.
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty.

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty