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.

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".

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.

"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.

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.

• "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

Lina Kouzi, librarian at Vision Ireland, reads us into accessible digital; Tandem stoker Paul Joyce loses us on the Mullingar greenway; Áine Stanley leads us down the garden path to her allotment while Ireland's greatest cyclist leads us on the trip to Tipp.

Most books loaned out by Irish librarians are in print format. In contrast, most books loaned by Linz Kouzi of Vision Ireland (VI) are digital. Lina, Head of Library Access Services at VI reads us into the many formats now available. Book your read through your smart speaker, tablet, phone or computer. There's fonts of every shape, colour and size while Braille is still at your fingertips.

The tandem, the bicycle made for two, is very popular with blind/vi people. Paul Joyce, from the Galway Activity Club, is a vision impaired tandem stoker. He chats about cycling weekends in Galway and beyond.

I beg your pardon, Áine Stanley never promised us a rose garden, but she does promise us a fruitful allotment. Aine, the Health Promotions and Physical Activity Practitioner at Vision Sports Ireland, digs into the early gardening season.

Jade McCormack has an EXCLUSIVE on which superstar will lead the Trip to Tipp on 27 June. She also has info on arts, golf, football and mindfulness before she walks away to the Maynooth Greenway.

• "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
• Vision Ireland Library: Lina Kouzi email [email protected], phone 01 8642266.
• Galway Activity Group for Visually Impaired People: Paul Joyce, [email protected], phone 087 6396995.
• Trip to Tipp: Billy Shanahan email [email protected], phone 087 9253225
• Maynooth Greenway Walk: Veronica Coffey email [email protected]. Phone 087 6201836
• Seen, Unseen: Clare McLaughlin email [email protected] phone 086 3091653
• Vision Sports Portlaoise Hub golf: email [email protected] Phone 086 0129928
• VI Football (Laois and midlands): phone Ger 086 0717301

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Lina Kouzi, Paul Joyce, Grainne Geraghty, Áine Stanley.
• News: Jade McCormack
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Let's dance with the fastest vision impaired athlete on the planet Jason Smyth MBE. We dance off too with Carol Carr and Jessica Kennedy in this Dancing with the Stars special.

Jason Smyth is the undefeated champion of both Paralympic sport and Dancing with the Stars.

Chatting with host Joe G Jason discusses how he moved from Greece lighting to grease paint. He discusses ways to create greater awareness and understanding of blindness. You'll be up off your seat as Jason challenges you to find comfort while seated in any uncomfortable zone.

While born to run teenager Carol Carr developed much of her athletic abilities from learning the dance movements of Saturday Night Fever. She later become Ireland's first blind Paralympic athlete to win gold. While boarding at St. Mary's School for Blind Girls in Dublin Carol attended structured dance classes across a variety of genres. Between the jigs and reels Carol recalls some wonderful memories.

When Jessica Kennedy heard that her idol Jason Smyth was to be a contestant on Dancing with the Stars she popped him an email. She explained she had Stargardts eye condition, same as Jason, and that she was a dance instructor. To her surprise Jason promptly replied and invited her on to the rehearsal set and to the LIVE show.

Grainne Geraghty presents the latest news on a new accessible fitness apps. She also brings us from parachutes to Paralympics.

• "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
• Visionaries Choir: email [email protected]
• Sekond Skin: web www.sekondskinsociety.com

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Jason Smyth MBE, Carol Carr and Jessica Connolly.
• News: Grainne Geraghty
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Off-site recordings (Jason Smyth, Jessica Kennedy): Fighting Blindness, Dublin 1
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

In the first full episode of "Out of Sight with Joe G" host Joe Geraghty welcomes us onboard and introduces the featured guest, Áine Stanley. Áine is Health Promotion & Physical Activity Practitioner at Vision Sports Ireland.

New ideas on how we wish we to spend leisure time quite often float like butterflies and then flutter into the night, Áine Stanley, with two decades of experience in the field, helps us to identify and develop our best ideas. She advises us to consider our overall wellbeing and how to recognise our achievements. Áine shares practical tips to motivate us to get active and embrace new activities.

This episode's "Out of Sight Insights" explores chess, focusing on the current interest in the game. The segment, an extract from Joe's successful book "Out of Sight! Stories of Ireland's Blind and Vision Impaired Sportspeople", explains Braille Chess. We're taken on a journey through its early history, highlighting how this accessible version of chess can be enjoyed by everyone. Remember, you must check mate!

Michael Lavin, a living legend within Ireland's blind and vision impaired community, shares his experiences with the tin whistle. The instrument is affordable, portable and easy to learn. Michael recommends where and how you can pick up and whistle in the dark, the park or for a lark.

Jade McCormack presents the latest news, including updates on walking weekends, the multi-sport MayFest, VI Rugby, and developments in audible TV sports commentary.

• Host: Joe Geraghty
• Guests: Áine Stanley and Michael Lavin
• News: Jade McCormack
• Artwork: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Stuart Lawler, a well-known voice in our community introduces Joe Geraghty, the host of the podcast "Out of Sight with Joe G."

Stuart engages in a conversation with Joe to explore the motivation behind launching the podcast and what listeners can expect from upcoming episodes.

During the episode, Stuart presents an audio montage featuring future guests who will be joining the show. These include Jason Smyth, Jessica Kennedy, Michael Lavin, and Bobie Hickey.

Stuart introduces Jade McCormack, who will be the regular news reader. He also speaks with Grainne Geraghty, who will be responsible for editing and producing the show on a fortnightly basis.

Stuart challenges Joe by putting him on the spot to share some fitness advice with the audience.