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

From MayFest to Mizen2Malin to the Meta Marathon Man this episode criss-crosses Ireland and southern England.

We hit the spot vox popping with 12 Vision Sports Ireland MayFesters including a couple just married. We also meet the man who has attended over 30 MayFests and his friend who travels from Switzerland each year to provide support.

Maureen Madden takes us on the gruelling Mizen2Malin cycle to raise funds for Irish Guide Dogs. Tandem stoker Maureen tells us of being wiped out by weather in Cork and Kerry but preparing the sun screen for the hills of Donegal.

Clarke Reynolds recalls his unique history making Brighton Marathon. He donned the Ai Ray-Bans and availed of support from the Be My Eyes team to avoid hitting the wall. But, how did he pull this together?

• "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: Billy Shanahan email [email protected], phone 087 9253225
• Old Wesley VI Rugby Team Trip to Japan: https://www.idonate.ie/event/IrelandVIRugby
• Mizen2Malin (Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind): https://mizen-2-malin-2025.raiselysite.com/

Credits

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Maureen Madden, Clarke Reynolds, Alan and Dawn Barber, Adam Duffy, Grace Muldowney, Rahim Nazarali, Lughaidh Ó Móráin, Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Rebecca Kerr, Sarah Nolan and her daughters Aine, Katie and Freya.
• 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 and Instagram: Joe Geraghty

As we celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Vision Sports MayFest we look back on those magic moments, how it began.

We meet the five surviving blind and vision impaired people - Pat Kelly, Gerry Campbell, Martin Kelly, Tony Sweeney and Tony Scanlon - who participated in the 1978 UK National Athletics Championships in Scotland.

With little preparation they were frightened by the blast of the starter's gun and struggled out of starting blocks wearing rubber dolly slippers instead of racing spikes. Determined to succeed this group went on to form the nucleus of a team who became a world force in para-athletics within six years.

The seeds sown in Scotland grew to form our national sports governing bodies as well as 45 years of May Games/MayFest.

From the boat to Stranraer in '78 to the bus to Santry in '81 we journey with the legends who made it all happen.

• "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
• MayFest, Saturday 16 May, UCD and Old Wesley Rugby Club, Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Gerry Campbell, Martin Kelly, Pat Kelly, Tony Scanlon and Tony Sweeney.
• Out of Sight! book insert voice over artist: Sarah Pyle.
• MayFest Heaven narrator: Dominic Coyle.
• 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 and Instagram: Joe Geraghty

Hop, skip and jump into Vision Sports Ireland MayFest '26 – the legendary annual multi-activity leisure carnival - with Sara McFadden and Kristina Millar.

It's MayFest mayhem as event organiser Sara invites blind/vi people, family and friends to get lost in orienteering, rock climbing, tennis, weight lifting, golf, athletics, rugby and finishing with a BBQ.

It's fun, fun, fun as Kristina tells us her favourite part of MayFest is meeting and greeting. Off track she chats accessible language learning. Kristina also talks of her recovery from a ruptured ACL and torn meniscus to preparing for the Women's Mini Marathon.

• "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
• MayFest Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Sara McFadden and Kristina Millar.
• 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 and Instagram: Joe Geraghty

Blind-sided after losing the sight of his left eye Ian McKinley rucked on to become a rugby Six Nations international. His second sight came about through adaptations including pioneering sports goggles. Ian talks us through his game of two halves from the Leinster Rugby Academy to Virgin Media pundit.

It's love all as Stuart Haxell, an international blind/vi tennis player, goes to court on his favourite sport. He explains how the adaptive game is played and invites us along to the Irish National Blind/Vi Tennis Championships in Shankill on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Is love all around as content creator Dave Redmond tackles blind dates? Dave, who is registered blind, explores various dating apps and then checks out speed dating. Love at first sight happens but what of love with no 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
• MayFest Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/
• Audio Description Six Nations Rugby feedback: email [email protected]
• Dundalk Walk: Call Pat Kelly 087 7708200 / Maureen Madden 085 2656972
• Trip to Tipp: Thurles Sarsfields GAA Club, Saturday, 27 June. Contact Vision Ireland email [email protected] phone 01 9133170
• Irish National Blind/VI Tennis Championships: 2-3 May, Shankill Tennis Club, Quinn's Road, Shankill, Co. Dublin. attendance FREE. Registration to play, conditions apply: https://ti.tournamentsoftware.com/find?StatusFilterID=2&DateFilterType=0&StartDate=2026-01-30&EndDate=2026-05-03&Distance=15&page=1
• Digi Coaching: to register email [email protected]
• Podcast: Tech Docs, featuring Stuart Haxell and Jade McCormack
• Podcast: Talking Technology, featuring David Redmond,

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Ian McKinley, Stuart Haxell and Dave Redmond.
• Reporter: Jade McCormack,
• News and Wellness Tips: Grainne Geraghty
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials:Out of Sight with Joe G on Facebook and TikTok. Also, checkout Joe Geraghty on Linkedin and Instagram.