On today’s podcast I had the privilege of speaking with Irish actor Diarmuid Noyes, the co-lead of the movie ‘Christy’, which has been winning awards in Ireland and abroad and rave reviews from movie critics everywhere.

Diarmuid plays the character Shane in the movie brilliantly, as he wrestles with the job of trying to steer his brother Christy on the right path and at the same time, not to derail his own life.

Diarmuid talks in detail about the huge preparation that goes into getting a part like this right, the process around the whole movie and the special bond that has grown between the novice actors and the more experienced actors like himself and Emma Willis, who played his wife Stacey in the movie.

He has been acting since he was nine years of age, a career shaped in some ways by a  crush on Mary Kate Olsen and personal circumstances, and even now he still finds this crazy profession challenging.

Diarmuid is extremely humble, finds praise a difficult thing to accept and for some strange reason he gives himself too hard a time. 

Yes Diarmuid, you are a brilliant actor.

Enjoy the show...

Christy opens in Irish cinemas on the 29th August, and in Britain from the 5th September.

The book I referred to at the end of the podcast is called The Surrender Experiment.

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I bring you a conversation that I had with Garry McCarthy outside a busy beer house in Berlin during the Berlin Film Festival, where the movie 'Christy' won the Grand Prix of the Generation 14plus category.

While Garry didn’t have a starring role in the movie, you could say he was the biggest star of the movie, because his tireless work as the Founder and Creative Director of the Kabin Studio for years and years, can be seen in the performances of some of the main actors as well as the spirit that runs through the whole movie.

Danny Power who plays the main character in the movie, Christy, came from the Kabin as well as Jamie Forde, Darren Stewart, Cara Cullen and many of the supporting cast. Much of the music you hear in the movie and is available in the soundtrack came from the Kabin Studio.

The movie captures the real stories of life for many in the northside of Cork city and Gary has witnessed these stories for years. 

Through his work at the Kabin he empowers young people through music and creativity to find their voices, build their confidence and to feel safe.

He says “when you have the right people around you, you can be steered in the right direction”

He is one of those people.

Enjoy the show

Christy opens in Irish cinemas at the end of August.

Christy was directed by Brendan Canty.

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On night two of the Berlin Ale Film Festival there was a second screening of the movie Christy in a more intimate venue, and a chance for me to relax and properly watch the movie.

During the course of the evening I spoke with some of the stars behind the movie and I also hit the record button during the Kabin Crew performance, and the audience question and answer session with the cast and the audience after the show.

The film really connected with the audience and while the questions they asked were really interesting, some of the answers were quite hilarious and you just might get a flavour of real Cork like!

The movie was about real lives, it captured both the dark and the light, and in many ways it was art imitating life.

On today’s podcast I captured some of the magic from this very special night. 

Interviews with:

• Brendan Canty (Director and co-writer)
• Emmet Fleming - Sleeper Films
• Danny Power - Christy
• Jamie Forde - Robot
• Darren 'Tiny' Stewart - Ferrit
• Ema Willis - Stacy
• Cara Cullen - Leona
• Ian 'Bony' Tabone

Enjoy the show

Christy was co-written by and directed by Brendan Canty

Christy opens in cinemas at the end of August.

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today's podcast I chatted with theatre director, writer and performer Karen Minihan about many topics including her two books, her plays, her theatre directing and her performing.

It is one of life’s huge miracles that Karen worked as a solicitor for 10 years, and then that moment arrived when she had to embrace who she was and what she needed to be doing with her precious life.

She spoke about where she gets her inspiration, how stories come to her, how she develops the characters and how she thrives off the energy that comes from collaboration.

She also spoke about her book Extraordinary, Ordinary Women and the sequel More Extraordinary, Ordinary Women. In these books she reveals the untold stories that highlight the significant, yet often overlooked, contributions of women in West Cork during the Irish War of Independence and Civil War.

Karen is an absolute live wire, brimming with passion, projects, ideas and creativity, and I tried my very best to keep pace with her.

Enjoy the show

This episode is dedicated to Sorcha

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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Early in the morning on the 13th June 2025 the air raid sirens and the phone alerts came and you had to quickly move to a communal shelter with your partner and your two children.

What thoughts go through your head when you hear the bombs overhead?

What conversations do you have with other people sheltering?

What do you tell your children?

Does it make people think about what it must be like for people in Gaza as the bombs rain down on them and they have no shelters?

How do you do this day after day when those sirens alert you once again to take cover?

Now that the war with Iran “is over” how do you feel?

What is the position with Gaza and has this changed the standing of Netanyahu?

On today’s podcast I chat with Paul Kearns, urban planner, author and journalist about his experience living in Tel Aviv with his young family for the last 8 years, and wonder what is he still doing there?

Let's hear what he has to say.

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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I can’t imagine giving up my home and deciding to live in a horse drawn caravan.

I can’t imagine moving to another country in that horse drawn caravan and buying some land on a rugged peninsula.

I can’t imagine living in a teepee on that land through wet and damp winters with my infant children.

On today’s podcast I chatted with Lisa Scarff who moved from Dorset to Sheep’s Head in 1993, and made a wonderful life for herself and her children.

She speaks about her love of nature, making a life in West Cork, entrepreneurship, her meadows, butterflies, moths and turning 70!

Enjoy the show

Greg

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I had the absolute pleasure of the company of Fiona Burke, the founder and owner of Little Red Skincare.

A simple conversation about her very special business opened up into a number of areas I wasn’t at all expecting.

She chatted about her early life as the daughter of the local policeman in Ennis, being bullied out of her job as an engineer by someone who felt that wasn’t the place for a woman, and this leading to an unplanned life of a successful entrepreneur selling cheese at various markets around Cork.

The cheese business evolved into Little Red Skincare, an organically certified business that can be purchased online, in various stockists, or even better, in person from Fiona at Bantry, Skibbereen and Schull markets.

She also chatted about some big personal changes that she has made recently, and how she has cracked the code on this thing we call life! 

Enjoy the show 

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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After such a long wait we were finally in our seats to watch the premiere of my son’s first feature film, Christy at the prestigious Berlinaile International Film Festival.

The speeches were made to open the festival and finally the lights went down and the film began.

I wasn’t fully sure what to expect of the movie, and within minutes I found myself emotionally gripped by the story and throughout I laughed and I cried, I cheered on the main characters and hoped that things would work out for them, and at the very end, and I really don’t want to give anything away of the story, I wept and had to take a few moments to dry my eyes and gather myself.

The movie was brilliant and moving, all of the talented actors and everyone involved waved the Irish and Knocknaheeney, Cork flag proudly and yes, my son did good, beyond good, brilliant.

After the movie had finished and I dried my eyes, I chatted with Daithí O’Dronai who did the music score, to see how he enjoyed it, and how he went about creating such a beautiful sound backdrop throughout the film to match the story. 

I then managed to catch Brendan, the man of the moment for a couple of words before chatting with some of the very talented cast; Diarmuid Nose, Sophia McNamara, Emma Willis and Ciaran Bermingham, a mix of established and brand new actors about their experience of working in the movie and some other projects they are involved in.

At the after party I finally caught up with the extremely humble and down to earth, Daniel Power who played the main character Christy in the movie. This superstar in the making explained his journey from rapping to acting, and how easy that transition was for him and once again it shows the huge role that initiatives like the Kabin Studio can play in young people’s lives.  

A few drinks later and it was time to get to bed - this wasn't your typical Valentine’s Day, but it was the day when an international audience fell in love with Christy, with Knocknaheeny and this special love letter to Cork city.

Christy will be showing in cinemas this summer - you are in for a very special treat.

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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When your son has co-written and directed a full feature movie it’s a big deal.

When this movie has been chosen to open the Generation section of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival you start to get excited, and before you know it you are in Berlin on a snowy Valentines Day in a huge auditorium excitedly waiting to see the movie for the first time.

The opening night was a sell out with 1,000 people gathering in the bar and lobby area before the doors opened for the theatre.

I wanted to capture this special occasion so with a mixture of nerves and excitement I turned on the microphone and chatted with some of the stars of the movie and the producers to learn about their roles and to get a hint of what we were about to see on the big screen.

First I spoke with two of the actors in the movie, Lewis Brophy and Ian Tabone.

To learn more about the business side of the movie and the importance of the festival itself I spoke with producers Rory Gilmartin and Meridith Duff.

And then just before his huge night began I managed to catch my son, Brendan Canty, to capture his  excitement on what must be one of the biggest professional moments of his life.

While the cast and crew were here for the international premiere of Christy, what the huge crowd were not expecting was that Knocknaheeny from the Northside of Cork were here in force and before we filed into the theatre we were treated to a special flavour of Cork by the Kabin Crew.

It’s time to take our seats and watch a movie!

Christy will be on our big screens this summer..

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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In part two of a two part podcast, Artist and Author, Sue Stolberger chats with me about her nearly 40 years living in a tent in the Ruaha National Park in East Africa.

Sue says that “nature is the greatest teacher” and she shares with me so many of her experiences from that special time including Winkie the Warthog, Mr and Mrs C, Romeo the giraffe, Mrs Reedbuck and the cycle of life, her encounter with a lion, falling trees, climate change, gender equality and her wonderful life with the world renowned sculptor, her very special Rob Glen.

All of these stories are captured in her beautiful book, ‘Nature Speaks’ , which in many ways is as much a book about life as it is about nature.

Sue has done lots, but there is lots more to come…

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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