Win Happy Podcast

On today's podcast I chatted with my retired neighbour and total gentleman, Jim O'Meara, who lives at the top of the hill at Ardsallagh in Crookhaven with his wife Mary.

Jim was born and bred in Goleen, the son of the local teacher and his own path was quite similar but he ended up teacher training in Belfast for 40 years.

He chats about his life and career, living in Belfast in troubled times and his love of the sea including an interesting encounter with David Attenborough.

Enjoy the show!

Special thanks to Mary O'Meara for her special appearance on the podcast

Podcast Production by Greg Canty of Fuzion

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On today's podcast I chat with Mike Baldwin, not the character from Coronation Street, but an Englishman all the same.

Our neighbour from the other side of the hill loves visiting the old cottage near Goleen in West Cork and in truth just can't spend enough time here.

Mike has been drawn to this special cottage where his great grandfather lived his whole life.

This special needs teacher is the author of a number of books, he is obsessed about Irish folklore, the history of harps and yes, he is also a harp maker.

He loves nothing more than coming here, enjoying the relative solitude while he potters away on his projects including bringing this old cottage back to life.

Enjoy the show

Links to Mike's books, available from Worm Books, Schull, Co.Cork

Mizen: Rescued Folklore, Histories and Songs from Ireland's Southwest

Skibbereen: Rescued Folklore and Histories from Ireland's Southwest

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On part two of a two part podcast I chatted with Sally Smart of Smart Productions.

28 years ago she visited a friend in West Cork with her three daughters in the camper van that they were all living in.

For the sake of the children Sally decided to put down roots and after many years she was able to explore her own passion for theatre and productions.

Sally has created a safe place called "The Loft", where with her help kids can express themselves creatively, in a way that she was never able to.

Ayoola, her own daughter, who is now a successful actress was one of the very first to benefit from Sally's teaching, spirit and encouragement.

Enjoy the show!

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today's podcast I chatted with Sally Smart of Smart Productions in Schull in West Cork.

I can honestly say that Sally is one of the most fascinating people that I have met who has lived the most unusual life.

In part one Sally talks about her early life in Cornwall, running away to Australia, living alone on a deserted island for 9 months, falling in love with Gus, an Aboriginal man and then living and travelling together across the desert in a station wagon with their two children!

Sally is headstrong and determined, she lives and stands by her principles.

Enjoy part one of Sally's story!

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today's podcast I chatted with Ronan Healy, the Programme Manager for National Heritage Week, which runs from the 17th to the 25th August.

Ronan chats about his life and career and explains why this is the perfect role for him.

He chats about the work of The Heritage Council and the role that Heritage Week plays in showcasing all of the best that the island of Ireland has to offer

He explains this year's theme: 'Connections, Routes and Networks', and gives us a flavour of the diversity of events and activities throughout the country, and he also tells us how best to plan the perfect Heritage Week for you, your friends and family.

Enjoy the show!

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today's podcast I chatted with Siobhan Cronin, the editor of the Southern Star, one of Ireland's most successful regional newspapers.

Siobhan is as passionate about media as she is about open water swimming and we chatted about both.

She remembers the earlier days of newspapers when you would literally have a sentence stuck on your shoe, and she now juggles the delicate balance between the printed newspaper and embracing the various opportunities of digital.

We spoke about autism, AI, car tax, the best places to swim, the importance of a decent holiday and the story of Canty's Cove!!

Enjoy the show!

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today's podcast I chat with Alan O'Neill, the former CEO and founder of the Men's Development Network.

Alan founded the network in 1997 as he saw a huge need for men to come together and talk about their issues and challenges in a safe, trusting environment.

We chatted about the role of dangerous men in the world causing unnecessary wars that will lead to generations of hatred.

Alan also spoke about Ronaldo's tears, the National Men's Health Programme and the White Ribbon campaign to end violence against women.

Enjoy the show!

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On part two of this two part podcast I chat with the wonderful Swedish singer Camilla Griehsel.

She talks about life with her young family and her husband, Colin Vearncombe (aka Black) and their move from London to Schull in West Cork.

Life in Ireland has been very special for Camilla both musically and personally but unfortunately not without huge sadness when Colin died in a motor accident in 2016.

Camilla is always happy when she is singing and this helped her recover from those darkest of days.

Ahw chats about her musical projects including Dogtail Soup, the Barefoot Baroque, Mamasongue and so much more to come.

Enjoy the show!

Click here for part 1

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today's podcast I chat with the wonderful Swedish singer, Camilla Griehsel who shares her life and musical story which is full of both joyful and heartbreaking moments

In part one she talks about her early years exploring her gift for singing.

Camilla is comfortable in nearly every genre of music and this has taken her from busking, to barbershop, to church choir, to piano bars, to singing in a holiday resort in Gran Canaria and then to Norwegian pop band 'One 2 Many'.

Life changed when she met and fell in love with Colin Vearncombe (aka Black), famous for the global hit 'Wonderful Life'

Enjoy the show!

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today's podcast I chatted with Londoner, Len Lipitch who celebrates 50 years living in Ireland this year.

He started off as an accountant and working on one of the first "Flower Power" festivals changed his career trajectory.

Len worked providing visuals to touring bands, he worked in a number of different countries and then he came to Ireland for a simpler life. He came to West Cork, bought a cottage for £1,000 and ended up living without water or electricity with a donkey called Honk, who was his only mode of transport for two years!

Many years later after some twists and turns a Tarot Card reader told him that his life was about to change, and days later he picked up a young German hitchhiker, Sabine Lenz, which was the beginning of a very special love story and a successful jewellery business, Enibas.

Enjoy the show

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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Email Greg with feedback or suggested guests: [email protected]