Family Flowers Only by Grief Ireland
During the pandemic, the creator built a community on Instagram called Grief Ireland after losing his sister and brother-in-law. He found grief to be a taboo subject and wanted to open the conversation, comfort those who mourn, and educate those who don't. The podcast holds space for people to talk about grief, love, and loss, ensuring loved ones are never forgotten.
Episodes
Family Flowers Only with James Cox
This week I sit down with James Cox who shares the heartbreaking loss of his beloved wife Maria to an incredibly aggressive form of cancer known as soft tissue sarcoma.Maria was a young, healthy woman whose life was turned upside down by a devastating diagnosis. Over the course of approximately one year, James and Maria faced an unimaginable battle as the disease progressed at a frightening pace.
Family Flowers Only with Jemma Buttimer
This week I sit down with Jemma Buttimer who shares the heartbreaking loss of her brother Desmond Hurley known to everyone as Des.Des was just 29 years old when he tragically lost his life in December 2023 while working aboard a fishing vessel off the southwest coast of Ireland. An experienced fisherman from Kinsale Des suffered a fatal injury following a fall on board the boat in circumstances la
Family Flowers Only with Sandra Mullen
This week I speak to Sandra Mullen, a makeup artist and celebrant who shares a deeply personal story of loss, survival and a type of grief that often goes unrecognised.Just four months after her wedding devastating news concerning the safety of her eldest daughter turned Sandra’s world upside down and her marriage came to an abrupt end.What followed were years of raising her children alone, naviga
Family Flowers Only with Noeleen Eustace
This week I sit down with Noeleen Eustace, who shares the devastating story of losing her son Kelvin to suicide.Noeleen speaks about Kelvin’s struggles with both addiction and his mental health, and the years she spent desperately trying to get him the help he needed. She talks about the complexities of dual diagnosis and what it is like as a mother to keep fighting for your child when it feels li
Family Flowers Only with Zoe Welsh
This week I sit down with Zoe Welsh who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her dad to suicide.Zoe was just 16 when a situation involving inappropriate messages and comments from an older man known to the family changed the course of all of their lives. When her dad became aware of what was happening, his instinct was to protect his daughter but the events that followed ultimately resulted in
Family Flowers Only - Bonus Ep
BONUS EPISODE - AFTER THE FLOWERSThis week I’m introducing something new to the podcast.....After the Flowers.These bonus episodes will be a little different. Each week I’ll take a question or topic that has come from you the listeners, something you might be struggling with, questioning or need a little help navigating, and bring it to two experts..therapist Peter Mahony of By Your Side Therapy a
Family Flowers Only with Daniel Coulter
This week I sit down with Daniel Coulter who shares a story of childhood grief, addiction and recovery.Daniel was just 10 years old when his dad died suddenly in front of him. He speaks openly about experiencing such an enormous loss at such a young age, how it shaped him growing up, and how he now looks back on that little boy and his grief through adult eyes.Later in life Daniel developed a gamb
Family Flowers Only with Gavin Hattie
This week I sit down with Gavin Hattie, who shares the story of his beautiful son Connor, who was diagnosed with the extremely rare Krabbe disease and sadly passed away on his first birthday.Gavin speaks about those precious months with Connor and the incredible support his family received from the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation during an unimaginable time.This September, Jack and Jill are as
Family Flowers Only with Evan Gearns
This week I sit down with Evan Gearns, who shares the heartbreaking story of loosing his brother Andrew to suicide following a struggle with addiction and his mental health.Evan speaks openly about Andrew’s life, the circumstances surrounding his death while in custody, and his family’s difficult search for answers afterwards.He also shares how the loss of his brother changed the course of his own
Family Flowers Only with Suzanne Byrne
This week I sit down with Suzanne Byrne, who shares the story of her husband Jay, and the extraordinary 15-year battle with cancer that they faced together.Jay was a singer, and over the years the illness took so much from him, including his voice after having his voice box removed. Suzanne was by his side through it all and she speaks so lovely about their partnership, their love, and what it mea
Family Flowers Only with Craig Coady
This week I sit down with Craig Coady, a father who has faced an extraordinary amount of heartbreak and who is now fighting with everything he has for his son.Craig speaks about his wife Della, who is living with Huntington’s disease and is now in full-time care, and their two boys, Rory and Paudie, who were both diagnosed with the rare and progressive condition Friedreich’s ataxia. Last year, Cra
Family Flowers Only with Joe Grogan
This week I sit down with Joe Grogan from Tuam, Co. Galway, to talk about his son Shane and a very different kind of grief, living grief.In 2012, Shane’s life and the lives of his entire family changed in an instant when he was the victim of an unprovoked attack that left him with a severe acquired brain injury. More than a decade later, Shane requires full-time care and is unable to live the inde
Family Flowers Only with Ciara Keegan
🎧 Podcast DescriptionThis week I sit down with Ciara Keegan, who shares the heartbreaking loss of her sister Jessie a young mum of two who died last year from triple-negative breast cancer.Ciara speaks so honestly about the incredibly close bond she shared with Jessie, the love that surrounded her within their family, and the devastating reality of watching someone you love face such an aggressive
Family Flowers Only with Marian Hastings
This week I sit down with Marian Hastings who shares the loss of her husband James to cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).Marian speaks openly about the devastating reality of a diagnosis with so few treatment options, the fight they faced together, and the heartbreak of knowing there was very little hope. She reflects on the love they shared, the challenges of caring for someone through termina
Family Flowers Only with Shaunna Briody
This week I sit down with Shaunna Briody who shares the devastating loss of her only sibling Ryan in a tragic accident.Ryan was a young mechanic with his whole life ahead of him. Shaunna speaks openly about the trauma of his sudden death, the overwhelming grief that followed, and how it led to severe anxiety and panic attacks.This is an honest conversation about sibling loss, navigating life after
Family Flowers Only with Andrew Hart
This week I sit down with Andrew Hart who lost both of his parents by the age of just 24.Andrew speaks about losing his dad to cancer, before sharing the heartbreaking story of his mum's long struggle with mental health and addiction and her death by suicide.This is an honest conversation about grief, addiction, mental health, and the lasting impact of losing both parents at such a young age.🎧 Pod
Family Flowers Only with Maeve Keegan
This week I sit down with Maeve Keegan, who shares the heartbreaking loss of her husband Mark, who died by suicide in 2010.Maeve speaks openly about the complex circumstances surrounding Mark's death. What began as trading gradually became something she now believes was a form of gambling addiction, leaving her to discover the devastating financial reality only after his death.She reflects on the
Family Flowers Only with Claire Harrison
This week, I sit down with Claire Harrison, who shares the heartbreaking loss of her niece Lucy Harrison, who was killed by her father, Claires brother.Claire and Lucy were incredibly close, with only a couple of years between them, and Claire speaks so openly about the deep bond they shared. She reflects on the unimaginable reality of grieving her beloved niece while also trying to process the fa
Family Flowers Only with Ronan Cullen
This week, I sit down with Ronan Cullen who shares the devastating and very recent loss of his beloved wife Claire.Claire was in the Dominican Republic for her brother's wedding when she was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident. In this deeply emotional conversation Ronan speaks about the unimaginable shock of receiving that phone call, the raw reality of grief in its earliest stages, and l
Family Flowers Only with Sinead Hall
This week I sit down with Sinéad Hall who shares the heartbreaking loss of her baby son Ruadhán (Ruadh).In a deeply emotional conversation Sinéad speaks openly about the devastation of losing a child, the love she has for her son, and the profound grief that comes with carrying a loss so unimaginable.With incredible honesty and vulnerability she shares what life has looked like since Ruadh's death
Family Flowers Only Recommends: GoLoud Sleep Sounds
Something a little bit different now. I want to share a gentle, deeply comforting new resource with you all. We know that for so many carrying the weight of loss, the hardest part of the day comes when the rest of the world goes completely quiet. In those late-night hours, sleep can feel entirely out of reach as thoughts begin to crowd in. If you find it difficult nodding off, or just want to rela
Family Flowers Only with Andrea Gilligan
This week I sit down with Andrea Gilligan, well-known broadcaster and host of Lunchtime Live on Newstalk for a deeply personal conversation about the loss of her dad Gerry.Andrea speaks about the incredibly close bond they shared, not just as father and daughter, but as genuine friends. She reflects on his cancer diagnosis, the heartbreak of losing him, and the profound impact his death had on her
Family Flowers Only with Elliot Gannon
This week, I sit down with Elliot Gannon, who shares the life and loss of his son Rí, who was born with SMA Type 1 (Spinal Muscular Atrophy).Elliot speaks about the long and complex journey that followed Rí's diagnosis, the hospital stays, medical challenges, uncertainty, and the precious time they had together as a family. But at the heart of this conversation is not just loss, but love.He speaks
Family Flowers Only with Hannah Kelly
This week I sit down with Hannah Kelly, who shares the loss of her mum and the complex grief that surrounded their relationship.For much of Hannah’s life it was just the two of them. Her father left when she was very young, and she and her mum navigated life side by side. But as the years went on their relationship became more complicated. Hannah speaks openly about her mum becoming increasingly i
Family Flowers Only with Patrick Moloney
This week I sit down with Patrick Maloney from Kerry for a conversation that explores loss in a very different way.While we still speak deeply about grief, this episode moves beyond bereavement and into the loss of identity, the years lost to addiction, and the impact that struggle can have on relationships, family, and self-worth. Patrick speaks openly about his experiences as a young man battlin
Family Flowers Only with Paula Naughton
This week I sit down with Paula Naughton from Roscommon, mum to three boys Archie, George, and Isaac. All three were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD, a life-limiting illness with no cure.Sadly Paula lost her son Archie at just 16 years old. George and Isaac, now also 16, continue to live with the condition as their family fights tirelessly for access to emerging treatments and tria
Family Flowers Only with Kathleen Barrett
This week I sit down with Kathleen Barrett who shares the sudden loss of her husband Ned, who died unexpectedly at home.Kathleen and Ned had been together since they were very young, sharing almost 40 years of love, life, and a beautiful family together. In this deeply moving conversation, Kathleen speaks not only about the heartbreak of loosing him, but also about the enduring connection she stil
Family Flowers Only with Des O'Donnell
This week, I sit down with Des O’Donnell who shares the sudden and devastating loss of his wife Teresa known to many as Terri.Des and Terri were together for nearly 40 years, deeply intertwined in every part of their lives. Terri died suddenly at home after suffering a ruptured aneurysm, life changed in an instant.In this conversation Des speaks about the immediate aftermath of that evening, perfo
Family Flowers Only with Megan Kelly
This week I sit down with Megan Kelly who shares the devastating loss of both her brother Graham and her mum Samantha, who died by suicide just over a year between each other.Megan speaks with incredible honesty about navigating two profound losses so close together, something very few people experience, and the impact it has had on her life. We had an open conversation about suicide, mental healt
Family Flowers Only with Lauren Golden
This week I sit down with Lauren Golden a clinical psychotherapist, who shares the loss of her brother Daniel who died by suicide.Lauren speaks about the complexity of Daniel’s mental health in the lead-up to his death, including his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Despite the challenges he faced she reflects on how she never thought for a moment it would end this way, a realit
Family Flowers Only with Dympna Little
This week I sit down with Dympna Little known to many online as @dimplestilskin, recognised for her sharp wit and dark humour.In this conversation Dympna shares a very different side of herself, speaking openly about the loss of her mum, Lily. With honesty and vulnerability, she reflects on her grief, the impact her mum had on her life, and how that loss continues to shape her.While Dympna is know
Family Flowers Only with Lauren Keaney
This week I sit down with Lauren Keaney who shares the devastating loss of her brother Thomas who died in Australia after being the victim of a one-punch attack.Thomas had emigrated from Galway and Lauren speaks about the shock of losing him so suddenly in such violent circumstances, and the heartbreak of having to bring him home to Ireland.She reflects on the impact of losing someone at the hands
Family Flowers Only with Sarita Egan
This week I sit down with Sarita Egan a mum of four who shares the heartbreaking loss of her husband Mark, who died by suicide. Mark had also battled for a period with severe psychosis on and off whilst coming off anabolic steroids.Sarita speaks openly about the shock of what happened, the guilt she carries, the complexity of Mark’s mental health in those final weeks, and the devastating impact hi
Family Flowers Only with Brittany Dowling
This week I sit down with Brittany Dowling who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her husband Danny Dowling who died suddenly at just 36 following an epileptic seizure known as SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy).Danny was a devoted father to two young boys and a well-known business owner, running a much-loved lodge in the Wicklow Mountains. His sudden death has left an unimaginable
Family Flowers Only with Joanna McNulty
This week I sit down with Joanna McNulty who shares the devastating and very recent loss of her father Joachim McNulty.Joachim was a seasoned fisherman who knew the sea well but tragically lost his life when his car slid down the slipway at Belderrig Pier in Mayo and entered the water. The pier surface had become dangerously slippery due to moss and algae and he was unable to escape the vehicle.Jo
Family Flowers Only with Rachel Gotto
This week I sit down with Rachel Gotto, a trauma and crisis coach and clinical hypnotherapist, who shares both her personal story of loss and the work she now does supporting others through trauma and grief.Rachel speaks about the devastating loss of her husband Nick, who died in a tragic accident when she was six months pregnant with their first child. She also reflects on the earlier loss of her
Family Flowers Only with Tommy Martin
This week, I sit down with Tommy Martin who shares the deeply traumatic loss of his brother Chris who died suddenly from an asthma attack in front of him.Tommy speaks openly about the shock of that moment, trying to save his brother by performing CPR, and the lasting impact that night had on him. He reflects on how the trauma changed him, how he tried to bury his grief, and how eventually it all c
Family Flowers Only with Zöe Williams
This week I sit down with Zoe Williams who shares the heartbreaking loss of her brother Lee who died from cancer at just 27 years old.Zoe speaks openly about what it was like to watch her brother become ill at such a young age, the shock of losing him when life should have been stretching out in front of him, and the deep bond they shared as siblings.She reflects on the aftermath of his death, the
Family Flowers Only with Lyn Kennedy
This week I sit down with Lyn Kennedy for an honest conversation about two very different but equally profound kinds of loss.Lyn first speaks about her wonderful dad Peter who developed depression later in life and struggled openly with his mental health before dying by suicide. She reflects on what it was like to witness that decline, the impact it had on their family, and the shock and grief tha
Family Flowers Only with Evan Daly
This week I sit down with Evan Daly, who speaks with such love and honesty about losing his dad Iggy to an extremely aggressive cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma. Evan’s dad died just one month to the day after his diagnosis, and Evan reflects on the courage and calm acceptance his dad showed from the very beginning and how that strength carried their family through the hardest weeks of their lives.Beyon
Family Flowers Only with Roz McElwee
This week I sit down with Roz McElwee for an honest and moving conversation. Roz speaks about loosing her beloved mom to cancer.Interwoven throughout this episode is a very open discussion about baby loss, fertility struggles, miscarriage, and the journey toward surrogacy. Roz shares her story with such vulnerability, touching on the quiet grief that so many people carry while trying to build a fa
Family Flowers Only with Ailbhe O'Donnell
Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide, mental health struggles, and family estrangement.In this weeks episode I’m joined by Ailbhe O'Donnell, who shares her experience of loss, survival, and the long-term impact of family estrangement.Ailbhe speaks openly about loss in its many forms the loss of family connection, the loss of identity, the loss of belonging and what it means t
Family Flowers Only with Sophia Murphy (Catch Up)
This week’s episode is a catch-up conversation with previous guest Sophia Murphy where we reflect on how she has navigated Christmas and the months since we last spoke.Sophia’s grief journey is complex and deeply personal. In this episode, she speaks about surviving childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father, the long-term impact that trauma has had on her life, and the work she has done ar
Family Flowers Only with Charlotte Finn
This week I sit down with Charlotte Finn, who speaks openly about losing her dad Michael to oesophageal cancer. Charlotte was just 13 when her dad was diagnosed and 14 when he died. Now 19 she reflects back on that time with remarkable honesty and insight.Charlotte shares what it was like to be a teenager watching a parent become ill and how even knowing he was sick she never truly believed he wou
Family Flowers Only with Edel Killilea
This week I sit down with Edel Killilea for an incredibly moving and emotional conversation. Edel’s story is one of huge love and immense loss.She speaks about loosing her baby daughter Sienna who was born with a heart condition and lived for just a few precious days. In the months that followed Edel also lost her baby nephew who lived for only one day and later her brother Kevin to cancer.At the
Family Flowers Only for you the Listeners
This week join me from my home for a solo episode! I wanted to be with you this New Year's Eve to highlight how hard the day can be while navigating grief. As this year comes to an end I also wanted to share a couple of touching voice notes from listeners and past guests. This really feels like a community here and Im just so grateful to be with you all each week as you walk this difficult road.Th
Family Flowers Catch Up with Eimear and Alan Durnan
I caught up remotely with Eimear and Alan who I recorded a full episode with back in April. They spoke so honestly about the devastation of loosing their precious daughter Keeley and today we caught up about how they have been since the podcast aired, how different their Christmas now looks, what they do to honour and celebrate Keeley around Christmas and just reflections on Grief in general. I do
Family Flowers Only with Clara Gardiner
This week I sit down with Clara Gardiner who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her younger sister Jemma. Jemma lived with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and while she was a bright, bubbly, and deeply loved girl, her death following a medical procedure came as a devastating shock. She died from sepsis.Clara speaks openly about how misunderstood her sister’s passing was and how that added an
Family Flowers Only with Peter Shelley
This week I sit down with Peter Shelley who shares the heartbreaking story of losing his baby daughter Aodhla suddenly at just eight weeks old to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).Peter speaks honestly about the shock of that loss, the devastation that followed, and what it’s like to grieve the death of a child as a parent particularly from a father’s perspective. We talk about how grief can loo
Family Flowers Only with Hazellynn Doyle
This week I sit down with Hazellynn Doyle, who speaks so openly about the devastating loss of her dad Derek.He died instantly in a tragic road accident when a HGV lorry made a left-hand turn while he was cycling home from work a week before Christmas.Hazel shares the shock of that day, the grief that followed, and the pain of not being able to say goodbye as his coffin had to remain closed. Her ho
Family Flowers Only with Shannon Gallagher
This week I sit down with Shannon Gallagher who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her partner Eoin to suicide. Shannon speaks with incredible honesty about the shock and trauma of the day she found him and the profound impact that moment has had on her life.She opens up about the PTSD that followed, the fear in the early days, and the long difficult road of trying to understand a loss that
Family Flowers Only with Kitty Maguire
This week I’m joined by Kitty Maguire who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her mam Jo on Christmas Eve. Jo was on her way to Kitty’s house when a drunk driver hit her car and killed her instantly.At a time of year that’s already so emotional for so many Kitty speaks with incredible honesty about the shock of that night, the grief that follows a sudden death, and the empty space her mam has
Family Flowers Only with Matthew Malley
This week I sit down with Matthew Malley from Donegal, who has lived through more loss than most will ever face. Matthew lost his father before he was even born, then his brother Francis to suicide, and later his mother Tessie to dementia leaving him as the only one remaining from his immediate family.In our conversation Matthew speaks openly about going silent after losing his brother believing h
Family Flowers Only recommends Lines of Enquiry
This week, Family Flowers Only is shining a light on Lines of Enquiry, a gripping new Irish true crime podcast presented by retired Garda detective John Sweetman. Each episode takes listeners inside the work of the Garda Technical Bureau, showing how real investigations are built from the ground up. It’s detailed, compelling, and grounded in the realities of what happens behind the headlines. If
Family Flowers Only with Niamh McGuinness
This week, I sit down with Niamh McGuinness who shares the heartbreaking story of her son Jamie who was tragically murdered in April 2023.In this powerful and deeply emotional conversation, Niamh speaks about the unimaginable pain of losing a child in such violent circumstances. She opens up about the ripple effect of male-on-male violence, the stigma that still surrounds it, and the devastating r
Family Flowers Only with Victoria Kirk
This week I sit down with Victoria Kirk, known to many online as @thisenglishhome whose beautiful home and DIY projects inspire thousands.But behind her calm and creative world lies a story of deep loss. Victoria spoke to me about losing her dad to suicide when she was young and the heartbreak, and complexity that came with it. She also shared her experience of living with endometriosis and the gr
Family Flowers Only with Valerie O'Donnell
This week I sit down with Valerie O’Donnell a woman whose story is both heartbreaking and profoundly moving. Valerie lost both her husband David and her son Darren to suicide.In this deeply honest conversation Valerie speaks about how her life changed after their deaths, the layers of loss, the moments of understanding, and the unimaginable difference between losing a partner and losing a child.It
Family Flowers Only with Meagan Johnston
This week I sit down with Meagan Johnston who shares the heartbreaking story of her sister Aoife Johnston. Aoife died from Sepsis after being left to wait over sixteen hours in the emergency department at Limerick Hospital despite being triaged as needing to be seen within fifteen minutes.Meagan speaks with courage about the shock and devastation of her family’s loss, the ongoing fight for answers
Family Flowers Only with Jacinta McIntyre
This week, I’ve teamed up once again with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to share an important conversation about the lasting impact of road tragedies.I sit down with Jacinta McIntyre, who lost her sister Sarah in a car crash caused by a careless driver. Sarah was a passenger in the car which claimed the life of the young girl and the driver, a mum of 7 children. Sarah's death changed Jacinta’s l
Family Flowers Only with Caitlin Beckett
This week I sit down with Caitlin Beckett who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her dad Keith suddenly. He was her whole world, her best friend, her biggest supporter, and the person she could always turn to.Caitlin speaks honestly about the shock of his death, the guilt she carries knowing he was alone when he passed, and the dark days that followed. It’s a deeply emotional and powerful co
Family Flowers Only with Shauna Bohan
This week I sit down with Shauna Bohan, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her fiancé Benny, who died suddenly in front of her. Shauna speaks with raw honesty about the grief of losing the person who was her whole world and about the loneliness that followed.We also have one of the most open and powerful conversations I’ve ever had about mental health. Shauna talks about the darkness she
Family Flowers Only with Darragh O'Neill
This week I sit down with Darragh O’Neill who speaks with honesty and courage about the loss of his sister Ella. At just 21, Ella was vibrant and full of life, but her death by suicide came as a devastating shock to her family.Darragh shares openly about the aftermath of her passing , the grief, the change, and how isolating it can feel when people don’t fully understand. His words offer an import
Family Flowers Only with Althea Griffin
This week I sit down with Althea Griffin who shares her deeply moving story of losing both of her parents at a very young age. By just 15 she had already faced unimaginable grief carrying the weight of loss and trying to find her way in the world without them.It’s an honest and powerful conversation that I think so many will connect with, and one that sheds light on how children grieve and can fee
Family Flowers Only with Laura Hynes
This week on Family Flowers Only, I’ve partnered with the Road Safety Authority to highlight the dangers of drink driving.My guest is Laura Hynes who shares her heartbreaking story of being in a car crash caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Four people were in that car and two lost their lives including Laura’s boyfriend Brendan.Laura speaks with honesty about the devastat
Family Flowers Only with Abaigéal Warfield
This week I sit down with Abaigéal Warfield who shares her moving story of love and loss from a very young age. Abaigéal never knew her father growing up but when she reconnected with him at 16 they built a beautiful relationship. After that she experienced a truly deep loss when her mum Sinead died by suicide while still in her 40s. And sadly in time Abaigéal would also loose her dad Gerry to can
Family Flowers Only with PJ Haverty
This week, I sit down with PJ Haverty, who shares his powerful story of being born in the Mother and Baby Home in Tuam in the 1950s. PJ’s mother was sent there after becoming pregnant out of wedlock, and despite coming back every week for over five years, the nuns refused to return her little boy to her.Fostered out, PJ grew up carrying the loss of his mother, a wound that shaped his life. In time
Family Flowers Only with Helen Groarke
This week on Family Flowers Only , I sit down with Helen Groarke . Helen speaks so openly about the devastating loss of her mum Ada to COPD, a woman she described as her best friend. Just two weeks later, her dad Phelim who had lived with bipolar all his life attempted to take his own life. Helen also shares the challenges that followed, from her son being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition to
Family Flowers Only with Niamh Ruane
This week, I sit down with 17-year-old Niamh Ruane a remarkable young woman whose wisdom and honesty left me in awe. At just 15, Niamh lost her dad to pancreatic cancer, nine months after his diagnosis. Less than 10 months later, her younger sister Roisin was diagnosed with cancer too. As her mum had to care for her sister in Crumlin Hospital Dublin , Niamh had to stay at home with her younger bro
Family Flowers Only with Dermot Joyce
This week, I sat down with Dermot Joyce , who shared the deeply moving story of loosing his wife Audrey to cancer. Dermot speaks so honestly about walking the cancer journey by her side, the fear, the fight, and the heartbreak. He opens up about their son Jack , who was just 8 at the time, and the pain of helping him understand what was happening to his mum and how that honesty has helped Jack to
Family Flowers Only with Chris O'Connor
This week, I sat down with Chris O’Connor , who shared the heartbreaking loss of his dad, James O'Connor who died while attempting to summit Mount Kilimanjaro on the morning of his 40th birthday. Chris is just 17, still in school, but speaks with a depth and honesty that left me completely in awe of him. He talks about the pressure to stay strong, the anger that built up in the aftermath, and ho
Family Flowers Only with Ann Higgins
This week, I sit down with Ann Higgins , a woman who has known profound love and deep loss throughout her life. Anne shares her journey from losing her brother and mother, to the heartbreak of miscarriage and failed IVF. But at the heart of her story is the incredible bond she formed with a young boy in her class while working as a teacher. He was living in residential care, and Anne and her husba
Family Flowers Only with Laura Craine
This week, I sat down with Laura Cra ine , the founder of With Love and Dreams, a beautiful creative business that helps people honour their loved ones through memorial jewellery and flower preservation. Laura is a resin artist who works with cremated remains, funeral flowers, and other deeply personal items to create meaningful keepsakes for those who are grieving. Laura also shares her own story
Family Flowers Only with Orla Clancy
This week, I sit down with Orla Clancy , who shares the story of losing both of her parents, her mum Christina and her dad Noel. Orla was just 13 when her mother died suddenly, a loss that shaped her teenage years. In the years that followed, her relationship with her dad grew incredibly strong as he raised her through life’s hardest and most formative moments. Then, at just 29, Orla faced anoth
Family Flowers Only with Sequana O'Brien
This week, I sit down with Sequana O’Brien , a young woman who has lived through an extraordinary amount of loss and hardship in just a few short years. In 2022, her mother passed away from stage 4 cancer. Just two weeks later, her sister entered a devastating psychosis and, after a long and painful struggle, also passed away six months to the day after their mum. At the same time, Sequana was t
Family Flowers Only with Kathie Stritch
So this week it was my turn!!!!! Im allergic haha. Being the host of this podcast, and creating the whole Grief Ireland space I thought it was time to sit down and share my own story for those who perhaps wouldn't have heard it before. I do know some of you will have but there are so many new people coming across this page and podcast daily that I felt it was needed to put context on who I am and
Family Flowers Only with Kirsty Forde
This week, I sit down with Kirsty Forde , who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her partner, Glenn Fullam . Kirsty and Glenn were young, so in love, and raising their little boy Cruz when Glenn was suddenly diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, a rare and fast-moving illness that doctors couldn’t even name. What followed was a devastating and rapid decline, and Kirsty was left facing the u
Family Flowers Only with Marie Kealy
This week, I sit down with Marie Kealy, who bravely shares the story of her beautiful daughter, Hannah. At just two years old, Hannah’s life was tragically cut short, and what follows is a conversation that is incredibly raw, heartbreaking, and deeply important. Despite her unimaginable grief, Marie and her husband Denis made the powerful decision to donate Hannah’s organs a choice that has go
Family Flowers Only with Caroline Fitzgerald
Most weeks on Family Flowers Only, we sit down with someone who’s experienced an enormous loss, and together we walk through their story of love, grief, and everything in between. But this week, I wanted to take a little pause from the weight of those stories because grief can be so heavy, and I know how much it stirs up for people listening. So I’ve invited someone very special to me on this
Family Flowers Only with Sinead Earls
This week on the podcast, I sit down with Sinead Earls , a devoted mum who shares the story of her beautiful son Cialin . Cialin was a unique and special little boy full of light, curiosity and love. He had autism and faced a number of health challenges in his short life, including scoliosis and epilepsy. In December 2021, Cialin tragically passed away after a sudden epileptic seizure, known as SU
Family Flowers Only with Eoin McGrath
This week, I sit down with Eoin McGrath, an online coach, a recovering addict, and one of the most open and inspiring guests I’ve had on the podcast. Eoin shares his journey through addiction, from being a young boy struggling in school to becoming the class clown to fit in, turning to alcohol for confidence, and eventually spiralling into cocaine use. He speaks so honestly about the realities o
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