Dads Don't Cry

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Niamh, who shares the story of her brother Stephen and the impact his death has had on her.

Niamh talks about Stephen’s vibrant personality, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and empathy, as well as the memories that made him so loved by those around him. She reflects on his cancer diagnosis, his positivity throughout treatment, and the heartbreak of watching someone she loved become increasingly unwell.

She shares the numbness of hearing that Stephen was gone, the bittersweet memories of his final week at home, and the waves of grief that can arrive unexpectedly. Niamh also talks about returning to work after his death, the challenges of discussing grief in the workplace, and the importance of giving yourself time and space to grieve.

The conversation explores the different ways people experience loss, finding comfort in memories, and the importance of continuing to talk about Stephen and keeping his memory alive.

A deeply personal conversation about sibling loss, grief, love and the importance of continuing to say someone’s name long after they’re gone.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Ciaran, who shares the heartbreaking story of his son Louis and his own experiences of grief.

Ciaran talks about the journey to becoming a parent, including fertility challenges and the sudden losses that he had already experienced, before the joy of pregnancy eventually turned into an unexpected crisis when Louis was born prematurely.

He takes us through the hours and days in NICU as Louis fought for his life, before Ciaran and his fiancée were faced with the unimaginable decision to say goodbye to their son.

The conversation explores the weight of grief, the reactions and responses of those around us after child loss, and the ways people try to support parents through something that can never truly be fixed.

Ciaran also speaks about welcoming a rainbow baby, the hope and anxiety that can exist alongside new parenthood, and the lasting impact of losing Louis. He shares how counselling helped him process his grief.

A raw and honest conversation about Louis, the love of a Dad for his son, and learning to carry grief while continuing to live, parent and remember.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Dylan, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing his own dad, followed closely by the loss of his first son, Hunter.

Dylan talks openly about the anticipation and excitement surrounding Hunter’s arrival, before receiving the unimaginable news that his baby’s heartbeat had stopped at 40 weeks and 1 day. He shares the experience of his partner giving birth to Hunter while grieving, bringing him home, and finding ways to honour his son by sharing his story and keeping his memory alive.

The conversation also explores the complex emotions that can come with a subsequent pregnancy, the different ways parents experience and process grief, and the importance of creating a shared space where loss can be acknowledged and remembered.

Dylan also talks about his campaign to raise awareness around baby loss through the Late Late Toy Show, helping to bring conversations about grief and child loss into the wider public conversation.

A raw and honest conversation about losing a father, losing a son, and finding ways to carry both losses forward.

The podcast is now airing as a special series on RTÉ Radio 1, with new episodes broadcast every Wednesday at 10:00pm.
Missed the live broadcast? You can catch up from around 10:45pm each Wednesday by visiting RTÉ.ie/dadsdontcry or listening on the RTÉ Radio Player.
This podcast feed will continue to be home to the original Dads Don't Cry episodes, featuring honest conversations with bereaved parents, healthcare professionals and experts. If you're new here, there's a wealth of episodes waiting for you, and I'll continue to share updates here from time to time - so make sure you hit Follow to be notified.
You can also keep up to date on Instagram @dadsdontcrypodcast, and if you'd like to share your thoughts or feedback, I'd love to hear from you at dadsdontcrypodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you so much for your continued support. It means the world, and I hope you'll join me for the new series on RTÉ Radio 1.

After a short break, Peter returns with a solo episode to share what's been happening behind the scenes, including the exciting news of a special summer series for Dads Don't Cry.
He opens up about returning to Slane Church for the christening of his daughter Réiltín, the first time back since saying goodbye to Aodhla, and reflects on how grief and joy can exist side by side.
Peter also answers listener questions on some of the biggest topics facing bereaved parents: deciding whether to have another child after loss, living with the complexities of parenting a rainbow baby, feeling "okay" while grieving, the changing support of family and friends, and finding community as a bereaved parent.
An honest, personal episode about carrying hope without leaving your child behind, remembering those we love, and why every grief journey is different.