Out of Sight With Joe G

Ten years after their last international v Poland Ireland's Blind Football team return to Krakow for the re-match. We chat with team members Ruben Collins and Laurence Noonan. Sean Poland, key team management member and Education Training and Participation Coordinator, Vision Sports Ireland, describes the sport and its core rules.
When Dominic Coyle bought his first tandem in London in 1974 he could never have known that 5 decades later he would meet Bob Auerbach and end up piloting blind and vision impaired stokers across the land. Listen to Domo's mono. 
Michael Lavin is legend. If you're looking for a good yarn or tune Michael's your man. From slow bike races to tandem touring; from scuba diving to sailing; from Braille transcribe to Chair of the National League of the blind; from telephonist to senior software developer. An unmissable interview. 
We also prompt you to complete our 4 minute Listener Survey.
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
Listener Survey Link: https://forms.gle/ubtiwQkF4FrtSfPE6
Blind Football new member registration: Email sean.poland@visionsports.ie
Fighting Blindness Support Group, full list:    https://www.fightingblindness.ie/how-we-can-help/support-services/insight-counselling-service/support-groups/
Email Kathryn Sinnott insightgroups@fightingblindness.ie
Tel 01 6786496
Vision Sports Ireland Home Exercise Programme, (New Season begins 14 September) https://visionsports.ie/home-exercise-series/
Swimming: Email info@visionsports.ie
Credits
Host: Joe Geraghty.
Guests: Sean Poland, Ruben Collins, Laurence Noonan, Dominic Coyle and Michael Lavin.
Art: Katie Geraghty
Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
Editor: Grainne Geraghty
Email: outofsightwithjoeg@outlook.ie
Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog
Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

Kathryn Sinnott, Support Group Coordinator at Fighting Blindness, has loads of indoor activities for us to choose from this autumn. From online support and peer groups, to in person chats, to get up and dance. Our editor, Grainne, talks us through the return of the online Vision Sports Home Exercise classes.
As we mark the new Premiership season we join Joe Lonergan as he takes us to his beloved and highly accessible Villa Park in Birmingham. Joe swops his Vision Ireland tech hat for the claret and blue of Aston Villa. One question we didn't ask Joe: what have Villa and this podcast got in common? We'll both drop in next May!
Tom O'Neill, fresh from celebrating Guide Dogs 50 on his 70th birthday, returns to tells us of Traveleyes, a tour operator who specialise in supporting blind and vision impaired group travel. Tom also explains the pros and cons of taking a guide dog on tour. 
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
Fighting Blindness Support Group, full list:    https://www.fightingblindness.ie/how-we-can-help/support-services/insight-counselling-service/support-groups/ Email Kathryn Sinnott insightgroups@fightingblindness.ie Tel 01 6786496
Vision Sports Ireland Home Exercise Programme, (New Season begins 14 September 2026) https://visionsports.ie/home-exercise-series/
VI Labs: Call 1800 911 110 or email labs@vi.ie.
Traveleyes: https://www.traveleyes-international.com/ Guide Training (Traveleyes) https://www.traveleyes-international.com/guiding-a-blind-person/#:~:text=Here%20at%20Traveleyes%20we%20wanted,is%20partially%20sighted%20or%20blind.
Credits
Host: Joe Geraghty.
Guests: Kathryn Sinnott, Joe Lonergan, Tom O'Neill, Grainne Geraghty
Art: Katie Geraghty
Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
Editor: Grainne Geraghty 
Email: outofsightwithjoeg@outlook.ie
Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog
Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty

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. 
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 vihub@laoissports.ie 
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 claremclaughlinemail@gmail.com
Credits
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: outofsightwithjoeg@outlook.ie
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 vihub@laoissports.ie
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: insightgroups@fightingblindness.ie
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
Credits
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: outofsightwithjoeg@outlook.ie
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?
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
Credits
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: outofsightwithjoeg@outlook.ie
Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog
Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube: Joe Geraghty