Out of Sight With Joe G

From MayFest to Mizen2Malin to the Meta Marathon Man this episode criss-crosses Ireland and southern England.
We hit the spot vox popping with 12 Vision Sports Ireland MayFesters including a couple just married. We also meet the man who has attended over 30 MayFests and his friend who travels from Switzerland each year to provide support.
Maureen Madden takes us on the gruelling Mizen2Malin cycle to raise funds for Irish Guide Dogs. Tandem stoker Maureen tells us of being wiped out by weather in Cork and Kerry but preparing the sun screen for the hills of Donegal.
Clarke Reynolds recalls his unique history making Brighton Marathon. He donned the Ai Ray-Bans and availed of support from the Be My Eyes team to avoid hitting the wall. But, how did he pull this together?
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
Trip to Tipp: Billy Shanahan email [email protected], phone 087 9253225
Old Wesley VI Rugby Team Trip to Japan: https://www.idonate.ie/event/IrelandVIRugby
Mizen2Malin (Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind): https://mizen-2-malin-2025.raiselysite.com/
 Credits
Host: Joe Geraghty.
Guests: Maureen Madden, Clarke Reynolds, Alan and Dawn Barber,  Adam Duffy, Grace Muldowney, Rahim Nazarali, Lughaidh Ó Móráin, Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Rebecca Kerr, Sarah Nolan and her daughters Aine, Katie and Freya.
Art: Katie Geraghty
Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
Editor: Grainne Geraghty
Email: [email protected]
Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog
Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn and Instagram: Joe Geraghty

As we celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Vision Sports MayFest we look back on those magic moments, how it began.
We meet the five surviving blind and vision impaired people  - Pat Kelly, Gerry Campbell, Martin Kelly, Tony Sweeney and Tony Scanlon - who participated in the 1978 UK National Athletics Championships in Scotland. 
With little preparation they were frightened by the blast of the starter's gun and struggled out of starting blocks wearing rubber dolly slippers instead of racing spikes. Determined to succeed this group went on to form the nucleus of a team who became a world force in para-athletics within six years.
The seeds sown in Scotland grew to form our national sports governing bodies as well as 45 years of May Games/MayFest.
From the boat to Stranraer in '78 to the bus to Santry in '81 we journey with the legends who made it all happen.
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
MayFest, Saturday 16 May, UCD and Old Wesley Rugby Club, Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/
Credits
Host: Joe Geraghty.
Guests: Gerry Campbell, Martin Kelly, Pat Kelly, Tony Scanlon and Tony Sweeney.
Out of Sight! book insert voice over artist: Sarah Pyle.
MayFest Heaven narrator: Dominic Coyle.
Art: Katie Geraghty
Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
Editor: Grainne Geraghty 
Email: [email protected]
Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog
Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn and Instagram: Joe Geraghty

Hop, skip and jump into Vision Sports Ireland MayFest '26 – the legendary annual multi-activity leisure carnival - with Sara McFadden and Kristina Millar.
It's MayFest mayhem as event organiser Sara invites blind/vi people, family and friends to get lost in orienteering, rock climbing, tennis, weight lifting, golf, athletics, rugby and finishing with a BBQ.  
It's fun, fun, fun as Kristina tells us her favourite part of MayFest is meeting and greeting. Off track she chats accessible language learning. Kristina also talks of her recovery from a ruptured ACL and torn meniscus to preparing for the Women's Mini Marathon.  
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
MayFest Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/
Credits
Host: Joe Geraghty.
Guests: Sara McFadden and Kristina Millar.
Art: Katie Geraghty
Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
Editor: Grainne Geraghty 
Email: [email protected]
Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog
Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn and Instagram: Joe Geraghty

Blind-sided after losing the sight of his left eye Ian McKinley rucked on to become a rugby Six Nations international. His second sight came about through adaptations including pioneering sports goggles. Ian talks us through his game of two halves from the Leinster Rugby Academy to Virgin Media pundit.
It's love all as Stuart Haxell, an international blind/vi tennis player, goes to court on his favourite sport. He explains how the adaptive game is played and invites us along to the Irish National Blind/Vi Tennis Championships in Shankill on the May Bank Holiday weekend. 
Is love all around as content creator Dave Redmond tackles blind dates? Dave, who is registered blind, explores various dating apps and then checks out speed dating. Love at first sight happens but what of love with no sight? 
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
MayFest Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/
Audio Description Six Nations Rugby feedback: email [email protected]
Dundalk Walk: Call Pat Kelly 087 7708200 / Maureen Madden 085 2656972
Trip to Tipp: Thurles Sarsfields GAA Club, Saturday, 27 June. Contact Vision Ireland email [email protected] phone 01 9133170
Irish National Blind/VI Tennis Championships: 2-3 May, Shankill Tennis Club, Quinn's Road, Shankill, Co. Dublin. attendance FREE. Registration to play, conditions apply:  https://ti.tournamentsoftware.com/find?StatusFilterID=2&DateFilterType=0&StartDate=2026-01-30&EndDate=2026-05-03&Distance=15&page=1
Digi Coaching: to register email [email protected]
Podcast: Tech Docs, featuring Stuart Haxell and Jade McCormack
Podcast: Talking Technology, featuring David Redmond,
Credits
Host: Joe Geraghty.
Guests: Ian McKinley, Stuart Haxell and Dave Redmond.
Reporter: Jade McCormack,
News and Wellness Tips: Grainne Geraghty
Art: Katie Geraghty
Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
Editor: Grainne Geraghty 
Email: [email protected]
Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog
Socials:Out of Sight with Joe G on Facebook and TikTok. Also, checkout Joe Geraghty on Linkedin and Instagram.

Bobbie Hickey, content creator and influencer, discusses challenges faced by blind/vision impaired people in social situations; Veronica Coffey takes us on a group stroll on the Maynooth Greenway while Clare McLaughlin takes us behind the "Seen Unseen" art project.
Hello Bobbie
27 years old Bobbie Hickey has undergone more than 200 eye procedures as she journeyed through the phases of sight loss. As a student, and long cane user, she encountered periods of the sound of social silence. But, when she became a guide dog owner everyone wanted to say "hello". Bobbie's take on making connections is fascinating and a "must listen".
Hello Veronica
Over 40 years ago Michael and Theresa Lavin, with the National League of the Blind of Ireland, led the way in east coast group walks. COVID could have put an end to it all but in stepped Veronica Coffey. We joined her for a walk on the wild side from Confey to Maynooth.
Hello Clare
"Seen Unseen" in an art project which can be heard, not unheard, as we chat with artist Clare McLaughlin. Concentrating on tactile, touch and audio Clare developed the concept in 2014. The project works for all but is particularly suited to blind/vision impaired people.
Hello, Goodbye
In our final item, Out of Sight News, Jade and Joe highlight Vision Sports MayFest, Six Nations audio description and the blind marathon runner who will be guideless. Grainne's wellbeing tip is all about kindness.  
 
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
Maynooth Greenway Walk: Veronica Coffey email [email protected]. Phone 087 6201836
"Seen, Unseen": Clare McLaughlin email [email protected] phone 086 3091653
MayFest Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/
Irish Blind Golf: https://irishblindgolf.ie/
Audion Description Six Nations Rugby feedback: email [email protected]
Dundalk Walk: Call Pat Kelly 087 7708200 / Maureen Madden 085 2656972
Paracycling Come and Try: Cycling Ireland on socials / phone 0 18551522
Coffee Morning: Fighting Blindness, email [email protected]
Credits
Host: Joe Geraghty.
Guests: Bobbie Hickey, Bob Auerbach, Veronica Coffey, Michael Mooney and Clare McLaughlin
News: Jade McCormack, Grainne Geraghty
Art: Katie Geraghty
Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
Editor: Grainne Geraghty
Email: [email protected]
Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog