Sin Scéal Eile

Dare I be so cringe as to say that meeting Emma was like a breath of fresh Éire? She’s a Kildare native who attended gaelscoil but never felt truly fluent until she arrived in college. The love of the Irish language hit her like a tsunami, suddenly she was attending Irish social clubs, ordering pints as Gaeilge, and even changing her entire course to study Irish more.

She now runs Raidió Rí-Rá where she encourages all presenters to use their cúpla focal to deliver pop music to the masses. She also champions new bands to write and sing in Irish, putting on events around Ireland, including her own stage at Electric Picnic.

Emma is an Irish speaking force to be reckoned with. She’s passionate about two things, the Irish language and new Irish music and after a chat with her today I’m also buzzing about both.

On a personal note, I’ve always regretted not being the type of student who grasped Irish in school. I grew up without it completely. However, I try to make a conscious effort in my day to day to use the language more in the hopes that maybe it sticks, but I’m still seriously lacking the skills. This project (and all of my previous personal projects) have always been titled in Irish and English (with the Irish being first), I may not have the language, but I can certainly do my bit to promote and respect it.

Rx
Sin Scéal Eile - That's Another Story was hosted and created by Ruth Medjber, with sound by Ronan Lally. The podcast is produced by Dee Reddy at Poddle Audio with original music by Elaine Mai.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerry has had a wonderfully varied life, and it’s still going strong. He started young, just 16 years old when he began his 30 year career in Aer Lingus. From there, he went on to work for many different companies, even finding himself in the Oireachtas at one stage. It was after a brief stint in Papua New Guinea that he decided to change direction completely and in his 50s, began studying to become a barrister.

In the other room is his partner Caroline, who hilariously likes to provide context and clarifications to Gerry’s stories, including how he managed to (somewhat accidentally) catfish her online!

I have a feeling that I could have chatted to Gerry for hours more and still not got his whole story, as we were leaving he mentions that we didn’t even cover his love of physics or Depeche Mode!

Rx

Sin Scéal Eile - That's Another Story was hosted and created by Ruth Medjber, with sound by Ronan Lally. The podcast is produced by Dee Reddy at Poddle Audio with original music by Elaine Mai.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This project is somewhat reserved for people who don’t usually have a platform. It’s for sharing real stories, from real people, so I was a little bit trepidatious to interview a politician who would normally have their own audience and agenda.

However, our podcast producer, Dee Reddy, assured me that her friend Hazel would give me her truly honest opinion and stories, and I was intrigued to meet an honest politician.

Hazel charmed me from the get-go. Firstly, she suggested meeting in Dublin City Hall, one of my favourite venues and a place that I feel we should all have a bit more access to. Secondly, she turned up wearing a REPEAL jumper. Woman after my own heart.

She’s not like politicians I’ve met before, the ones that crawl to my door and run away when I mention all the things they don’t want me to mention (housing crisis!).

We talk openly, which is refreshing. She’s funny, chatty, relaxed and genuine. She seems to have gone into politics for the right reasons, not just to be a politician like so many who occupy seats at the moment.

She’s a young mother, a woman of colour, and very clued in on all the issues that I feel so affected by right now. She works her charm some more and leaves me feeling that maybe I too should get involved in local politics.

Rx

Sin Scéal Eile - That's Another Story was hosted and created by Ruth Medjber, with sound by Ronan Lally. The podcast is produced by Dee Reddy at Poddle Audio with original music by Elaine Mai.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes you meet people who just have it made. They don’t ask for much from the world and in turn, they’re happy with their lot.

Lisa brought her 3 kids, husband and 2 dogs to live at the foot of the Dublin mountains not too long ago. She now cherishes the peace and stillness she has. The dark skies at night allow her to watch the stars and during the day, in true Disney Princess style, she’s visited by a herd of deer.

It seems idyllic but not without sacrifice either, like being snowed in and left without water when the power goes, but the pros far out weigh the cons.

Rx
Sin Scéal Eile - That's Another Story was hosted and created by Ruth Medjber, with sound by Ronan Lally. The podcast is produced by Dee Reddy at Poddle Audio with original music by Elaine Mai.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s not often that I hike anymore, I’m usually in the car, travelling around Ireland meeting folk for this project. When Cara suggested a walk & talk style of interview I was intrigued.

That’s what she does professionally, she’s a psychotherapist who hikes with her clients. It’s a novel and unique idea. She finds that walking with her clients is a perfect distraction for those who might not be able to sit still and concentrate in an office setting (like the neurodivergent amongst us). It’s also a great way to introduce people to therapy who might be a bit sceptical about it.

Not only do you feel better for chatting, but you also get your steps in and give your lungs some much needed fresh air (if you listen to the end you’ll hear me struggling to survive, proving that I really need to hike more!).

Rx
Sin Scéal Eile - That's Another Story was hosted and created by Ruth Medjber, with sound by Ronan Lally. The podcast is produced by Dee Reddy at Poddle Audio with original music by Elaine Mai.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.