Sin Scéal Eile

After an epiphany on holidays, Frances packed in her manic life in hospitality and started a slow life, in the form of The Slow Concept. It’s a clothes shop in Dingle that sells Irish made and sustainable designs. With her own design work, she has managed to save 12 tonnes of towels and sheets from landfill, turning them into beautiful hand painted swim ponchos. Her workshop is tucked away out the back of her store, meaning the clothing only has a few feet to travel before it meets it’s new owners. RxSin 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.

You know those beautiful pianos you see in various train stations around? They’re the brain child of John Murphy (and his wife). He petitioned Irish Rail to invite a bit of musical goodness into people’s commutes. As a professional piano tuner, it gives him no greater joy than hearing people play a (tuned) piano in the wild, especially watching young kids getting the opportunity to practice before and after school. John has a bit of an engineer’s mind. He opens the piano and shows me the complexity of the mechanisms. Every little vibration needs to be carefully modified to make it sound as beautiful as it does. A true art. RxSin 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.

Sorcha is a musician, a mother and a Kerry native (even though sometimes she feels like a bit of a blow in). She grew up being part of quite a different family than what was the norm in West Kerry in the 90s, but it’s something that she prides herself in these days. With both parents being uilleann pipers, her childhood was soundtracked by what she describes as intense and sometimes melancholic music, but also extremely Irish.With ten years under her belt as part of the band Walking on Cars, she now makes her own music, and lives a settled life, in her lovely home with an incredible view. RxSin 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.

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.

Who knew hitting up a random swing dancing lesson could change your life? Christian fell in love, head over brogues, as soon as he laid eyes on the burlesque star, Sorcha. He swung her off her feet in the workmans, now, as a family, they cut a fine figure. They embrace a rockabilly/vintage kinda look that makes them truly unique at the school gates. Christian has lived a life and a half, from delivery driving, to becoming a master barber and now a master spray painter (of airplanes no less). He’s a storyteller at heart, bringing me on a journey with his tales, but what his story really comes down to is a lesson we all need to learn. When to slow down, reset, rest and mind your mental health. RxSin 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.

I am absolutely fascinated by Lesley Bond’s story. We met in Woodstack Café, which is nestled away in the woods in Kildare and feels like you’ve been transported back in time, and after hearing Lesley’s story it makes total sense. Lesley once held one of the most coveted (and viral) jobs in Ireland. We’re all seen it, we’ve all dreamed of it. Herself and her (now) husband, got hired as the caretakers of the Great Blasket island in 2019. They lived for six months, without electricity, wifi, or even a fridge. They spent their evenings in the tiny cottage, reading books by candlelight. In the daytime they’d welcome visitors to the island, serving them cups of tea (heated by their wee gas stoves), having the chats and providing some rudimentary accommodation as well. Lesley’s new book explains it all (and is so beautifully written too). RxSin 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.

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. RxSin 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. RxSin 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!).RxSin 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.

Ryan is 27 but has a life tougher than most will ever know. His parents were only children themselves when they had him, just 15 & 17. They brought Ryan up in a house where he was surrounded by drug use and other harmful situations. But Ryan made a decision early on not to let his challenges define him. He worked hard, attended school and got his leaving cert. However, after years of battling just to live a normal life, he got himself caught up in a world he always tried to avoid. He sits here with me today and speaks so proudly and passionately but with lots of humility too, he knows that without the help of his grandparents and extended family, and even his school teachers, his life could have taken a very dark path.He’s an incredibly brave young man who has been clean and sober since September. Each day he tries to be a good role model for his younger siblings, so that they know how much they can accomplish in life. RxSin 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.

Declan and his mates have formed an “Old Dads Club”. He was 48 when he had his first child, and his second one soon after. We took around the Docklands where Declan has worked for the past 27 years, and he tells me about the joys of fatherhood, and the need to keep fit to keep up with his little ones. He starts his day at 5am, so that he can be home in good time to play with the kids, help with the housework and do storytime at bed.                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.

For this daily portrait and podcast project, I’ve invited people to tell me their stories. These can be any stories at all that people wish to share and be remembered for, anything that’s on their mind or that they feel defines them. I could not have anticipated the sheer volume of people who have been in touch who have been diagnosed with some form of cancer. It seems to be the illness that we’re suffering from the most and it’s wholly heartbreaking to see. We’ve chatted to people who have terminal cancer and who are getting treatment while trying to maximise their last few months and years. We’ve also chatted to people who have lost loved ones because of cancer and they’re trying to pick up the pieces of their lives. Cancer is a horrendous scourge that seemingly every single person has been in some way affected by. Peter Cooney has Stage Two Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but you won’t find him wallowing in despair, in fact, he’s happier now than he has ever been. The cancer that Peter has is thankfully very treatable with a high success rate. His team are confident that he will soon be cancer free, but what the cancer has done for him is truly remarkable.“I'm a naturally grumpy person, but I actually feel far more positive since getting the diagnosis. In the office it would have been well known that I was surly and the lads would always try to wind me up, make me crack. After the diagnosis, I whinge less. Nothing is really worth getting worked up about.” Peter has tried to not let his day to day life change too much, while still taking the treatment seriously, however he has noticed that the people around him have changed. “Everyone's come out of woodwork to show their support, even people I’ve not talked to in years.”“I think when you get diagnosed you really start to see the love around you, and the support that you have and it’s been incredible. I just get overly emotional now about the kindness and the love that people show. It’s turned me into a much more positive person than I’ve ever been.”Peter initially thought that the cancer diagnosis may have helped him write some dark and depressing music for his metal band, but he jokes “I thought, great, here’s a chance to play on the misery and use it in the band, but it just never came, I’ve got absolutely nothing and will have to switch to writing in major keys.”Peter is constantly seeing the funny side of his whole experience. He shaved his head when his hair fell out, but jokes that the only bad thing is now he looks more like his brother. He tells me stories about being in the hospital wards with some elderly men and how he found their constant chatter to be hilarious, as opposed to annoying, and how he was sent the worlds biggest pizza while on the ward and the embarrassment of having to carry it through the hospital.“My mates did a whip around and sent me sixteen hundred quid on Revolut. And I was like, you know, cancer treatment’s free?. He plans to have a massive party at the end of the year, put some cash behind the bar, and celebrate with his mates who have seen him through.“Like don't get me wrong, it is shit at times. But it's a minor inconvenience for six months. Whereas I get to then just continue with my life with a whole new perspective, new personality,  and I’m grateful for that, other people aren't that lucky.”Ruth’s Sin Scéal Eile – That’s Another Story conversations are available as a podcast and at sinscealeile.comRxSin 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.

I can’t believe I got to meet the winner of Cabra’s Lovely Gardens competition. Ray moved into his beautiful home not too long ago and found himself in love with ‘Fabra’. The neighbours, the location, but mostly, the joy of having a bit of space to start a garden. It’s quite the achievement these days to be able to have a dream home like Ray’s, and he shares some handy tips to how he managed to snag his wee oasis, like bidding in December when most other people have clocked off for Christmas. He also trusted his mate to design it (a mate who had never designed a house before!)When he’s not cooking up a storm in his café/catering business, Slice, he’s entertaining mates at his kitchen island, always making sure to send them home with goodies from the garden. We happily walked away with all sorts of greens to keep us going.RxSin 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.