Family Flowers Only by Grief Ireland

I caught up remotely with Eimear and Alan who I recorded a full episode with back in April. They spoke so honestly about the devastation of loosing their precious daughter Keeley and today we caught up about how they have been since the podcast aired, how different their Christmas now looks, what they do to honour and celebrate Keeley around Christmas and just reflections on Grief in general. I do hope this conversation will help those who are struggling today x

This week I sit down with Clara Gardiner who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her younger sister Jemma. Jemma lived with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and while she was a bright, bubbly, and deeply loved girl, her death following a medical procedure came as a devastating shock. She died from sepsis.Clara speaks openly about how misunderstood her sister’s passing was and how that added another layer of pain to their loss. She also shares her own experience of grief, the numbness, the fear of not being able to cry or feel anything at all, and the realisation that grief doesn’t always look the way we expect it to.It’s a deeply honest conversation about sibling loss, love, and learning to trust your own way of grieving.For more information on grief retreats and support, visit www.griefireland.com.

This week I sit down with Peter Shelley who shares the heartbreaking story of losing his baby daughter Aodhla suddenly at just eight weeks old to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).Peter speaks honestly about the shock of that loss, the devastation that followed, and what it’s like to grieve the death of a child as a parent particularly from a father’s perspective. We talk about how grief can look different for mums and dads, the silence men often carry, and the importance of speaking openly about their pain.Peter now hosts his own podcast Dads Don’t Cry continuing the conversation around grief and childloss.

This week I sit down with Hazellynn Doyle, who speaks so openly about the devastating loss of her dad Derek.He died instantly in a tragic road accident when a HGV lorry made a left-hand turn while he was cycling home from work a week before Christmas.Hazel shares the shock of that day, the grief that followed, and the pain of not being able to say goodbye as his coffin had to remain closed. Her honesty, love, and strength shine through every part of this conversation.For more information on grief retreats and support, visit www.griefireland.com.

This week I sit down with Shannon Gallagher who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her partner Eoin to suicide. Shannon speaks with incredible honesty about the shock and trauma of the day she found him and the profound impact that moment has had on her life.She opens up about the PTSD that followed, the fear in the early days, and the long difficult road of trying to understand a loss that can never fully make sense.It’s a deeply emotional and courageous conversation, shining a light on the reality so many people live with behind closed doors and the importance of compassion, support, and speaking openly about mental health.For more information on grief retreats and support, visit www.griefireland.com.

This week I’m joined by Kitty Maguire who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her mam Jo on Christmas Eve. Jo was on her way to Kitty’s house when a drunk driver hit her car and killed her instantly.At a time of year that’s already so emotional for so many Kitty speaks with incredible honesty about the shock of that night, the grief that follows a sudden death, and the empty space her mam has left behind every day since.In this episode in collaboration with the Road Safety Authority, we also talk about the devastating impact of drunk driving and the lives changed forever by one decision behind the wheel.For more information on grief retreats and workshops please visit www.griefireland.com.

This week I sit down with Matthew Malley from Donegal, who has lived through more loss than most will ever face. Matthew lost his father before he was even born, then his brother Francis to suicide, and later his mother Tessie to dementia leaving him as the only one remaining from his immediate family.In our conversation Matthew speaks openly about going silent after losing his brother believing he had to “just get on with it.” He shares how damaging that silence became and why reaching out talking and seeking support is so important.It’s an honest, powerful episode with a message that so many people need to hear.For more information on grief retreats, visit www.griefireland.com.

This week, Family Flowers Only is shining a light on Lines of Enquiry, a gripping new Irish true crime podcast presented by retired Garda detective John Sweetman. Each episode takes listeners inside the work of the Garda Technical Bureau, showing how real investigations are built from the ground up. It’s detailed, compelling, and grounded in the realities of what happens behind the headlines. If you’re looking for a true crime show with substance and heart, this is the one to start.https://open.spotify.com/episode/3EzGXohKAgAo9iu9ADiHgU?si=g9f6uACxRTWuHJi069w2qg

This week, I sit down with Niamh McGuinness who shares the heartbreaking story of her son Jamie who was tragically murdered in April 2023.In this powerful and deeply emotional conversation, Niamh speaks about the unimaginable pain of losing a child in such violent circumstances. She opens up about the ripple effect of male-on-male violence, the stigma that still surrounds it, and the devastating reality faced by families left behind.We also speak about the court process, the search for justice, and the strength it takes to keep going when life has been forever changed.⚠️ Please note: this episode contains discussion of violent loss, trauma, and grief that some listeners may find distressing.For more information on grief retreats and support, visit www.griefireland.com

This week I sit down with Victoria Kirk, known to many online as @thisenglishhome whose beautiful home and DIY projects inspire thousands.But behind her calm and creative world lies a story of deep loss. Victoria spoke to me about losing her dad to suicide when she was young and the heartbreak, and complexity that came with it. She also shared her experience of living with endometriosis and the grief of multiple miscarriages.It’s a powerful and emotional conversation about love, loss, and the courage to keep rebuilding in every sense of the word.For more information on grief retreats, visit www.griefireland.com.

This week I sit down with Valerie O’Donnell a woman whose story is both heartbreaking and profoundly moving. Valerie lost both her husband David and her son Darren to suicide.In this deeply honest conversation Valerie speaks about how her life changed after their deaths, the layers of loss, the moments of understanding, and the unimaginable difference between losing a partner and losing a child.It’s a raw, brave, and deeply human episode one that reminds us how vital compassion, awareness, and support are for those living with such pain.The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the guest and reflect her personal perspective. They are not statements of fact about any other individual or family. The conversation is shared for the purpose of understanding and awareness around grief and loss.For more information on grief retreats, visit www.griefireland.com.

This week I sit down with Meagan Johnston who shares the heartbreaking story of her sister Aoife Johnston. Aoife died from Sepsis after being left to wait over sixteen hours in the emergency department at Limerick Hospital despite being triaged as needing to be seen within fifteen minutes.Meagan speaks with courage about the shock and devastation of her family’s loss, the ongoing fight for answers, and the lasting impact of what happened. She also reflects on the inquest process and the change she hopes will come so that no other family has to endure the same pain.It’s an emotional and powerful conversation about loss, accountability, and love.For more information about Grief Retreats visit www.griefireland.com

This week, I’ve teamed up once again with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to share an important conversation about the lasting impact of road tragedies.I sit down with Jacinta McIntyre, who lost her sister Sarah in a car crash caused by a careless driver. Sarah was a passenger in the car which claimed the life of the young girl and the driver, a mum of 7 children. Sarah's death changed Jacinta’s life forever.More than two decades later Jacinta speaks about the grief that never leaves, the ripples of loss that touch every part of a family, and her hope that sharing Sarah’s story might help save others from the same heartbreak.For more information on Road Safety visit WWW.RSA.IEFor more information on Grief Retreats visit WWW.GRIEFIRELAND.COM

This week I sit down with Caitlin Beckett who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her dad Keith suddenly. He was her whole world, her best friend, her biggest supporter, and the person she could always turn to.Caitlin speaks honestly about the shock of his death, the guilt she carries knowing he was alone when he passed, and the dark days that followed. It’s a deeply emotional and powerful conversation about love, loss, and the pain of trying to move forward when your world has changed forever.

This week I sit down with Shauna Bohan, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her fiancé Benny, who died suddenly in front of her. Shauna speaks with raw honesty about the grief of losing the person who was her whole world and about the loneliness that followed.We also have one of the most open and powerful conversations I’ve ever had about mental health. Shauna talks about the darkness she faced, the weight of it all, and how she found the strength to climb back out of that hole.This is a deeply moving episode one that will resonate with anyone who has faced the unimaginable and struggled to keep going.For more information on Grief retreats visit www.griefireland.com

This week I sit down with Darragh O’Neill who speaks with honesty and courage about the loss of his sister Ella. At just 21, Ella was vibrant and full of life, but her death by suicide came as a devastating shock to her family.Darragh shares openly about the aftermath of her passing , the grief, the change, and how isolating it can feel when people don’t fully understand. His words offer an important insight into the impact of loss, especially for young people navigating grief.For more information on THE GRIEF WORKSHOP visit www.griefireland.com

This week I sit down with Althea Griffin who shares her deeply moving story of losing both of her parents at a very young age. By just 15 she had already faced unimaginable grief carrying the weight of loss and trying to find her way in the world without them.It’s an honest and powerful conversation that I think so many will connect with, and one that sheds light on how children grieve and can feel so different in a world with no parents.For more information on the Grief Workshop tickets are now available on www.griefireland.com

This week on Family Flowers Only, I’ve partnered with the Road Safety Authority to highlight the dangers of drink driving.My guest is Laura Hynes who shares her heartbreaking story of being in a car crash caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Four people were in that car and two lost their lives including Laura’s boyfriend Brendan.Laura speaks with honesty about the devastation of that night, the grief that followed, and the lasting impact of losing Brendan in such a sudden and preventable way. It’s a powerful reminder of the lives shattered by drink driving, and why these conversations matter.For more information on the Road Safety Authority please visit https://www.rsa.ie/For more information on THE GRIEF WORKSHOP please visit www.griefireland.com

This week I sit down with Abaigéal Warfield who shares her moving story of love and loss from a very young age. Abaigéal never knew her father growing up but when she reconnected with him at 16 they built a beautiful relationship. After that she experienced a truly deep loss when her mum Sinead died by suicide while still in her 40s. And sadly in time Abaigéal would also loose her dad Gerry to cancer also.She speaks honestly about the impact of grief in its many forms, how it has shaped her life, and the different ways loss can be carried. Abaigéal also shares some of her own poetry, powerful words that bring comfort, honesty, and connection for anyone navigating grief. You can find Abaigéal on Instagram @poetry_by_abaigeal and you can also buy her poetry book directly from this link here https://abaigeal-warfield.sumupstore.com/product/sea-of-grief-bookletVisit www.griefireland.com for more information on upcoming Grief Retreats

This week, I sit down with PJ Haverty, who shares his powerful story of being born in the Mother and Baby Home in Tuam in the 1950s. PJ’s mother was sent there after becoming pregnant out of wedlock, and despite coming back every week for over five years, the nuns refused to return her little boy to her.Fostered out, PJ grew up carrying the loss of his mother, a wound that shaped his life. In time he began to search for his birth mother but alongside the love he had for her came anger and grief for what had been stolen from them both.This conversation shines a light on the deep impact of the Mother and Baby Homes, and on PJ’s journey of loss, love, and survival.*Very brief mention of abuse For more information on Grief Retreats visit www.griefireland.com