Midlands103

20 year old Aoife Byrne from County Laois has never let her Down Syndrome get in the way of her life. As a volunteer for the Irish Red Cross, and now studying with National Learning Network, she tells Ann Marie of her many hopes, among them, her dream of living independently in the country.

The Open Door - Aoife Byrne

Famed Gardener and Writer Lilly Champ from Portarlington guides us through her garden full of buzzing bees, vegetables and blossoming flowers while sharing her thoughts on country living, finding peace and why cows don't cause climate change.

The Open Door - Lily Champ

Ann Marie looks back as she looks forward, reliving some of the most memorable moments since The Open Door first aired.

The Open Door - Looking Back

Our reporter Mairead Brennan has been at Shane Lowry's club Esker Hills this afternoon where they're celebrating his win 

Esker Hills Celebrating Shane Lowry

The Offaly County Board of Comhaltas held their annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday 8th November in the Bridge House Hotel Tullamore. 
The ceremony was broadcast live on Coppers and Brass with a full 2 hour show of live music from members of the Offaly Comhaltas Branch.
Padraig Duffy and Mairead Brennan are your hosts. 

Coppers And Brass - Offaly Comhaltas Awards Ceremony 081115.MP3

Families and friends to those who lost their life to suicide gathered yesterday in the Queen of Peace church in Coosan, Athlone. 

The celebration of light was organised by Console and it gave people a chance to reflect with song, music and poetry. 

A special lighting of candles was also marked by a minutes silence, while music was supplied by Simon Casey, Joe Mc Caul and the Roscommon Solstice Choir. 

Philomena Mulvahill opened the service with a poem. Our reporter Mairead Brennan was there for us. 


Families and Friends gather to remember those who lost their lives to Suicide

The Offaly town of Kilcormac is attempting to develop a sustainable community while improving the health of its 1700 residents. 

Kilcormac Development Association and the Offaly Local Development Company have launched a 5-year plan with a focus on youth needs, the elderly, health, enterprise and education. 

Our reporter Mairead Brennan has been finding out more and began by speaking to Community project manager Sylvia Sweeney 

Kilcormac Community Project

Do you love the Outdoors? 
When Birdman Ricky Whelan got leukaemia he started the Irish Wildlife Trust. 
On our walk through Abbeyleix Bog we discover a lot more than Robins and butterflies. 
His passion for Nature is inspiring.

The Open Door - Ricky Whelan

I would have gone insane without it! Jim Keller kept himself busy over the last 6 months by finishing a Model Village of Portlaoise. 
Not going to the Men's Shed meant he had to do it alone. 
Hear Jim's story on keeping busy on this episode of The Open Door.

The Open Door - Jim Keller

Dolores Keaveny has just self published her 14th book Dee the Bee. 
Ann Marie and Dolores chat about bees, staying positive and embracing change.

The Open Door - Dee The Bee

Surviving Lockdown: Two teens from Monasterevan, Brendan McGlynn and Billy Sinnott taught themselves music production during lockdown as a means of getting through it. 
Hear their uplifting story of strength in the face of adversity and the resuts of their efforts in the form of new song "Defeat" on this episode of The Open Door.
The future is bright.

The Open Door - Music Production

Joe Kerr started his new business 'Joe's Eggs' during lockdown and it has not only helped him get through having no Gym, and no access to facilities but it has made him happy. 
Ann Marie Kelly brings her very eggcited girls to visit Joe's new business!

The Open Door - Joe's Eggs

Birr Military Cemetery & Barracks: 
Over 200 years ago Crinkle was a military hub. 
Akin to Templemore, the Barracks was destroyed by Anti-Treaty forces in 1922. 
Stephen Callaghan has spent the last 10 years uncovering up to 200 names of unknown people buried in Offaly's only military graveyard. On this episode of the Open Door, Stephen takes us through the area with stories of the children buried there, how an officer shot his Sergeant when he was pushed too far and how did the Clock Tower end up in Australia?

The Open Door - Birr Military Cemetery & Barracks

A Westmeath father Aidan O'Rourke talks about the birth of his daughter Alison with Down Syndorme and how it completely tranformed his world.

The Open Door - Aidan O'Rourke

Midlands 103 is the independent local radio station serving counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. All audio on this page is pre-July 2022.

To hear the latest Midlands 103 Podcast content please visit https://www.midlands103.com/podcasts/ or find your favourite talk show on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Kilcormac Community Project

Midlands 103

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