The Big Nose

In exciting news for *The Big Nose* podcast.

I will release my first feature length episode with my very special guest Ciaran Byrne.

Ciaran recently became an ambassador for the Bone Marrow Leukaemia Trust. This is after his own battle with AML in early 2019. With support from his devoted wife Denise and surrounded by friends and family; Ciaran is now focused on the future and sharing his own experiences with others.

From learning of Ciaran’s journey through Instagram, I felt he had an important story to tell. The quickest thing you learn about Ciaran from chatting with him is that there is much more to the man, the son, the husband than being a cancer survivor.

Ciaran is a wave of positivity, chatty as they come and very much a seeker of a good time. This week he joined me via Zoom to share in detail the story of his journey so far. I feel when you listen to it, Ciaran and the words he speaks, has a message in them that we can all take into our own lives.

This inaugural feature episode is my first try at a one to one interview on a feature basis.

I'd like to thank Ciaran firstly for his time and agreeing to do this with me.

I hope you all enjoy it and please click the subscribe button for more

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This week the show visited an old friend of mine in Cape Town, South Africa. I joined Aisling Farrell an old college friend from Dublin City University for a catch up. I asked what brought a girl from Roscommon all way down to the south cape of Africa. We chatted about adapting to life in a new land and all the pros and cons that it includes. Aisling gave me a great insight into South African society in 2020 and of course we discussed the impact of the global pandemic her new home.

However, before we get to the interview, I nosed through the main headlines that featured in across all our news trends and picked out the ones I felt dominated and required "The Big Nose" treatment.

It was no surprise that this week, the commission of investigation into the mother and baby homes took centre stage. All be it for reason that you might not expect. Listen in to find out what I mean.

In the week that the government eventually announced level 5 restrictions nation wide. I compare the level of buy in of the nation when compared to the "in this together" manta we so proudly exhibited in the Spring. Maybe, just maybe division lines are opening.

Of course, I stick my nose into the business of Biden and Trump. I reflect on the last debate and suggest that perhaps it was a pointless as the first debate but for completely different reasons.

Tune in for more detail, subscribe to my podcast and listen in weekly for more content.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-big-nose.

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This week on the show I was delighted to have on the creator of the spectacular Instagram account "The Wild Atlantic Traveller"

Mr. Kevin Dooher .

Kevin is one of the top photographer along the Wild Atlantic Way, hence the Instagram account name "The Wild Atlantic Traveller"

In the chat I wanted to learn where the passion for both going for a ramble and taking photographs came from.

Like so much that we take into older life, Kevin explains the influence of growing up in the wild outdoors had on in the earlier years.

I chatted to Kevin about the mechanics of getting the perfect images. Kevin explains to me how he goes about capturing the images that ultimately end up on his wonderful Instagram account. To every listener I suggest you check out his talents at "The Wild Atlantic Traveller"

I explained to Kevin how, while on a little staycation back in August, I came across him during a trip to Muckross. The take away from that accidental encounter was the fact that he would go to places that I thought where impossible. I asked Kevin off the back of that, how dangerous things can get. After all it is the Wild Atlantic Way and its not always calm seas and clear blue sky.

With the advancements in technology, I wanted to get Kevins take on the level of editing or manipulation that goes on in today's photography. He shares his thoughts on this area as well as his approach to it in the photographs he takes.

Trying to stand out and create a place in the world for what he does is very difficult today in the area of photography. I asked Kevin how he creates a following on Instagram, where it could be said that everyone is a photographer to differing levels of ability. Kevin gives his insight to how "The Wild Atlantic Traveller" is a platform to share his talent for taking beautiful photographs but equally to having a real engagement with people who are genuinely interested.

With harsh travel restrictions in place for seven of the past twelve month. We chatted about how Kevin has managed the challenge of the five kilometre limit. I thought it would be hard to be a traveller within such as small space but Kevin explains how its all about adapting your approach to things and sometimes rediscovering whats at home and appreciating it.

With hope on the horizon, I asked Kevin what's next for "The Wild Atlantic Traveller" To find out that, well, you'll just have to tune in.

Kevin speaks so passionately about what he does, but most strikingly about where he lives. If we could all look around us and take in what we have, the world would surly be a better place. Thanks to Kevin for coming on the show and being the final guest on season two. It was great to finish on a high. Season three will be back in May.

Can I thank all those guest who gave over their time to come on the show, it has been a blast.

Thanks to all those who have tune in and listened

I look forward to having you all back and perhaps doing some interview in person, when season 3 comes along in May

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-big-nose.

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With all things technical failing on me this week, this was a chat that nearly didn't happen.

But walking away from my Zoom chat with the singer song writer Megan O'Neill, I felt as if all was right with the world again.

I first came across Megan, perhaps like many, when she appeared on my television screen after I decided to have another crazy Friday night in with The Late Late Show. Her performance of Jim Croces, 1973 classic, Time In A Bottle, left an indelible mark on my mind. It was in that moment as the last note was played on the piano, that I felt I had to learn more about this talented musician.

So I chanced my arm, and this time it paid off! So This week on The Big Nose Podcast I am delighted to say I chatted to singer song writer and all round positive person Megan O'Neill.

In this episode you will hear us talk about the past 12 months. Megan explains how, while her industry has been on its knees, that she has never been busier. Megan talks me through decisions she had to make and how she adapted to the impact of COVID 19 on her 2020 plans.

Like all my guests, I like to get a sense of the person I'm talking with. I asked her about what it was like growing up in Kildare and how much of a role music played in those formative years. Megan shares the importance of her Mothers influence on her at this time and the exposure she got to some of the most well known woman in music at that time.

I asked Megan weather she had a light bulb moment when she new that her interest was more than just a teenage phase and the potential to be a career path through music. Listeners will hear the story of the importance of the Irish Mammy, even when you are away in college at UCD and how the chance of a scholarship started a shift in the cosmos that perhaps was the first step along that un-returning road.

For the past number of years Megan has been living away from Ireland. I put it to her that to be a successful Irish artist, it's important for your career to get away from Ireland. Megan shared her thoughts on this in a very open and honest fashion. Listeners will hear her story of taking the road less traveled at 21 and exposing herself to a life in Nashville. Megan goes on to explain how this was a whole life changing experience.

With the release of her second album " Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty" and with it being the week of St Patrick I wanted to flesh out the meaning behind the very emotional song that is "Ireland". Listeners will be treated to a beautiful explanation by Megan and perhaps for those that are aboard now or have spend time living abroad will be able to feel it pull on your heart string as it perfectly encapsulates that feeling of being away from Ireland.

There is so much more that Megan and I chatted about, from her performance on The Late Late Show, and not being able to party in Coppers afterwards to the challenges that she faced covering a song she felt so protective of. Megan was a breath of fresh air to chat to on a Friday evening. So generous with her time to me and so refreshingly open and honest in the questions I put to her.

I would implore everyone to check out her music at megan-oneill.com where you can purchase her music. Megan is also across all major social media sites so check her out there. Whatever you do, just don't miss out on the opportunity to brighten up your day by exposing yourself to the rising star that is Megan O'Neill

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-big-nose.

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This week on the show I got the opportunity to catch up with an old friend.

When I say an old friend, I'm referencing the length of our friendship and not her age.

She is none other than Grace McKibben Rooney, know to me as the person who once guessed my age to be 35 when I was indeed just 26.

Grace is currently living in the Welsh town of Bangor. Never heard of it? Me either.

Listen in to find out how Grace ended up there studying in its University.

I spoke to Grace about the reality of studying away from home and asked if the attraction of the freedom it offers equates to its reality.

We discuss student life, the social side, the facilities, the University and the make up of the student body.

The chat exposed the surprising reach of the little known University.

Grace explains how she wasn't the only Irish aboard, as often is the case.

She reflects on the good, the bad and sometimes the ugly of being an outsider in a foreign University.

Okay, there was county jersey nights and while you might take Grace to be a true blue...you wouldn't see her sporting a Dubs jersey in Coppers of a night out.

I couldn't pass up the chance to mention the elephant in the room. We chatted Brexit! I wanted to know, what, if any impact it had on her life in Wales. How it was discussed between the student body as well as the fall out it created between Remainers and Leavers.

Listen in to our chat about the level of uncertainty it still casts upon the University and the questions it raises for the future.

Grace is ever the positive person and was a boost of energy to chat to once again. Her journey to date is reflective of so many students studying aboard and the insights she shares in the chat are great for all. I'd like to thank Grace for her time, her thoughts and I hope some day soon we can get together to wear our county jersey's while we consume some ice cold cider.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-big-nose.

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