Disability Matters – Thursday, 5 June 2025 on Phoenix 92.5FM
On this week’s edition of Disability Matters on Phoenix 92.5FM, presenters Patrick O’Donnell and John Comiskey spoke with Galway-based actor, broadcaster, gaeilgeoir Mary Tynan. Diagnosed with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) in 2004, Mary shared her story of creative resilience, how disability shaped her career, and her ongoing mission to raise awareness through the arts and media.
Mary’s journey with ME began suddenly after a viral illness that “never went away.” She recalls, “At the beginning I was probably at the milder end, but over time things gradually worsened.” Once working in the UK as an actor and teacher, Mary eventually returned to Ireland in 2015 after realising she could no longer work or maintain an independent life in London. Living in rural Galway limited her access to services — the nearest bus stop was six miles away.
“I didn’t do anything for five years,” she explained. “My energy was all used up before I even got anywhere.” That changed with the pandemic, when the world moved online. “Covid was excellent for housebound artists — suddenly, we could take part in workshops across the world. It levelled the playing field.”
During lockdown, Mary launched what she believes was the world’s first online arts centre, Notes from Xanadu, featuring visual art, video, music, comedy, podcasts, and more. Its virtual theatre, Xanadu Online Theatre, allowed her to perform again: “The way you went on stage was to turn on your camera. It was the first time I’d performed in five years.”
This innovative step led to new creative ventures. In 2023, as part of a master’s programme at the University of Galway, Mary produced a short film called “Na Doirse“, meaning The Doors.
“Because it’s only a ten-minute film, it’s like a one-woman show but on screen rather than on stage,” Mary explains. “It just tells a story about the problems that the doors cause in this particular person’s life and it culminates in a suicide attempt. She’s telling this story to a psychiatrist in a hospital.”
Though fictional, “Na Doirse“ is deeply rooted in Mary’s lived experience as a wheelchair user and person with ME. “It’s a piece of fiction, a live-action movie — even though there’s not much action. But it’s also a piece of campaigning. It gives people information and, hopefully, makes them think.”
“They’re just general, everyday things that people don’t think of — or if they do, they assume that a disabled person has someone with them. They never think you might be doing something on your own.”
Mary describes struggles with heavy doors, inaccessible toilets, and broken ramps — the “little things” that collectively make independence difficult. Even something as simple as entering a public toilet may require assistance. “Most toilets in Galway I can’t use unless someone is with me,” she notes.
Despite these challenges, Mary continues to pursue her passion for the arts. “Acting is my passion and always has been. I’d love to do more — so if anybody is looking for a middle-aged wheelchair-using actress who speaks fluent Irish, get in touch!”
Mary also hosts two radio shows on Flirt FM, a community station in Galway:
- Je (Ten): A guest chooses ten songs, sharing stories behind the music and their connection to the Irish language.
- Ráinúch na Sáachthána: A weekly digest of three news stories — international, national, and local — which Mary edits, adapts, or translates.
She also occasionally reads the news on air and completed a placement with TG4’s Nuacht Mhallachta as part of her MA.
Mary’s connection to the Irish language runs deep. Though originally learned at school, she rediscovered her grá for Gaeilge in London while preparing for auditions for BBC Northern Ireland. “I fell madly in love with the language again,” she said. She became part of Irish-speaking social groups and now integrates Gaeilge into much of her artistic work.
The Notes from Xanadu Arts Centre continues to host content across artforms, from sketch comedy and puppetry to live music and podcasting. Though the virtual theatre is quieter post-pandemic, Mary hopes to revitalise it with an online premiere of Nadirshah soon.
Looking forward, she’s working on ideas for a new one-woman show and another film project — an Irish-language adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
Beyond her creative work, Mary champions the work of the ME Association of Ireland, led by Tom Kindlon and his mother Vera. “They do amazing work,” Mary said, “sending medical info packs to hundreds of GPs, organising events, and fighting misinformation. Most doctors still don’t know what ME is — some have never heard of it.”
Though the Association runs on limited resources, Mary describes the ME community in Ireland as “very kind and welcoming.” She recommends the ME Ireland website to anyone affected by the condition.
Mary’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and quiet determination. Through theatre, film, radio, and advocacy, she continues to create space — both online and off — for disabled artists and voices to be heard.
Learn more: 🌐 notesfromxanadu.org, theatre.notesfromxanadu.org.
Follow Mary on Instagram @mary4disability.