“Anyone who thinks vaping is harmless needs to look a little closer.” That’s how Professor Marcus Kennedy — Consultant Respiratory Physician at Cork University Hospital and President of the Irish Thoracic Society — begins his conversation with host Patrick O’Donnell on Disability Matters. Professor Kennedy joined the show to mark World Lung Day and to […]
On a recent episode of Disability Matters, host Patrick O’Donnell welcomed Claire McGowan, Campaign Manager for We Act, to talk about Culture Night 2025 and how the initiative is helping to showcase Ireland’s charities, community groups, and cultural life. What Is Culture Night? This year marks the 20th anniversary of Culture Night, a nationwide celebration
Culture Night Turns 20: We Act Campaign Shines a Light on Community and Inclusion Read More »
On a recent episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey spoke with Emily Conway, singer, artist, and founder of the DADA Campaign (Disabled Artists, Disabled Academics). Their conversation revealed the realities of building a career in the arts while living with disability, the systemic inequities disabled artists face, and the growing movement to demand recognition,
Precarity Squared: Emily Conway on the DADA Campaign for Disabled Artists Read More »
In this episode of Disability Matters, Patrick O’Donnell speaks with Anna‑Marie Bork, Senior Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at the Asthma Society of Ireland. With more than 450,000 people in Ireland living with asthma, Anna‑Marie brings vital insight into how asthma affects people’s lives — and what needs to change. “Asthma is a chronic and potentially
Breathing Through Barriers: Anna‑Marie Bork on Asthma, Inequality, and Advocacy Read More »
When most people think of coeliac disease, they often associate it with stomach aches and avoiding bread. But in reality, this autoimmune condition is far more complex – and for many, it remains undiagnosed for years, quietly affecting multiple systems in the body. In this episode of Disability Matters, we speak to Sarah Keogh, Consultant
When Máirín Ní Bheacháin stepped onto the TEDx stage for the first time, she wasn’t simply delivering a talk. She was defying every fear, limitation, and obstacle that once stood in her way. As a personal stylist, entrepreneur, and volunteer, her message —rooted in lived experience — is about confidence, resilience, and choosing to live
“You Have a Choice Every Day”: The Story of Máirín Ní Bheacháin Read More »
In this Disability Matters episode, Patrick O’Donnell and John Comiskey speak with Dr. Una Molloy, a Advanced Nurse Practitioner in palliative medicine and representative of the Irish Association for Palliative Care (IAPC). Dr. Molloy offered deep insight into what palliative care truly means and the vital role it plays in supporting people with life-limiting illnesses.
In a recent episode of Disability Matters, Patrick O’Donnell spoke with Rob O’Byrne —fitness coach, entrepreneur, and advocate for inclusive physical education. Rob’s journey, marked by resilience and innovation, began with a life-changing accident at 17 and has since evolved into a mission to redefine accessibility in sport and wellbeing. At 17, while on holiday,
“No Excuses, Just Possibilities”: Rob O’Byrne Brings Inclusive Fitness to Life Read More »
This week on Disability Matters, 12 June 2025, Patrick O’Donnell spoke with John Mitchell, a dedicated volunteer with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, about the organisation’s life-changing work and the powerful bond between people and their guide dogs. Founded in 1976, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind supports individuals with visual impairments and children
