Family Flowers Only by Grief Ireland

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During the pandemic I created a community on Instagram called Grief Ireland. It was following the death of my sister Elaine and her husband Pa. I found Grief to be still a taboo subject, unspoken, and a topic that not many wanted to discuss. Unless of course those who were in "the club no-one wants to be in". But to find those people was difficult. So I went on a mission to open the conversation, to comfort those who mourn, to educate those who don't, to hold space for others to talk about their Grief, Love and Loss and to remember our loved ones and ensure that they would never be forgotten.

  1. Family Flowers Only with Des O'Donnell

    3 MAY

    Family Flowers Only with Des O'Donnell

    This week, I sit down with Des O’Donnell who shares the sudden and devastating loss of his wife Teresa known to many as Terri. Des and Terri were together for nearly 40 years, deeply intertwined in every part of their lives. Terri died suddenly at home after suffering a ruptured aneurysm, life changed in an instant. In this conversation Des speaks about the immediate aftermath of that evening, performing CPR, the arrival of emergency services, and the deeply distressing experience of coming under suspicion due to the circumstances. While later confirmed through a postmortem, this period added another layer of trauma to an already unimaginable loss, and meant he was unable to be with Terri in those first moments after her passing. This is a powerful and emotional conversation about sudden loss, love, and the complex realities that can follow in the wake of tragedy. For more information about Spousal Loss Retreats visit www.griefireland.com

    1hr 30min
  2. Family Flowers Only with Megan Kelly

    26 APR

    Family Flowers Only with Megan Kelly

    This week I sit down with Megan Kelly who shares the devastating loss of both her brother Graham and her mum Samantha, who died by suicide just over a year between each other. Megan speaks with incredible honesty about navigating two profound losses so close together, something very few people experience, and the impact it has had on her life. We had an open conversation about suicide, mental health, and the reality of grieving in such complex circumstances. This is a deeply important conversation, helping to bring understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage more open conversations around mental health. ⚠️ Content note: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening. If you have been affected by anything in this episode, support is available:📞 Samaritans (Ireland): 116 123 (freephone, 24/7)📱 Text HELLO to 50808 (Crisis Text Line Ireland) For those seeking support or connection in their own grief journey: • My Spousal Loss Retreat Weekend is now open, you can find more information at:www.griefireland.com • You can also learn more about my May 5K a Day Challenge and join the team here:https://forms.gle/11PTTxQsAXd3icBXA

    1hr 3min
  3. Family Flowers Only with Lauren Golden

    19 APR

    Family Flowers Only with Lauren Golden

    This week I sit down with Lauren Golden a clinical psychotherapist, who shares the loss of her brother Daniel who died by suicide. Lauren speaks about the complexity of Daniel’s mental health in the lead-up to his death, including his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Despite the challenges he faced she reflects on how she never thought for a moment it would end this way, a reality that so many families can relate to. Drawing from both her personal experience and her professional background Lauren offers a deeply insightful conversation around mental health, suicide, and grief. She also speaks about her own grieving process and how she found a way to move through her loss in a way that felt healthy and supportive. This is an honest and important conversation that brings both understanding and compassion to a topic that is often difficult to speak about. You can find Lauren on Instagram @LaurenGolden For more information on Grief Workshops and Grief Retreats please visit www.griefireland.com

    55 min
  4. Family Flowers Only with Dympna Little

    12 APR

    Family Flowers Only with Dympna Little

    This week I sit down with Dympna Little known to many online as @dimplestilskin, recognised for her sharp wit and dark humour. In this conversation Dympna shares a very different side of herself, speaking openly about the loss of her mum, Lily. With honesty and vulnerability, she reflects on her grief, the impact her mum had on her life, and how that loss continues to shape her. While Dympna is known for her humour, this episode shows the depth behind it, how laughter and grief can exist side by side. She allows herself to go to places we don’t often see, offering a powerful and human insight into loss. This is a heartfelt and honest conversation about love, grief, and the many ways we cope.

    1hr 16min
  5. Family Flowers Only with Lauren Keaney

    5 APR

    Family Flowers Only with Lauren Keaney

    This week I sit down with Lauren Keaney who shares the devastating loss of her brother Thomas who died in Australia after being the victim of a one-punch attack. Thomas had emigrated from Galway and Lauren speaks about the shock of losing him so suddenly in such violent circumstances, and the heartbreak of having to bring him home to Ireland. She reflects on the impact of losing someone at the hands of another person, the shock, the pain, and the deep sense of injustice that can come with that kind of loss. This is a powerful and emotional conversation about sibling grief, sudden loss, and learning to live with something that should never have happened. For more information on our Grief Workshops visit www.griefireland.com To watch this video podcast episode in full - https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

    1hr 5min

  6. 29 MAR

    Family Flowers Only with Sarita Egan

    This week I sit down with Sarita Egan a mum of four who shares the heartbreaking loss of her husband Mark, who died by suicide. Mark had also battled for a period with severe psychosis on and off whilst coming off anabolic steroids. Sarita speaks openly about the shock of what happened, the guilt she carries, the complexity of Mark’s mental health in those final weeks, and the devastating impact his loss has had on her and their children. She shares her experience with honesty and courage, shedding light on a topic that is often misunderstood and rarely spoken about. This is a deeply emotional conversation about grief, mental health, and the ripple effect it continues to have on a family. ⚠️ Content note: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening. If you have been affected by anything in this episode, you can contact Samaritans for support:📞 Freephone 116 123 (Ireland & UK)🌐 www.samaritans.org For more information on grief support and resources, visit www.griefireland.com. You can find Sarita on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sarita_innerlightpsychotherapy/

    1hr 24min
  7. Family Flowers Only with Brittany Dowling

    22 MAR

    Family Flowers Only with Brittany Dowling

    This week I sit down with Brittany Dowling who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her husband Danny Dowling who died suddenly at just 36 following an epileptic seizure known as SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy). Danny was a devoted father to two young boys and a well-known business owner, running a much-loved lodge in the Wicklow Mountains. His sudden death has left an unimaginable void in Brittany's life and in the lives of those who knew and loved him. In this episode Brittany speaks about the shock of losing Danny so unexpectedly, the reality of navigating life and motherhood in the aftermath, and the deep love and village that continues to carry her through. This is a powerful and emotional conversation about sudden loss, family, and learning to keep going when everything changes in an instant. For those who may need support in their own grief journey: • Tickets for my Parent Loss Grief Workshop in Athlone – April 19th can be found here: https://www.griefireland.com/grief-retreat/p/grief-workshop-for-partner-loss-athlone • You can also learn more about my community membership After the Flowers, where members can access full video episodes, support resources and a private community space: https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

    1hr 23min
  8. Family Flowers Only with Joanna McNulty

    15 MAR

    Family Flowers Only with Joanna McNulty

    This week I sit down with Joanna McNulty who shares the devastating and very recent loss of her father Joachim McNulty. Joachim was a seasoned fisherman who knew the sea well but tragically lost his life when his car slid down the slipway at Belderrig Pier in Mayo and entered the water. The pier surface had become dangerously slippery due to moss and algae and he was unable to escape the vehicle. Joanna joins me in the very acute early stages of grief to speak about what happened, the shock and devastation of losing her dad in such preventable circumstances, and the reality of navigating grief so soon after a tragedy. Alongside sharing her father’s story Joanna is determined that no other family should experience the same loss. She is now advocating for proper maintenance and safety standards across Ireland’s piers so that something like this cannot happen again. This is an incredibly raw and powerful conversation about grief and also about the need for safety measures to be implimented immediately You can support Joanna’s campaign by signing her petition here:https://c.org/ZNbyTcyjdg For those who may need support in their own grief journey: • Tickets for my Parent Loss Grief Workshop in Athlone – April 19th can be found here:https://www.griefireland.com/grief-retreat/p/grief-workshop-for-partner-loss-athlone • You can also learn more about my community membership After the Flowers, where members can access full video episodes, support resources and a private community space:https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

    1hr 10min
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About

During the pandemic I created a community on Instagram called Grief Ireland. It was following the death of my sister Elaine and her husband Pa. I found Grief to be still a taboo subject, unspoken, and a topic that not many wanted to discuss. Unless of course those who were in "the club no-one wants to be in". But to find those people was difficult. So I went on a mission to open the conversation, to comfort those who mourn, to educate those who don't, to hold space for others to talk about their Grief, Love and Loss and to remember our loved ones and ensure that they would never be forgotten.

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