In this episode of the Cork Creative Podcast, host Geraldine Hennessy speaks with Nadine Hughes Campbell, a children's author based in Cork. Nadine shares her journey from Montreal to Cork, her inspiration for writing children's books, and her mission to promote diversity and representation in literature. She discusses the creative process, the importance of collaboration with illustrators, and the challenges she faced as an author. Nadine also emphasises the significance of building a community and engaging with readers, offering practical advice for aspiring creatives. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into the future adventures of her main character, Noah.

In this episode, Eoin Coughlan and Brian Morrissey of The Oars discuss the intricate balance between lyrics and music, their musical beginnings, and the evolution of their duo. They share insights into their creative process, collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Dirk Powell in Louisiana, and the inspiration behind their songs. The duo reflects on their experiences in the music industry, including performing with Robbie Williams, and their plans for the future, including new singles, live performances, and collaborations. This episode highlights their commitment to authenticity and the dynamic fusion of traditional and contemporary elements in their music.

In this episode, naturopath Louise Kane Buckley from Loula Natural shares her diverse journey from actress to personal trainer to a renowned naturopath. She discusses her holistic approach to health, tailoring her therapies to individual needs and her aspirations for expanding her reach within Ireland.

In this episode of the Cork Creative Podcast, host Geraldine welcomes Noreen Roche, a transformational equine reiki therapist, energy healer, and retreat host from Epona Retreat Center in Rathcormac, North Cork. Noreen chats about how Epona’s serene setting, simplistic meditations, and unique therapies aid clients in grounding, healing, and rediscovering their authentic selves. Noreen's journey from childhood fears to becoming an influential healer provides an inspiring look at the power of slowing down, breathing, and deeply connecting with nature and animals. The podcast concludes with a guided grounding meditation led by Noreen to help listeners ground their energy.

In this episode of Cork Creative, Cathal Dunne joins host Patrick to discuss the upcoming launch of his book 'Athenry' .They delve into the musical elements that infuse the narrative, reflecting Cathal's life in music. Cathal shares his journey from a musical upbringing in Cork, influenced by mentors and traditional Irish music, to his experiences with Eurovision and his relocation to America. He also talks about the collaborative process of refining his book with historical accuracy and the role of music as a transformative force both in his life and in the story. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the intersections of music, literature, and cultural heritage.

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of William O'Brien, well known Cork Businessman and the founder of 'See My Skills,' a social enterprise dedicated to connecting people with disabilities to meaningful employment. Inspired by personal experiences, William shares his background, the organisation's mission, and its evolution. He highlights the programs 'Empower' and 'Accelerator,' designed to build confidence and provide practical skills for people with different abilities. The episode also touches on the importance of community involvement, challenges faced, and future expansion plans, underscoring a core message of positivity and social impact.

Join Patrick Kiely from Cork Creative for the inaugural live podcast featuring a special guest,Wan Aznainizam Yusri Wan Abdul Rashid, the Malaysian Ambassador to Ireland. The podcast was recorded during the Feel the Force festival in Dunmanway in June 2025. In this engaging episode, the Ambassador shares his first impressions of Ireland, experiences in Dunmanway, and the rich cultural connections between Malaysia and Ireland. Discover how cultural diplomacy, art, cuisine, and education foster international relationships. Learn about Malaysian cuisine, key diplomatic milestones, and the shared values that unite these diverse nations. This episode is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the vibrant connections that exist between different parts of the world.

In this episode, Emma Jacobs chats about her journey from South Africa to Ireland and how she pivoted from corporate life to full-time artistic endeavours,  her strategies for balancing creativity with business acumen and her passion for fostering community through her volunteer work and mentorship.

In this video episode of the Cork Creative Podcast, host Patrick interviews Michelle O’Mahony, a history consultant based in West Cork, about her extensive work in historical research, heritage event management, and consulting.    Michelle delves into her expertise on the Irish famine, particularly the Earl Grey scheme that sent Irish orphans to Australia. She discusses the importance of making history engaging, her varied career that includes facilitating historical research for individuals and professionals, and organising events that highlight local history and heritage tourism. Michelle also shares insights on the challenges of historical research, the need for an international museum in West Cork, and how her diverse educational background has shaped her career.

Geraldine interviews Haley Milthorpe about her journey founding the Cultured Food Company, which specialises in fermented foods. Haley discusses the health benefits of fermented foods, the challenges of running a food business, and her company's sustainability practices.

In this episode, we chat with Sarah, Mark, Donal, and James from the Clonakilty Arts Centre as they share their personal journeys, roles, and the importance of the arts centre in fostering creativity and community in West Cork. Discover the unique challenges and rewards of running an art centre, the importance of arts in regional areas, and their shared vision for a dynamic and inclusive creative hub. This episode delves into everything from the therapeutic benefits of art to the intricacies of planning annual exhibitions and fostering local talent.

From beards to business, in this episode of Cork Creative, we sit down with Colin Murphy, the founder of West Cork Beard Company.  Colin shares the journey of how he transitioned from an English teacher in Spain to a successful entrepreneur in Ireland. He talks about his initial struggles with business operations, the inspirations drawn from the West Cork landscape, and his passion for creating high-quality beard products. Colin also discusses product development, sustainability efforts, the role of social media in his marketing strategy, and his future vision for the company.

In the final podcast episode of 2024, Leika Hartjes, the Wandering Goldsmith, shares her journey into jewellery-making and the evolution of her unique style. Leika discusses her creative process, from finding inspiration in nature and personal stories to choosing materials and balancing traditional techniques with modern trends. She also opens up about the challenges of running a creative business, the importance of following your joy, and how social media has impacted her connection with her audience.

Angela Newman, artistic director and cast member of the theatre group Hysterical Histories, explains how their immersive dinner theatre approach was inspired, the group's creative process and making history stick by pairing poignant moments with clever comedy.

In this episode of the Cork Creative Podcast, host Geraldine Hennessy interviews Orla Kelly, founder of Orla Kelly Publishing. Orla shares her journey from self-publishing her son’s story to establishing a thriving business that helps others bring their books to life. She explains the benefits of self-publishing, her unique approach to supporting authors, and insights into the publishing process. Orla also discusses industry trends, common challenges, and how her personalised approach makes Orla Kelly Publishing a standout in the self-publishing world.

In this episode, we talk with the talented duo behind Mummyhead Studios, Justin Walter and Kristie Davison. They share their unique creative journeys, how the Smashing Pumpkins played a key role in bringing them together and how Mummyhead Studios came to be . We explore their diverse and captivating work, collaborations with industry masters, and insights into the evolving landscape of the film industry.

In this episode, chocolatier Niamh O’Reilly discusses her path into working with chocolate and opening up her own chocolate business, Hungry Crow. She discusses the challenges of the business world and rising raw material prices, taking an ethical approach, listening to her customers, recreating the classics with her unique twist, her hopes for the chocolate industry and just doing it.

We chat to serial entrepreneur, creative strategist and AI advocate Catherine Tobin about her love for business and taking the leap into launching her first entrepreneurial venture, the importance of taking learnings from all your endeavours, keeping things simple, the juggling act of having three businesses on the go and finding your tribe.

In this Cork Creative Podcast, Geraldine chats to Cecilia Scholte Lubberink about her journey from poetry and art to opening Le Chéile Arts, a beautifully curated craft shop in Dunmanway. Born from a need for local artists to have a space to showcase their work, Cecilia chats about how the success of a pop-up shop led to the establishment of a permanent store. She emphasises the importance of local art, the collaborative nature of her business, and striving for a work-life balance.

In the latest Cork Creative episode, Patrick Kiely revisits the show's first guest, Caragh Bell, to discuss her journey and recent projects. Since her last appearance, Caragh has published another book, Mosaic, and her next, Fortuna, is due out in August. She has also started a school podcast series, the SHSS podcast. She shares her experiences with self-publishing and her future plans, including a PhD and potential screenwriting projects.