Episode 5 · Rhonda’s Story — Strength in Silence
In this episode, I sit down with my cousin Rhonda, the third of nine children from Sheriff Street. At just nine years old, Rhonda suffered a stroke that left her without movement on the right side of her body: her arm and leg. She spent a year in hospital for rehabilitation, working closely with a speech and language therapist who helped her regain her confidence and voice.
Rhonda speaks softly, with a gentleness that contrasts our inner-city roots, and she opens up about growing up in a big family, her resilience through childhood challenges, and the heartbreaking losses of her brothers Aidan, Gareth and Wayne. Her story is one of quiet strength, compassion, and the power of never giving up.
Episode 4: Amy — Losing her Ma, Finding Herself.
In this episode, I sit down with my cousin Amy: a girl from Sheriff Street who grew up with her ma by her side through everything. When Amy found her ma suddenly passed away last year, her world fell apart. What started as weekend drinking turned into addiction, anxiety, and trying to numb the pain any way she could.
Today, Amy is 9 weeks sober, showing up for herself one day at a time. She talks honestly about grief, addiction, being accepted into the community as a mother–daughter duo, and what it’s like finally choosing herself.
Raw. Emotional. Brave.
This is Amy’s story: of love, loss, and the courage to build a new life.
In this powerful episode of Tear Down These Walls, Lisa Byrne sits down with her cousin Emer, whose life has been marked by unimaginable pain: addiction, violence, and loss - but also by an extraordinary journey of faith and redemption.
Emer opens up about her past with raw honesty, sharing how she found the strength to rebuild her life and how her faith became her saving grace. This is a story of courage, surrender, and hope a reminder that even in our darkest moments, light can find its way through.
Christine Byrne Carroll shares her journey from Sheriff Street to Trinity College - facing the pain of losing her brother and the fear of nearly losing her son. A powerful story of resilience, courage and the belief that its never too late to begin again.
Real stories of loss, love and resilience - told with honesty and heart. From Dublin's inner city to personal transformation, Lisa Byrne shares conversations that break silence and build hope.