A County Down Under

A raw and honest episode about the difficulties of living abroad and weighing up whether the beautiful lifestyle and gorgeous weather is worth missing the important people and moments back home. Will we ever have the answer about where to settle and when is it ever time to go home? I also discuss the difficulties of filling the void of home by going out partying at the weekends and the impact this...

Maeve Madden, former professional dancer, best selling author, personal trainer and founder of the Queens Don't Quit Community . Maeve has been educating women to improve their health, body confidence and find a new love for fitness for over a decade. She is from Newry, Northern Ireland but lived in England for  15 years and has recently moved to Dubai. In this episode we discuss the realitie...

County Down's Ruairi Croskery lived every young boy's dream. At the age of 14, he was scouted to play for Manchester United youth. He spent four years at Old Trafford and featured in the same Under 18 squad as current United stars Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay. This is his story on living his dream, moving away from home so young and his dreams being shattered at 18. But with his e...

Tony Shaw is the owner and Managing Director of Indigenous Services Australia. Born on a reserve in Laverton, Western Australia, he is a Wongutha person and a child of the Stolen Generation; he was taken from his mother at an early age and raised in 16 institutions before the age of 14. Tony was raised “white” and forbidden to speak his native language or uphold any cultural beliefs, so when he wa...

Every week my inbox is inundated with questions on how to move to Australia, what to pack, how to find accommodation etc. So I thought I would create an episode on the most asked questions and answer them for you. Also, for those who want to move to Australia, but your partner doesn't...this one is for you too! Remember to also check my highlights, reels and post for more information. Hope th...

This is my first ever episode recording in Ireland. I can't believe I am here. So many of us expats have only dreamed of this moment. In this episode I discuss the journey home, the documents I needed, the emotions and life at home after lockdown. There are so many emotions. But it was all worth it when I saw my family for the first time in nearly 4 years. Family is all that matters, nothing...

This is a famous quote from Dr Wayne Dyer and something I feel is great to end the year with. Don't die with your music still in you...it means that you don't allow yourself to live any life other than the one you were born to live and you don't allow anyone's opinions of you or what they might think of you, stop you from doing what makes you happy. This last episode of the yea...

Today I discuss the trauma felt for expats abroad over the past two years of the borders being shut and the true impact social media trolls can have on the receiver. I decided to record this episode after a difficult week. I thought I would be completely honest with you all about how difficult things can get sometimes, tears and all!  On instagram we only show our highlights, but everyone has stuf...

Mark has been on the podcast throughout each season and they always seem to be one of the most popular episodes for listeners. Mark has a way of making you think deeper into human existence, our purpose and whether you are aligning with your values and opening your heart. This is three hours long, Mark always likes to go Joe Rogan style. So tune in and let go. So tune in to hear his most recent ex...

This episode will relate to anyone who is in the lead up to their 30's...or any big milestone age. Remember, growing old is a privilege. And yes I sobbed the night before turning 30 mourning the loss of my twenties. This podcast is sponsored by  Gym+Coffee  Gym+Coffee is Ireland’s leading athleisure brand and community. They believe in socialising around exercise and have built a passionate g...

This Sunday 10th October marks World Mental Health Day. This year, more than ever, it is important to look after your mental health. In this episode I discuss environmental depression. Who are you spending your time with that could be making you feel drained? Are you over committing to meeting people each week? Are you a people pleaser? How many of your friends who comment under your pictures on i...

Martine & Sean moved to Australia from Belfast 7 years ago and live in Sydney with their beloved dog Bruno. In May while on a trip to Hamilton Island to celebrate what should have been her Wedding Day which has been postponed due to Covid, Martine found two lumps in her breast. At 29 years of age, extremely fit & healthy it was a huge shock to Martine, her fiancé Sean, their families and w...

Ryan is a local lad, not too far up the road from me. His story is very similar to many of us, plays GAA, he went to Uni, travelled Australia and spent some time in the USA during his studies But something magic happened. He became one of the biggest singer and song writers to come out of Ireland and has toured all over the world with Ed Sheeran, Kodaline, Snow Patrol, Foy Vance The Corona’s and D...

PART TWO: Ciara and her boyfriend David Gavin moved to Canada from Mayo in 2017. They were childhood sweethearts, madly in love and excited to start a new adventure together. A few months after settling into their new lives, David travelled to a GAA match with his teammates. They stopped at a lake to cool down but tragedy struck when David was pulled under the water and never resurfaced. This is a...

Today on the episode I am delighted to have Keith Donnelly on. If you ever need inspiration or a kick up the ass to do something you always dreamed of, this is the episode for you. Keith is a true inspiration and beacon of hope for those who have always dreamed of living in Australia but feel they left it too late. Keith discusses going back to University later in life to study Mental Health Nursi...

This week I speak to Ciara O'Malley. Ciara and her boyfriend David Gavin moved to Canada from Mayo in 2017. They were childhood sweethearts, madly in love and excited to start a new adventure together. A few months after settling into their new lives, David travelled to a GAA match with his teammates. They stopped at a lake to cool down but tragedy struck when David was pulled under the water...

Today on the episode I am honoured to be joined by Niall Breslin, also known as Bressie. Bressie is one of Ireland’s most formidable and inspiring mental health advocates and public speakers. An active polymath, he is also a bestselling author, podcaster, musician, philanthropist, and a former professional athlete. Today we discuss his journey with mental health and his latest challenge, Marathon...

Today on the podcast I am joined by Jack Sheehan. Jack is an experienced and professional Counsellor and Psychotherapist. Originally from Ireland, Jack moved to Sydney this year leaving one lockdown in Ireland, to enter another lockdown in Sydney. Jack is here to answer some of the questions many of you asked for help with on my instagram. Get in contact with Jack, if he cannot find a slot to fit...

It has been one hell of a journey this past year of A County Down Under.  You have all been through each step with me, the good, the bad and the ugly. I thought i would kick start the new season with an update on my life, lockdown in Sydney and finding love again. I hope this episode teaches you that everything happens for a reason and that you are stronger than you think. Remember you have surviv...

Mary left Ireland like many of the rest of us, with a dream and no expectations. Her story mirrors the story of the movie 'Brooklyn'.  She fell in love with an Australian man and never moved home. Over 30 years later, Mary is one of the leading solicitors in Sydney, Australia.  She began MTM Legal in 2014 to offer the best in accident and injury legal services and advice, with a personab...

Today on the podcast I am joined by Ronan O'Brien founder of Breathwave Ireland. Breathwave is used in a meditative setting whereby people are guided through a process of relaxing and allowing their mind to be still whilst focusing on their breathing, which brings many benefits including anxiety management, detoxification, nervous system repair, and sometimes trauma release. Through a Breathw...

Today on the podcast, I am joined by Mark Eaton. Like many of us, Mark moved abroad for a better life and a change. Unfortunately, not long into his new life in Melbourne, the country went into lockdown. Melbourne had one of the toughest lockdowns in the world. He stuck it out for many months and after lots of difficult discussions,  Mark decided to head back to Ireland. Only days later, Melbourne...

Pat Divilly is a speaker, coach and author from Galway Ireland who shares a practical approach to emotional and mental fitness. Pat initially got his start in the fitness industry where his business grew from five clients on his local beach to over twenty thousand clients globally in a five year period.    Working with such a wide demographic of people Pat became more interested in an holistic app...

In this episode I was joined by Tony McAleavey who is an extremely successful PT with body transformations that have gone viral, podcast host and all round sound guy. We discussed his story, dealing with trolls on social media, finding his reason to help people, living in Ireland and being happy! Tony's IG - @tonymcaleavey Tony's Podcast - The Muscle & The Hustle Podcast This podcast...

Last week, we had the annual Darkness Into Light Walk. Each year the walk provides an opportunity for people to connect with their local community and to show their support for those who have been impacted by suicide. Their team of dedicated volunteers, in Ireland and overseas, return year on year to make the event a success and to help us all continue to raise awareness in the global fight agains...