Insights with Sean O'Rourke

Laura Coleman is psychologist and psychotherapist for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. She reveals why she believes we do not need to fear death. Trigger warning: This podcast includes a discussion around suicide, please find a link to a webpage with relevant contact information Helplines - https://about.rte.ie/ie/helplines/

Éamon Ó Cuív is not only a former Government Minister and TD but as he explains to Sean O’Rourke, he is also a dedicated campaigner and prison negotiator. Éamon also opens up about his grandfather, Fianna Fáil founder, Taoiseach and former President of Ireland Éamon de Valera plus he shares his own aspirations for the party his Grandfather began.

Sinéad Burke is a writer, disability campaigner and entrepreneur. Sinéad explains to Sean why she is on a mission to create a more equitable and accessible world and discusses the impact the European Accessibility Act, which will come into effect in June 2025 will make.

Colm O’Rourke is a Gaelic football manager, retired secondary school principal, sports broadcaster, and columnist. He also has two All-Irelands medals and was Player of the Year in 1991. He discusses his passion for education, his biggest achievements away from the medals and glory, plus he reflects on the changes and challenges facing the GAA.

Psychotherapist and Counsellor Dr Thomas McCann speaks to Sean about his love for the travelling community he is part of, as well as the issues and challenges they face, including that of mental health. Note: This discussion includes a reference to suicide. Help and Advice are available at https://about.rte.ie/ie/helplines/

Social media star, podcaster and breast cancer survivor Georgie Crawford opens up about the night her life changed utterly in 2017 when she discovered a lump in her breast. Georgie speaks about the lengthy journey she and her husband had to take in order to expand their family, the costs involved, and she recruits a new follower in Sean O’Rourke.

Ollie Jennings is the Manager of ‘The Saw Doctors’, a founding member of The Galway Arts Festival, and the award-winning spectacle theatre company Macnas.

Irish garden designer and presenter Diarmuid Gavin opens up to Sean about why he passionately wanted to change gardening forever, he speaks about his friendship with Charlie Haughey, mingling with the Royal family, and what the unwavering support of Journalist Terry Keane and her family did for his career.  

Deputy Catherine Connolly discusses her unexpected path into politics. She speaks about her surprise election as the first woman to hold the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. And reveals if she really is open to running for President.

Former managing partner of PWC and current Chairperson of the IDA Feargal O'Rourke speaks with Sean about his mother, Mary O’Rourke, the sliding door moment that could have led to a career in politics, and his opinion of possible threats to Ireland's future economic success.

Kevin Bakhurst started his position as Director General of RTÉ in July 2023. The RTÉ payments scandal was dominating the headlines at the time so the role brought more challenges than anticipated. Kevin reflects on the past 15 months, as well as his early career, interest in Ireland, friendships made and what he hopes to achieve during his tenure.

Bryan Dobson retired last month after 37 years in the RTÉ newsroom. Bryan reflects on his career and shares his view on the future of journalism.

Gerry Hussey is a performance psychologist, author and co-founder of Soul Space. He has been at the forefront of building teams and individuals in Olympic and Professional sport and corporate organisations for 20 years. He tells Sean how he prepares top-level sports and business teams for success

Former prisoner, triathlete, coach and mentor for young offenders, Ger Redmond tells Sean about his childhood, his dreams of becoming a pro footballer, joining a gang, his time in prison and the importance of changing the generational shift.

Peter Murtagh is an award-winning, journalist and author. He spent almost 40 years in newspapers (working for The Irish Times and the Sunday Tribune in Ireland, and the Sunday Times and The Guardian in the UK) before retiring in 2019. He reflects on some of the big stories he has covered, and how he travelled from Chile to Alaska on his motorbike.

Anne Anderson is one of Ireland’s most high-profile diplomats. Former Ambassador to The United Nations in Geneva and New York, The European Union, France, and United States. Anne was the first woman to hold each of these positions. She reflects on her time serving at the highest level of Irish diplomacy.

Regius Professor Rose Anne Kenny is the founding Principal Investigator of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Professor Kenny tells Sean how she got into Medical Gerontology, and reveals some interesting findings from the study, including the need to prioritise social engagement as loneliness has become much more common in Ireland.

Bill Browder is an international campaigner against corruption and human rights abuses in Russia. Bill was an investor in Russia prior to his expulsion from the country in 2005. The death of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky prompted him to turn his firm Hermitage Capital Management into a campaigning organisation promoting the Magnitsky Act.

In 2012 Jack Kavanagh suffered a life changing spinal cord injury leaving him with 15% muscle function. Now, Jack delivers speeches on wellbeing, resilience and diversity at schools and corporate events. Jack tells Sean about the impact his accident had on his family and how he wants to progress equity and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Aileen Hickie, former barrister and journalist shares memories and stories with Sean about her time in Drishane Convent, Millstreet, her various career paths, how she met her husband broadcaster Matt Cooper, marathon running and her current role as CEO of Parentline.

Rob Kearney is one of Ireland’s most decorated rugby players. He retired from professional rugby in 2021 with 95 caps as well as 3 British and Irish Lions test caps under his belt. He reflects on the highs and lows of his rugby career, the various coaches he’s worked with, how the game has changed over the years, retirement, and family life.

Following his appointment as new president of the GAA Jarlath Burns tells Sean what he hopes to achieve during his three-year term. He also reflects on his life growing up in South Armagh during the troubles, his role as principal of one of the largest secondary schools in the country and his long career in Gaelic games.

Annalise Murphy received a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the first Irish woman to win an Olympic sailing medal. She reflects on the highs and lows of preparation and competing, how it felt to win a medal, moving on from her career in sailing and her current pursuit in competitive cycling.

Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield tells Sean about his early interest in politics and how he was politicised by music and songs. Since his election in the Seanad, he has tabled two legislative bills. He talks about how he deals with online trolling, his passion for music, and his campaign to achieve equality for members of the LGBT community

Trainer John Hanlon known universally as ‘Shark’ tells Sean how he went from cattle dealing to training horses. He recalls some of his favourite wins over the years and how he helped Rachael Blackmore in the early days of her career. Excitement is building this week as his horse Hewick, who he bought for just €850 is racing in Cheltenham’s Gold Cup