Cork Creative

Novelist Rebecca Murphy joins the Cork Creative Podcast to dive into her lifelong love of storytelling. From her Cork roots and studying Drama and English at UCC, to how her theater training sharpened her ear for dialogue and scene-building, Rebecca shares how she elevates the richness of ordinary lives. She also takes us behind the scenes of writing her debut novel, Blood and Water, discussing th...

On the Cork Creative Podcast, creative director Stanley Notte discusses Cork’s distinctive language, humour, and Northside/Southside rivalry, and how those influences shape his work. He reflects on growing up in London and returning to Cork in the 1970s, describing how freedom, friendships, and a fascination with words deepened his connection to the city. He explains how writing, visual art, spoke...

Musician and writer Joe Philpott joins the Cork Creative Podcast to discuss growing up in Bishopstown and forming Rubyhorse, supported by a strong school arts culture and Cork’s vibrant late-80s/90s music scene. He describes the long, deliberate journey from local gigs to US success, including performing on Letterman, touring with major acts, and collaborating with George Harrison.  Philpott refle...

On the Cork Creative Podcast, Geraldine  speaks with author, poet and musician Thaddeus Ó Buachalla about growing up in Cork City, his early musical influences and his later decision to learn Irish after school, which led to an Irish degree and a PhD in Modern Irish at UCC. He explains how academia shaped his discipline, planning process and literary criticism, and how his interest in postmodernis...

Multimedia artist Emily O’Regan is on a mission to turn her art into a full-time career—and to make sure young female artists are taken seriously along the way. In this episode of the Cork Creative Podcast, Emily breaks down her reference-led creative process across digital illustration, oils, and ceramics. She also opens up about her ADHD diagnosis at 17, how she reframed it to fuel her creativit...

In this episode, Steven Wilson Downey, CEO of digital agency Spéire, discusses digital transformation, the misconceptions around AI, and the importance of starting with human processes in business automation. He shares the journey of founding Spéire, the evolution of their services, and how they respond to shifting market demands. Tune in to learn about practical steps for businesses to adapt to t...

In this episode of the Cork Creative Podcast, we chat with Maïna Hervé, a French visual artist based in Cork.  Maïna discusses her journey from art school to establishing her personal style, focusing on finding joy in the process rather than succumbing to external pressures. She shares insights into balancing a full-time job with her creative work, her transition from dark themes to more colourful...

In this episode of the Cork Creative Podcast, Angela Newman, a key figure in the Cork arts scene, discusses the unique elements of adult panto, delving into how it differs from family-friendly versions with its mature humour and pub setting. She details the creative and collaborative process behind developing these shows and highlights the joy and community they foster. Throughout, she shares hear...

In this episode, retired doctor, extreme traveller, and author Geraldine Osborne shares her incredible journey spanning over a decade living in some of the world's most remote regions with her young family.  She chats about their rich cultural exchanges with the Inuit, the profound impact these experiences had on their lives as well as the invaluable life lessons learned about resilience, communit...

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 th...

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, incl...

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 fr...

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...

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,' d...

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...

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 hi...

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...

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 hi...

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...

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....

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 in...