SHSS Podcast

Its a family affair!

Interviewed by her granddaughters, Sophie and Emily Bell, Ann Bell chatted to the girls about her mother, Mary Twomey, one of the few female GPs in the fifties and about taking over the mantle when she followed in her mother's footsteps and became a GP.

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As part of the 'My Career and Me' series, Rosemary Sexton interviews past pupil Susan Butler. Susan is an Analyst with the Central Bank of Ireland and in this episode, she chats with Rosemary about her path into this career.

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We were delighted to welcome journalist and broadcaster, Fergal Keane, to SHSS to record the SHSS Podcast on 26th February,2024.

Fergal spoke about his long and varied career: his time in Iraq, the horror of Northern Ireland during the Troubles, the joy and hope when Obama won the presidential race, and lots more!

Well done to Lilah Steward and Jill McCarthy for leading this interesting interview.

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We were thrilled to welcome local author and historian, Eugene Daly, to SHSS today to record the SHSS podcast.

Interviewed by Holly and Niamh (and Jill), Eugene spoke about folklore, St Brigid and island life.

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SHSS Podcast presents the Le Chéile: Learning Together series.

A new series of the SHSS Podcast! School journalists interview SHSS students to foster learning and appreciation of diverse cultures at Sacred Heart Secondary School.

International student, Aqsa Nadeem is interviewed by 4th Year Journalists, Leona Arra and Isla McCarthy .

Aqsa chatted about life as an international student in Ireland, being part of cultural events organised by Ms Holland and SHSS and her experience of Irish culture and life in Clonakilty.

Recorded in Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty on 09 February 2024.

Equipment provided by Flux Learning Ltd, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Podcast editing and post processing by Aoibhe Daly, Flux Learning Ltd

SHSS Podcast presents the Le Chéile: Learning Together series.

A new series of the SHSS Podcast! School journalists interview SHSS students to foster learning and appreciation of diverse cultures at Sacred Heart Secondary School.

International student, Isaïs Bourdon is interviewed by 4th Year Journalists, Daria Golinksa and Gemma Harrington.

Isaïs chatted about life as an international student in Ireland and her experience of Irish culture and life in Clonakilty

Recorded in Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty on 23 January 2024.

Equipment provided by Flux Learning Ltd, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Podcast editing and post processing by Aoibhe Daly, Flux Learning Ltd.

SHSS Podcast presents the Le Chéile: Learning Together series.

A new series of the SHSS Podcast! School journalists interview SHSS students to foster learning and appreciation of diverse cultures at Sacred Heart Secondary School.

Leaving Certificate student, Naomi Dambe is interviewed by 4th Year Journalists, Natalie Dinneen and Ellen McCarthy .

Naomi chatted about life as an international student in Ireland, getting to grips with the Irish accent, what she loves about living here and what she misses from Botswana.

Recorded in Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty on 19 January 2024.

Equipment provided by Flux Learning Ltd, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Podcast editing and post processing by Aoibhe Daly, Flux Learning Ltd.

SHSS Podcast presents the Le Chéile: Learning Together series.

A new series of the SHSS Podcast! School journalists interview SHSS students to foster learning and appreciation of diverse cultures at Sacred Heart Secondary School.

International Students Inès Diaz Cordero and Lucia Subias are interviewed by 4th Year Journalists, Gemma Harrington and Amy Flynn.

Inès and Lucia came along to talk about Spain, their culture, life as an international student in Ireland, and flamenco.

Recorded in Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty on 18 January 2024.

Equipment provided by Flux Learning Ltd, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Podcast editing and post processing by Aoibhe Daly, Flux Learning Ltd.

As part of the 'My Career and Me' series, Rosemary Sexton interviews past pupil Geraldine Hennessy. Geraldine discusses her progression from her school days in SHSS to the job she loves.

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For the forth podcast of 2023/2024 on 17 Nov 2023 we were delighted to welcome Leah O Donoghue, an illustrator and native Irish speaker, to SHSS.

Interviewers: Gráinne and Georgina.

4th Year Journalism Coordinator: Caragh Bell.

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TY students Lilah & Mia chat to award winning Irish author Marita Conlon-McKenna about her books, process and West Cork roots.

Interviewers: Lilah Steward and Mia O’ Sullivan 

4th Year Journalism Co-ordinator: Caragh Bell

Post processing: Geraldine Hennessy, Flux Learning

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The final SHSS Podcast features Leaving Cert duo, Aoibhe Daly and Mia Brophy. They discuss their band, Amber, and the music that influences them ranging from Fleetwood Mac to Taylor Swift. The girls chatted about their creative process and their future plans. They also performed samples of their music with Aoibhe on lead vocals and Mia on guitar.

Evie Weller and Ella McSweeney were fantastic podcasters. Equipment supplied by Flux Learning Ltd. Post processing by Darragh Dineen, Flux Learning Ltd.

The penultimate episode of Season 04 of the SHSS podcast took place on location in Creagh near Baltimore. The guest was Leonard Donnelly, tech entrepreneur and CEO of Waylay.io.

Ms Bell accompanied Izzy Ryan and Grace Osbourne to Leonard's beautiful estate and conducted the interview.

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In the final part of the this year's 'My career and me' series, Rosemary Sexton interviews past pupil Nora Lawton. Nora has had a successful career in public relations and has worked in Ireland and Brussels. They discuss her influences and the path she took.

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We were delighted to welcome the founder of Clonakilty Black Pudding, Colette Twomey, to SHSS to record the SHSS Podcast and give a talk to our 5th year students.

Colette was a fantastic podcast guest and gave some great advice about business, life and seizing opportunities.

Izzy Ryan and Grace Osbourne led the interview.

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We were delighted to have Ambassador Frances Collins as a guest on the SHSS Podcast. Live from the Vatican, Frances spoke of her current role as Irish Ambassador of the Holy See and her career path to date. Originally from Darrara, Frances is also a past pupil of SHSS.

Sinead Walsh and Moya Knowles led the interview which was conducted via Zoom.

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We were delighted to welcome Diarmuid Ó’Drisceoil to Sacred Heart to record the SHSS Podcast.

Diarmuid is a retired teacher, a writer, a storyteller, and TV personality. He grew up speaking Irish at home and went on to teach it for thirty years.

Well done to Alannah Ní Dhonnabháin and Aisling O’Gorman for leading this interesting interview.

Diarmuid then spoke to Transition Year, 5th year and 2nd year students in the ref about learning Irish and its value in our ever changing world. His candid approach appealed to the audience, especially when he criticised the Sraith Phictuirs!

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We were delighted to welcome back past pupil and rugby star, Laura Guest, to SHSS today to record the SHSS Podcast. Victoria Carcopino Tusoli and Gemma Deasy led the interview which was mainly about Laura’s sporting career.

Laura played in three World Cups for Ireland and has a total of 39 caps for her country. She has been awarded West Cork Sports Star of the Year, was on the Irish team that won the Six Nations and Grand Slam in 2013 and was head coach at Munster Women’s Rugby, having played on the team herself for years.

Her interview was interesting, insightful and modest. “I had to look up how many caps I had for Ireland,” she admitted. “I couldn’t remember.”

Now a teacher at Midleton College, she is also a star golfer.

Sacred Heart made history last week when our first ever rugby team played in Limerick. Laura was delighted to see the interest amongst the student body, especially when some of our talented junior players waited around after school to meet her. They listened attentively as Laura told them about her sporting past. There were lots of questions which Laura answered with great insight.

People like Laura are an inspiration. She was a true trailblazer for women in sport.

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Gearoid, who attends Christian Brothers College in Cork, is a member of the U18 Munster Hockey team sponsored by UCC. He is also sponsored by Y1 Hockey, based in London. Andrew, who attends Midleton CBS, is also a member of the U18 Munster Hockey team. He is sponsored by Otter Hockey, based in Birmingham. The boys give some great advice about playing sport at a competitive level.

Well done to TY journalists, Lola O’Donnell and Ciara Pettit Mee, for leading the interview.

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Another guest for our SHSS Podcast - My Career and Me series!

Organised by Ms Sexton, this is a special podcast where different past pupils from various career paths come back to SHSS for a short, informative interview. Ms Sexton is on the mic, asking insightful questions about their journey thus far.

This podcast features Niamh Madden, a social care worker with Tusla - the Child and Family Agency. 

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Introducing our new careers podcast: SHSS Podcast - My Career and Me.

Organised by Ms Sexton, this is a special podcast where different past pupils from various career paths come back to SHSS for a short, informative interview. Ms Sexton is on the mic, asking insightful questions about their journey thus far.

We were delighted to welcome back Evie Clancy to talk about engineering, her career path to date and her schooldays. There’s lots of great advice in this interview.

We were delighted to welcome local singer/songwriter, Jessie Kennedy, and drum tech, Sam O’Sullivan, to record the first SHSS Podcast of Season 4.

Jessie, a talented violinist, spoke about what music means to her and how her mother, the late Mandy Murphy, was a big influence on her life. She explained the inspiration behind her second album, The Carbery Songs, and told us a story about meeting Nigel Kennedy and playing his Stradivarius violin when she was eight! She was also mentored by Donovan, the Scottish musician, songwriter and record producer.

Sam, who was studio manager for Irish rock stars U2 for thirty-six years, regaled us with stories from his years working with the famous band. He worked on 14 albums with Bono et al, and toured the world with them. He was even on the roof in LA when the police shut down  the music video for ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’.

This is the first dual podcast we’ve done and it was great! Well done to Evie Weller and Lola O’Donnell for leading the interview. 

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We were delighted to welcome past pupil, Karen Minihan, to Sacred Heart today to record the seventh SHSS Podcast of the third season. Karen is a writer, a playwright. a theatrical director, and singer who recently published a book called ‘Extraordinary Ordinary Women: Untold Stories from the Founding of the State. She has also written a play called Home Rules which was recently turned into a film.

Well done to Evie Weller and Victoria Ouflade who expertly led the interview.

The highlight? When Karen took up her guitar and sang ‘Mise Eire’.

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We were delighted to welcome Professor Xavier Carcopino-Tusoli to take part in the latest SHSS Podcast. The interview was via Zoom as our guest is based in Marseille. Well done to Nyah Coffey and Moya Knowles who led the interview.

Professor Carcopino-Tusoli is a surgeon who specialises in gynaecological cancer and is Vice-President of the European Federation of Colposcopy. He also lectures at the University of Aix-Marseille and is the author of many journals and books about his speciality which is gynaecological oncology.

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We were delighted to have Australian entrepreneur, Bill Liao, as a SHSS Podcast guest !

The interview, conducted via Zoom, covered his impressive career in technology which includes investing in quantum software startups and being co-founder of CoderDojo.

The interview was expertly led by 5th year journalists, Cait O' Mahony and Amy Elphick, who stood in for the TY journalists who received their Junior Cycle results on the day of recording. Cait and Amy were part of many podcasts last year including that of David Puttnam, Flor MacCarthy, Christopher O Sullivan,  and Holly Cairns TD.

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We were delighted to welcome Terri Kearney to SHSS to record the fourth SHSS Podcast of Season 3.

Terri, a biologist, historian, author  and keen photographer, spoke of her schooldays, her career path and her love of Irish history and archaeology.

Thanks to Grace and Izzy for being such great podcasters.

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We were delighted to welcome swimmer, Steve Redmond, to SHSS to record a podcast.

Steve is renowned for his daredevil endurance swims all around the world and has completed the ‘Oceans Seven’ challenge which included places like New Zealand and Japan. He spoke of the difficulties he faced with freezing waters and Great White sharks milling around.

Steve, a retired rugby player, also coaches basketball in Skibbereen, and 6th year students, Katie, Ciara and Siofra, came to say hello.

He also presented SHSS with a signed copy of his book, Fastnet - The Final Challenge, which is now in the school library.

Well done to our podcasters, Alice and Caoimhe, and to our sound engineer, Sadhbh.

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Post processing by Thomas Anderson, Flux Learning Ltd.

We were delighted to welcome Siobhán Cronin, Editor of The Southern Star, to SHSS to record our second podcast this year.

Laoise O' Keeffe and Maeve O' Sullivan led the interview. Siobhán spoke about journalism, sea swimming and gave some great advice along the way.

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Post processing by Geraldine Hennessy, Flux Learning Ltd.

We were delighted to welcome Sr Eilis McGrath back to Sacred Heart today to record the first SHSS Podcast of 2022/2023.

Sr Eilis, a former principal of SHSS, spoke about her childhood,  her time as a boarder and, of course, her years working at the school.

TY journalists, Ciara Petit Mee and Nikhita Kelly, led the interview, with Maeve T. O Sullivan as sound engineer.

Equipment supplied by Flux Learning Ltd. 

Post processing by Thomas Anderson, Flux Learning Ltd.

We were delighted to record a podcast with Susan Steele, Executive Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency on 18 May 2022.  Susan was in Italy at the time so the interview was conducted via Zoom.

Transition Year journalist, Alannah Sexton, organised the podcast. She contacted Susan, set the date, made out the questions, and then led the interview. Alannah greatly admires Susan for her achievements.

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Post processing by Thomas Anderson, Flux Learning Ltd. 

It was a pleasure and a privilege to welcome past pupil, Mrs Noreen Minihan, to SHSS on 17 May 2022 to record a podcast. Mrs Minihan, an integral part of Clonakilty life, spoke of her childhood, her schooldays, her career, and all the organisations that she is involved with around the locality.

Aoibhe Daly and Katie O’Driscoll led the interview. 

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We were delighted to welcome past pupil, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, to SHSS on 29 April 2022 to record a podcast.  

Christopher spoke about his schooldays as a repeat Leaving Cert at Sacred Heart, his political career, and his love of wildlife.

The interview was led by Claire Foyle and Amy Elphick. Saoirse Frank was the sound engineer.

Equipment supplied by Flux Learning Ltd. 

Post processing by Thomas Anderson, Flux Learning Ltd. 

We were delighted to welcome journalist, Dan McCarthy, to SHSS to record a podcast.

Dan writes for The Irish Examiner and is well known for his ‘Islands of Ireland’ section on Mondays. A keen cyclist, he has also written a book about cycling entitled, ‘Cycling Munster: Great Road Routes’.

The interview was led by Esther Scallan-Dowd and Lucy O’Flynn.

The interview was recorded in Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty on 16 March 2022. 

Post processing completed by Thomas Anderson, Flux Learning Ltd

Equipment supplied by Flux Learning Ltd. 

We were delighted to welcome Declan McCarthy to SHSS on 6 April 2022 to record a podcast. 

Declan, founder of the Baltimore Fiddle Fair and an advocate of the Arts, spoke about his career, the 30th anniversary of The Fiddle Fair, and his dream festival line up.

The interview was led by Emer McCarthy and Niamh McCarthy.

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Post processing by Patrick Kiely, Flux Learning Ltd. 

We were delighted to welcome Irish Olympic rower and Skibbereen native, Aoife Casey, in our SHSS Podcast today via Zoom on 11 March 2022. 

Aoife, who participated the lightweight double sculls in the Tokyo Olympics last summer, spoke about her love of rowing, what it’s like having her dad as her coach, and about being in final year of Medical and Health Sciences at UCC. She also spoke of her hopes to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

TY students, Lucy Collins and Alannah Sexton, led the interview.

Post processing by Thomas Anderson, Flux Learning Ltd.

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We were absolutely delighted to welcome past teacher, Liam Nash, back to SHSS on 2 March 2022.  Liam returned to record a podcast in honour of Sacred Heart’s 80th anniversary.  

The interview was led by Alannah Sexton and covered Liam’s early life, his  days at SHSS and, of course, camogie.

Liam taught History and Maths here for 38 years. He retired in 2007.

Interviewer:  Alannah Sexton 

Post-processing: Thomas Anderson and Geraldine Hennessy, Flux Learning Ltd 

Equipment: Supplied by Flux Learning Ltd 

We were delighted to have Paul Cunningham as the latest guest on the SHSS Podast via Zoom on 22 March 2022. 

Paul, currently Political Correspondent for RTE News, spoke about his schooldays, his career path and  the conflict in Ukraine. There was even a surprise appearance: Paul’s dog, Luna!

The interview was led by Orla Whelton and Lucy Collins.

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We were delighted to welcome local historian, Philip O’Regan, to SHSS Podcasts to discuss the Great Irish Famine. Philip, former Digital Editor of The Southern Star, spoke about his passion for History and English at school. He also spoke about his time at the Skibbereen Heritage Centre and the book he co-wrote with Terri Kearney entitled, ‘Skibbereen: The Famine Story’. This podcast is a must listen for any budding historians out there!

Thanks to Amy Elphick and Aoife Godwin Coombs for leading this interesting interview.

Thanks to Patrick Kiely and Flux Learning Ltd for making these fantastic, student-led podcasts possible.

Interviewers: Amy Elphick, Aoife Godwin Coombs

Post-processing: Thomas Anderson, Flux Learning Ltd

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The eleventh SHSS Podcast took place on 11 February 2022 and featured businesswoman, Ciara Byrne.

Ciara is CRO (Chief Revenue Officer) of Star Circle, a talent sourcing company. A Skibbereen native who lives in Clonakilty, Ciara shared her wealth of experience and gave some great advice.

Interviewers: Lucy Collins and Lucy O’Flynn

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The tenth SHSS Podcast took place on 27 January 2022 and featured past pupil, Laura Clancy. 

It was conducted via Zoom and Laura spoke about her Certified Angus days, her love of farming and her college experience.

Interviewers: Cáit O’Mahony and Emily Daly

Equipment: Flux Learning Ltd

Post-processing: Thomas Anderson, Flux Learning Ltd

We were delighted to feature founder of Exploding Tree Chocolate, Allison Roberts, in our ninth SHSS Podcast today. Conducted via Zoom, the interview was led by TY students, Aimee Mulcahy and Robyn Applebe. Allison spoke of her passion for sustainable living and her future plans for her Fairtrade chocolate business which is growing by the day.

Recorded in Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty on 19 January 2022. 

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Sacred Heart Secondary School was delighted to welcome Justin Grounds to school on 1 December 2021 to be interviewed for Episode 8 SHSS Podcast. 

Justin, a violinist and composer, brought his violin along and played some Bach. Well done to Lucy O’Flynn and Cliona O'Brien for leading the interview. 

Interviewers: Lucy O'Flynn, Cliona O'Brien
Teacher: Caragh Bell

Post Processing: Geraldine Hennessy and Thomas Anderson of Flux Learning Ltd

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In keeping with the decade of commemoration and the anniversary of 'The Treaty; SHSS Podcasts is delighted to welcome historian and founder of the Michael Collins Centre, Tim Crowley. 

Interviewed by TY students Kate Nolan and Lucy Collins, Tim gives some valuable insights into the rich and complex history of Michael Collins, the War of Independence and the Civil War in Ireland. 

Check out the Michael Collins Centre website here http://michaelcollinscentre.com/michael-collins-centre/

Recorded on 24 November 2021 in Sacred Heart Secondary School

Interviewers: Kate Nolan and Lucy Collins

Equipment and post processing supplied by Patrick Kiely and Geraldine Hennessy of Flux Learning Ltd. 

We were delighted to welcome past pupil, Louise O’Neill, back to Sacred Heart today to record a podcast.

Louise, an acclaimed author, answered student-generated questions about her memories of school, her writing career and her influences. The interview was led by TY students, Ellen and Emily, who were fantastic.

Interview recorded on 10 November 2021

Interviewers: Ellen Cunningham and Emily Daly

Equipment and Post-production provided by Patrick Kiely and Geraldine Hennessy of Flux Learning Ltd. 

Lord David Puttnam film producer, educator, environmentalist and philanthropist is interviewed by Sacred Heart Secondary School TY students Amy Elphick and Cait O'Mahony via Zoom. 

In this wide ranging interview Lord David Puttnam offers compelling recollections from his career in media, business and policy and telling predictions for the future of personalised education and environmentalism.

Interviewed via Zoom on 8 November 2021. 

Interviewers: Amy Elphick and Cait O'Mahony

Equipment and Post Processing: Patrick Kiely and Geraldine Hennessy, Flux Learning Ltd