Cork Creative: Recent Episodes
Cork Creative
Hosted by Flux Learning, a digital education company based in West Cork, Ireland, this podcast showcases the exceptional, innovative and imaginative work of those working in enterprise and the creative arts. Subscribe to the podcast. Join the community on Twitter and Instagram Visit https://www.corkcreative.ie for more information.
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 the challenges of drafting with self-compassion, the power of writing communities like the Faber Academy, and the thrill of winning the RTÉ Today Show novel competition.
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, spoken word, and product design emerged later in life, and how creativity supported his recovery from depression and informed his openness about mental health. He describes collaborating with musicians, performing in venues from festivals to Cork Prison, and the challenges of moving from the Naval Service to an irregular arts income. He shares plans for music releases, events, more performances, and ongoing Cork-inspired work.
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 reflects on ambition, belonging “at the table,” and the pressures, manipulation and burnout of the US music industry. After returning to Cork feeling lost, he found a new purpose bringing music into hospitals and palliative care. He outlines lessons on sustaining creativity, the organic community ethos of White Horse Guitar Club, releasing new music, and writing his memoir.
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 postmodernism informed his work. Thaddeus discusses the spark behind his novel EL, how he uses historical research and conspiracy-style narrative to explore digital deception, AI and deepfakes, and why storytelling matters in confronting disinformation. He reflects on publishing in Irish, translating EL into English to broaden awareness of Irish-language literature, and his wide-ranging musical journey, collaborations and live multimedia performance.
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 creativity, and the realities of building an art business from the ground up.
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 the rapidly changing digital world without losing their personal touch.
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 and personal subjects, and the importance of building a supportive artistic community. Tune in to learn more about Maïna’s approach to making art that resonates both with herself and others.
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 heartfelt anecdotes, the importance of preserving local stories, and offers advice for aspiring actors.This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into Cork's vibrant theatrical scene.
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, community, and the connection with nature.
Whether you're an adventurer at heart or curious about remote travel, Geraldine offers crucial advice for anyone looking to step out of their comfort zone and embrace new, wild experiences
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 the challenges she faced as an author. Nadine also emphasises the significance of building a community and engaging with readers, offering practical advice for aspiring creatives. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into the future adventures of her main character, Noah.
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, including performing with Robbie Williams, and their plans for the future, including new singles, live performances, and collaborations. This episode highlights their commitment to authenticity and the dynamic fusion of traditional and contemporary elements in their music.
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 from childhood fears to becoming an influential healer provides an inspiring look at the power of slowing down, breathing, and deeply connecting with nature and animals. The podcast concludes with a guided grounding meditation led by Noreen to help listeners ground their energy.
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 also talks about the collaborative process of refining his book with historical accuracy and the role of music as a transformative force both in his life and in the story. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the intersections of music, literature, and cultural heritage.
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,' designed to build confidence and provide practical skills for people with different abilities. The episode also touches on the importance of community involvement, challenges faced, and future expansion plans, underscoring a core message of positivity and social impact.
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 between Malaysia and Ireland. Discover how cultural diplomacy, art, cuisine, and education foster international relationships. Learn about Malaysian cuisine, key diplomatic milestones, and the shared values that unite these diverse nations.
This episode is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the vibrant connections that exist between different parts of the world.
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 history engaging, her varied career that includes facilitating historical research for individuals and professionals, and organising events that highlight local history and heritage tourism. Michelle also shares insights on the challenges of historical research, the need for an international museum in West Cork, and how her diverse educational background has shaped her career.
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 hub. This episode delves into everything from the therapeutic benefits of art to the intricacies of planning annual exhibitions and fostering local talent.
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 high-quality beard products. Colin also discusses product development, sustainability efforts, the role of social media in his marketing strategy, and his future vision for the company.
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, the importance of following your joy, and how social media has impacted her connection with her audience.
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. Orla also discusses industry trends, common challenges, and how her personalised approach makes Orla Kelly Publishing a standout in the self-publishing world.
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 industry.
In this episode, chocolatier Niamh O’Reilly discusses her path into working with chocolate and opening up her own chocolate business, Hungry Crow. She discusses the challenges of the business world and rising raw material prices, taking an ethical approach, listening to her customers, recreating the classics with her unique twist, her hopes for the chocolate industry and just doing it.
We chat to serial entrepreneur, creative strategist and AI advocate Catherine Tobin about her love for business and taking the leap into launching her first entrepreneurial venture, the importance of taking learnings from all your endeavours, keeping things simple, the juggling act of having three businesses on the go and finding your tribe.
In this Cork Creative Podcast, Geraldine chats to Cecilia Scholte Lubberink about her journey from poetry and art to opening Le Chéile Arts, a beautifully curated craft shop in Dunmanway. Born from a need for local artists to have a space to showcase their work, Cecilia chats about how the success of a pop-up shop led to the establishment of a permanent store. She emphasises the importance of local art, the collaborative nature of her business, and striving for a work-life balance.
In the latest Cork Creative episode, Patrick Kiely revisits the show's first guest, Caragh Bell, to discuss her journey and recent projects. Since her last appearance, Caragh has published another book, Mosaic, and her next, Fortuna, is due out in August. She has also started a school podcast series, the SHSS podcast. She shares her experiences with self-publishing and her future plans, including a PhD and potential screenwriting projects.
In this episode, we chat to illustrator Kerry O’Callaghan about her journey into children’s illustration, diversity and representation, her collaborative process and gaining confidence in her work.
Cork Creative's Geraldine Hennessy experiences a craniosacral therapy session in the comfort of Sara Devoy's beautiful therapy space. Listen in to how the session unfolds and experience a taster of what a session would be like.
In this episode we are joined by craniosacral therapist Sara Devoy. We chat about the benefits of this holistic approach to settling the nervous system and how it can address various physical and emotional issues. Sara shares stories of helping clients navigate challenges and highlights the importance of focusing on the positive aspects of healing rather than solely on fixing problems.
In this episode, we talk to Nuri Albakri and Caroline Walsh about their creativity, cosplaying, diorama creation and customisations. From growing up in Malaysia to hosting the inaugural Feel the Force festival in Dunmanway, we speak about the importance of community and creativity of West Cork.
In this episode we chat to Laure about her path into upholstery, the satisfaction she garners from what she does, expanding her services, breaking through limits and an unusual encounter with a hen.
In this episode we chat to Justin Grounds about how music has been a constant presence throughout his life, his move to West Cork and becoming embedded into his community, his influences and inspirations and his unique musical style.
In this episode, we chat to Orla and Armand from Farraige about seaweed art-about the patience required for turning a piece of nature into a piece of art, the wonders of this multifaceted yet underrated element of our coastal landscapes and the importance of passion, giving things a go and the support of friends and family.
In this episode we are joined by stylist Michelle Coughlan. We discuss her path to becoming a stylist from being a fashion loving child to working on projects for internationally renowned brands in the US, her return home to Ireland, the importance of networking, the different facets of her work and her future plans.
In this episode, we chat to MyGug CEO Fiona Kelleher about the story behind this Cork based start-up, their new age solution to an age old problem, scaling the product, the importance of local supports, ongoing discussions for governmental incentives and being persistent.
As her second book launches, children’s author Leona Forde joins us on the Cork Creative podcast to chat about the turning of a story for her daughter into the publication of a successful first book, her inspirations and writing process, the importance of relatable and diverse characters, and her experiences as an author.
In the final part of our coffee roasting series, we are joined by Suzanne Casey, general manager of Velo Coffee Roasters. In this episode we discuss their growth into mainstream retail, the advantages of a single supplier, embedding their business ethos into all that they do and standing out amongst the crowd.
We chat to John and Tom from Stone Valley Coffee Roasters about their self-taught roasting journey, their desire to lighten up the specialty coffee industry whilst ensuring a high quality product & their customer focused approach to their business.
As part of Skibbereen Arts festival, Caragh Bell chats to Tadgh Coakley, Michelle Dunne, Catherine Kirwan and Amy Cronin in this live literary event. They chat about their creative process, their books and the explosion of the crime genre.
In the second part of our coffee roasters series, we chat to West Cork Coffee’s Tony Speight. We discuss how his engineering background helped him turn his hobby into a passion, his sustainable approach to work and life, not wanting to be the next Starbucks and getting lucky.
In the first part of our coffee roasting series, we are joined by Brock Lewin from Badger & Dodo. We discuss the building blocks of one of the first Irish specialty coffee roasters, the development of their product & brand, the importance of getting the basics right, their focus on quality and Brock’s belief that it's best to let the coffee do the talking.
In this episode, we return to our Business Supports Series with a chat to Rachel Kelleher from Mix Coworking in Clonakilty. Along with her partner Michael Kote, they have turned a passion project into a successful business. In this episode, we discuss their journey to both Clonakilty and the creation of a coworking space, learnings from the original project to now, the benefits of coworking and nurturing their creation.
In this episode we speak to marketing specialist, consultant and mentor Sandra Maybury about the reasons behind her decision to write a book about her parents, her exciting yet normal childhood, marketing and getting the basics right along with getting mad notions.
A bonus mini sound healing session is where Cork Creative got to experience Claire Marie Barton's sound healing first hand.
We are joined by sound healer, author and musician Claire Marie Barton who talks to us about her interesting work, how the loss of her first baby became a transformative event for her, the importance of self-expression and taking time out and she imparts some very sage advice.
A bonus mini sound healing session is available as another episode where Cork Creative got to experience sound healing first hand.
We discuss with historical fiction author Susan Lanigan how history has a tendency to repeat itself, her writing process and love for history, the challenges of being an author, censorship along with her latest book.
In the final part of our Estate Agents Series we chat to Andy Donoghue from Hodnett Forde Property Services about his path into property, the skills needed to be a good estate agent, the cyclical nature of the property market and dealing with that, the emotive nature of what he does and having a thick skin.
Martin from Martin Kelleher Property Services in Clonakilty chats to us about how a nice car inspired his career choice, the pros and cons of being an independent operator, the importance of realistically portraying a property to its best potential along with the highs and lows of his job.
In the first part of our Estate Agents Series, we talk to Majella Galvin from DNG Galvin in Bandon. We discuss her path into auctioneering, the importance of marketing, networking and being part of business groups and organisations, trends in the property market, the importance of supporting and educating clients on their property journey and the multi-faceted skills required of a modern chartered estate agent.
We are joined by musician Alan Tobin, aka ADT to chat about his electronic folk music, the wider music scene and industry, the things & people that inspire him, working with other creative people, his new album & being a lighthouse enthusiast.
Cork Creative: the journey so far
Cork Creative is approaching its two year anniversary. We have had over 25 guests on the podcast from artists to authors, distillers to declutters and many more interesting characters who have chatted to us about the highs and lows of their journeys to now.
With that in mind, we felt it was important for the two hosts of the show, myself Geraldine Hennessy & Patrick Kiely to share our experience of creating this podcast . So we discuss the background of Cork Creative, why we do it, what we learn from it and where we hope to go with it.
In this episode we are joined by muralist and artist Martina Flanagan. We discuss her path to now-through colleges and jobs & her moment of enlightenment. We speak about her superheroes in woman empowerment, her process, the impact of social media and she shares some sage advice for wannabe artists.
We are joined by vintage & antique guru Rita Holding of RH vintage Interiors. We discuss the evolution of her hobbyist passion to a business, the great partnership she has with her husband Ian, having a good business head & the wonders and evocative nature of vintage & antique pieces.
In this episode we are joined by East Cork artist Nicola Geary whose work ranges from clay faces to brightly coloured canvas. A lover of texture and colours, her work is constantly evolving. We chat about her journey from artist to chef and back again, the surge in creativity she has experienced, the importance of her mother, family, creative collaborations & supports, learning to embrace the online realm & the value of being true to yourself.
In this episode, we chat to Maura O’Connell from West Cork Casting Studio. She explains her journey from Social Science Graduate to life-casting & producer of memorial jewellery, the highly emotive element of her work, the touching stories that make her work so special, overcoming her periods of procrastination & self-doubt & learning to take it easy on herself.
We chat to professional declutterer Anne Marie Kingston from White Sage Decluttering about how her early life forged her path into decluttering, the lightbulb moment that initiated her business, the multifaceted layers of decluttering, her tips, challenges and future plans.
We speak to interior designer Maura Mackey about turning her part-time hobby into her full-time career, her passion for biophilic design, the importance of function, her design process, the benefits of challenges and how every day is a school day.
In this episode, we are joined by photographer Anna Groniecka. We discuss Anna’s creative roots, taking the leap into full time photography, the intense nature of her work and going with the flow. Anna also shares some good advice for people starting out in business.
In the fourth part of our Business Supports Series we speak to Arran O’Driscoll , Chair at Clonakilty Credit Union. We chat about the differences between credit unions and banks, the importance to the credit union of building relationships with members and welcoming them in, how credit unions can help business to manage their day to day finances and how they adapt their strategy in line with the needs of their members.
In this episode we speak to Peter Walsh , Chairman of Brookpark Business Centre in Dunmanway. Brookpark is an advanced technology business centre featuring Conference, Training, Board Room, Offices, Co-Working and Hot Desk facilities. Peter tells us the story of how Brookpark came about, what Brookpark can offer local businesses, the importance of community to the centre and how Brookpark hopes to serve as a blue print for other businesses to become more sustainable.
In the second part of our Business Supports series, we chat to Fiona Ryan, the Start Up & Entrepreneurship Manager in the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen about her insights for post covid trends for business, how the Ludgate is shaping its own path from those trends and how it facilitates and supports local business and the wider community across the generations.
Kevin Curran from the Local Enterprise Office joins us to tell us why the LEO should be the first port of call for any new business and any business that wants to expand. He simplifies business plans, shares what he believes are the biggest mistakes business’ make and discusses the importance of having an online presence-all with a few interesting stories thrown in!
In the fourth part of our Craft Brewers & Distillers Series, husband & wife team Daniel Emerson from Stonewell Cider & Géraldine Javoy from Nohoval Apple Wines educate us on all things apple, the perpetual motion of research & design, maintaining a strong profile, collaboration, sustainability & growing their businesses post-pandemic.
Louise Kingston, founder of Inchydoney Candles joins us to discuss the strong coastal influence on her products and brand, a mother’s influence, unexpected sales boosts and a positive development born out of the pandemic.
In the third part of our Craft Brewers & Distillers series, Séamus Ó Drisceoil from Cape Clear Island Distillery chats to us about their goal to have a high quality distinctive gin that reflects Cape Clear Island, the community endeavour that is central to the distillery, the importance of safeguarding the distillery environs & their plans for the year ahead.
Sharon Huggard, The Style Coach, chats to us about her mission to empower women to find their style signature & to ditch measuring self-worth on the scales, the importance of being authentic, adapting her business and her plans for the year ahead.
In the second part of our Craft Brewers & Distillers Series, we speak to Terra Brookins from West Cork Brewing Company about the importance of their customers to their business, their focus on building that relationship, the collaborative nature of the craft beer industry in Ireland and their exciting plans for 2022.
Entrepreneur & content creator Michel Colaci joins us to discuss his ventures in the space of creative digital solutions, child online safety & video production. We also explore his love for vintage camera lenses & how mindfulness influenced & changed his photography & film-making.
As part of our Craft Brewers & Distillers Series,Paul Corbett, Head Distiller at Clonakilty Distillery joins us for a chat about his path to becoming a master distiller, the science and art of distilling and the joys of working in a smaller sized distillery.
In this episode we are joined by designer Nina Cáit Gilbert from Design Bird. We discuss her journey from her dream job in London to setting up her own business whilst juggling family life, the challenges she faces, her love for design, branding and being part of the launch of new fledgling business’.
Niamh Morrison, creator of HEN Jewellery joins us in this episode. A lover of her surroundings, Niamh uses the beautiful West Cork landscape as inspiration for her designs. We discuss the positive & negative impacts of the pandemic, the dramas of the creative process, the constant learning curve & her fetish for hammers.
Stephen Hayes is a fine art photographer based in Clonakilty. We chat about his love for the whole photography process, his love/hate relationship with Instagram, evolution of his business, local supports and inspirations and we get the answer to the ultimate question.
In this episode, we are joined by Rebecca Connolly, a well-established beautician in Rosscarbery who has recently launched a beautiful apothecary range. We discuss the silver lining of pandemic closures, making the most of local supports, the challenges she faces and the joys of being a beautician.
Louise Bunyan is Ireland’s leading LinkedIn training expert and is a guru of all things digital marketing. We discuss her interesting career, her pivot to online learning and consultancy, the importance of networking and her plans for the future.
Aoife McLaughlin chats to us about getting the right work-life balance, moving her lino printing hobby into a business and the challenges of being a one-woman sales, marketing, finance and IT department.
Aidan O' Regan joins us for a honest chat about the highs and lows of being an abstract landscape artist, his motivations and the evolutions of his craft and business from Celtic Tiger boom to a global pandemic.
We are joined by Caragh Bell, a rising star of the literary world with five books published and another due to be released in 2021.