Sin Scéal Eile

If you were ever looking for a sign, head to Orla’s house. She has adorned her walls in positive affirmations. Orla has welcomed 13 children into her home, both as a Mother and a foster parent. Her own mother and father (also foster parents) sadly died young, leaving Orla to come back home and raise the youngest of their family herself. Orla is an incredibly passionate and community driven woman, but she’s also a very spiritual person. She firmly believes in angels, guardians, energies and healing. But mostly what she believes in is helping others. Offering them space and comfort while in this mortal world. Come back tomorrow for another podcast/story/portrait. We’re interviewing and photographing people from all over Ireland, collecting their stories and sharing them daily. You can be a part of it too, Go to SinScealEile.ie for more information.If you love this series and you appreciate that it takes a lot of time, passion and funding to bring it to you every day, consider becoming a sponsor. You can subscribe for exclusive content on Patreon, or make a once off donation on BuyMeACoffee. xR

When I saw Charlie walking up the road with her dog, I knew instantly she was a boater. Effortlessly cool and extremely laid back. Charlie lives on a big red boat in the harbour of Rathlin Island. 10 years ago she went to a rave on the island, fell in love with the place and decided to move.Come back tomorrow for another podcast/story/portrait. We’re interviewing and photographing people from all over Ireland, collecting their stories and sharing them daily. You can be a part of it too, go to SinScealEile.com for more information.If you love this series and you appreciate that it takes a lot of time, passion and funding to bring it to you every day, consider becoming a sponsor. You can subscribe for exclusive content on Patreon, or make a once off donation on BuyMeACoffee (I’m “ruthlessimagery” on both accounts, or click the link on our website)xR

We got the ferry to Rathlin, our first island in the project. Marianne was waiting and took us for a lovely spin around the island. She's an incredibly knowledgeable woman and told us all about the ups and downs of island life. She was born and raised on Rathlin and tells me that everyone on the island has at least two jobs. Whether you’re on the committee or you volunteer for the fire brigade, everyone is expected to pitch in to make the island a better place to live. Like most people I speak to for this project, housing is a huge issue and it seems like the crisis hasn’t passed over Rathlin either. She points out all the summer homes and Air B&Bs currently standing empty.We had an interesting and insightful chat, and a proper tour of the island, by someone who knows it intimately. I feel very lucky indeed and I can’t wait to meet more islanders as we endeavor to reach every inhabited island of Ireland. Come back tomorrow for another podcast/story/portrait. We’re interviewing and photographing people from all over Ireland, collecting their stories and sharing them daily. You can be a part of it too, Go to SinScealEile.ie for more information.If you love this series and you appreciate that it takes a lot of time, passion and funding to bring it to you every day, consider becoming a sponsor. You can subscribe for exclusive content on Patreon, or make a once off donation on BuyMeACoffee. xR

Laura’s house seems very unassuming from the front, it’s one of a row of houses in a little estate in Ballintoy. When you’re on the doorstep and turn around, you can really see its value. It has one of the most stunning views I’ve ever seen, all the way to Rathlin and Fair Head gleaming in the sunshine. Laura is fun. Just straight up fun, positive, cheery and great to chat to. She’s a paramedic and explains that she comes face to face with mortality far more than most professions. To combat the negative impact of this, she hits the gym, feeds her hens, and perches at the top of her garden to take in the outstanding view. Come back tomorrow for another podcast/story/portrait. We’re interviewing and photographing people from all over Ireland, collecting their stories and sharing them daily. You can be a part of it too, go to SinScealEile.com for more information.If you love this series and you appreciate that it takes a lot of time, passion and funding to bring it to you every day, consider becoming a sponsor. You can subscribe for exclusive content on Patreon, or make a once off donation on BuyMeACoffee (I’m “ruthlessimagery” on both accounts, or click the link on our website)xR

Alex answered the door of her family home in rural Antrim in full cosplay, and it made my day. She’s a confident, chatty young woman, but she wasn’t always so outgoing. Since she found her tribe of cosplayers and gamers, she has totally come out of her shell. You’ll find her at conventions, in full cosplay attire, either on stage lip syncing, having some professional photos taken, or chatting with like minded friends. It seems like a beautiful way to spend the day and a very heartwarming hobby. Come back tomorrow for another podcast/story/portrait. We’re interviewing and photographing people from all over Ireland, collecting their stories and sharing them daily. You can be a part of it too, Go to SinScealEile.ie for more information.If you love this series and you appreciate that it takes a lot of time, passion and funding to bring it to you every day, consider becoming a sponsor. You can subscribe for exclusive content on Patreon, or make a once off donation on BuyMeACoffee. xR

It’s a misty, grey day down in Galway. I met Eamonn at the Blackrock diving board, a place that so many people find comfort and solace in. Eamonn, who has bounced between Galway and Dublin his whole life, swims here every day, even throughout the winter. He’s just come out of the water when I met him, even though it’s absolutely baltic. Eamonn is an advocate for mental health and has been an ambassador for many charities. He speaks at events, and festivals and he presents talks in workplaces. Eamonn has the unique perspective of being able to speak from lived experience. Eamonn’s life seems to centre around volunteering for various charities. He keeps himself busy by helping others in any way that he can. He’ll be the first to raise his hand for a fundraiser, no matter what the event is. He’ll try his hand at anything if he thinks it’ll make an impact or help even just one person. You can have a little listen to our full chat, just search for Sin Scéal Eile wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify etc) or at our website, SinScealEile.Come back tomorrow for another podcast/story/portrait. We’re interviewing and photographing people from all over Ireland, collecting their stories and sharing them daily. You can be a part of it too, Go to SinScealEile.ie for more information.If you love this series and you appreciate that it takes a lot of time, passion and funding to bring it to you every day, consider becoming a sponsor. You can subscribe for exclusive content on Patreon, or make a once off donation on BuyMeACoffee. xR

It’s unusual to hear of big families these days, so when Cheyanne contacted me and told me she was one of 15, I jumped at the chance to chat to her. Her story is incredibly positive, growing up in a small house filled with love and bunk beds. She’s very proud of all that she has achieved in life, including her place at Uni, but credits her Mother above all else for her success. Come back tomorrow for another podcast/story/portrait. We’re interviewing and photographing people from all over Ireland, collecting their stories and sharing them daily. You can be a part of it too, Go to SinScealEile.ie for more information.If you love this series and you appreciate that it takes a lot of time, passion and funding to bring it to you every day, consider becoming a sponsor. You can subscribe for exclusive content on Patreon, or make a once off donation on BuyMeACoffee. xR

Have you ever wondered about owning a campervan? Lorcan has had 4 in his lifetime, and like myself, absolutely adores the lifestyle. It was great to meet a fellow campervan obsessive and really get to the nitty gritty of why we’re ‘mad for road’. Unlike me, Lorcan likes a compact and stealthy van, something neat that he can fit into his driveway. What we totally agree on though is the utter relief you get when you park up somewhere new, open the door to an epic view, and crack a cold drink and watch the sunset. Come back tomorrow for another podcast/story/portrait. We’re interviewing and photographing people from all over Ireland, collecting their stories and sharing them daily. You can be a part of it too, Go to SinScealEile.ie for more information.If you love this series and you appreciate that it takes a lot of time, passion and funding to bring it to you every day, consider becoming a sponsor. You can subscribe for exclusive content on Patreon, or make a once off donation on BuyMeACoffee. xR