The Leeside Lives Podcast

Leeside Lives is back for a new season in 2023! In this bonus episode, to celebrate Ireland Reads 2023, members of the Cork Prose Collective speak about the joys and wonder of reading. There's lots of recommended reading mentioned throughout. Thanks to Donal Hayes, Sue O'Connor, Assumpta Curran, Nick Smith and Janet Heeran for speaking on the episode, which is a crossover with The SWERVE Podcast. Ireland ReadsOn February 25th we’re inviting people of all ages to get reading.One minute, ten minutes, an hour, or more – it doesn’t matter how long you read for or what you read!Why? Because taking some time for yourself to relax and do the things you enjoy (like reading) is important to help look after your mental wellbeing.Take the pledge below and see how many minutes people all over Ireland will be reading for on February 25th.Ireland Reads is a is an initiative of the government of Ireland, funded by Healthy Ireland and supported by public libraries, and many organisations that promote literacy and the arts.

In this episode, I read my short story (Over The Bar) and poem (The Painter On The Beach), which both feature in issue one of SWERVE Magazine. SWERVE features new writing from over 20 Cork contributors. It was beautifully designed and edited by Mich Maroney and features wonderful images of the Irish countryside. For more SWERVE material,visit www.swervemagazine.org, listen to The Swerve Sessions on Buzzsprout, check SWERVE out on Instagram (@swerve_magazine) or Twitter (@magazine_swerve)

Mike Darcy of The Friary in Cork talks about arranging quirky bar events, his years as a singing caveman, accumulating arguably the world's whackiest shirt collection and the reason why there are lots of Nicholas Cage photos to be found at the bar.    LLP has surpassed 1000 downloads - thank you for your continued support! 

Cork writer Tadhg Coakley makes a welcome return to the pod. Following the launch of his latest publication, 'The Game', the Mallow native speaks about sporting memories, the darker side of professional sport, the masterpiece that is 'Prosinecki' by Adrian Duncan, the crime writing of Jo Nesbo, and much more! Plus, Tadhg has an update about the follow up to his One City, One Book novel, 'Whatever It Takes'....

Paul Casey is a poet from Cork and is also the founder and director of Ó Bhéal. Here he speaks about growing up in Africa, his writing routine and the therapeutic possibilities of poetry.  Paul reads the poem, Question Of Memory, from his collection, Virtual Tides (Salmon Poetry, 2016).    

Newsreader Pearse McCarthy talks about the glory days of pirate radio, recovering from a health scare, the ever-changing media landscape and supporting Everton. 

Cork singer/songwriter Dave Burke talks about his LP (Fulfil The Wish), supporting Ipswich Town FC and meeting one of his all-time heroes.  Dave also performs Be Easy In Your Heart and Seeing With Different Eyes live for the podcast. 

The LLP Podcast returns after a hiatus!  This bonus episode to launch season two is a special tribute show to one of Ireland's greatest poets, Derek Mahon, who had a very strong connection to Kinsale.  Listen in as Matthew Geden, Kevin Goggin and David Peare remember the life and writings of the late, Derek Mahon.  The Poems (1961-2020) by Derek Mahon is published by The Gallery Press