COVID Lives

Breaking News In a Pandemic with Alison O'Reilly

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 07:00:00 GMT

They say that journalists write the first rough draft of history. In 50 years, we will be studying today's news reporting to understand how we handled the COVID-19 pandemic. In the final episode of the COVID Lives series, Gavin talks to print and broadcast journalist Alison O'Reilly about the stories she covered since March 2020. With a particularly fast news cycle, Alison shares how she has had to change her approach to covering the news.

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Promoting Self-Care In The Lockdown With Klara O'Leary

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 07:00:00 GMT

In October last year, Klara left her corporate job and embarked on setting up her own business. Care Box Collection allows people to purchase luxury boxes with self-care products for themselves or as gifts for loved ones. In the episode, she tells the story of what inspired her to establish the business and how the lockdown gave her the time and space to be entrepreneurial.

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Helping The Homeless on Dublin's Streets with Brandon O'Connor

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Brandon O'Connor is a 19 year-old from Donaghmede with an extraordinary story. He founded Dublin Homeless Awareness - a group which provides food, medical supplies and first responder services to those sleeping rough on the city’s streets.

Brandon shares his personal story which spurred him to set up the organisation and how he feels COVID-19 has impacted homelessness in Dublin.

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The Sisters Who Launched a Sustainable Business in a Pandemic

Sat, 24 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Earlier this summer sisters Maeve and Blaithin embarked on an ambitious project in Cavan town. With the pandemic having made changes to their working schedules, they decided to set up a shop - The Eco Shack. But this isn’t any type of shop - it’s the first of its kind in Cavan.

Maeve and Blaithin share their inspiration for launching their sustainable business and discuss what the past month has been like as first-time shopkeepers.

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Sitting The Leaving Cert in a Pandemic With Emer Neville

Sat, 17 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Arguably it was the lives of students and young people which faced the greatest disruption over the past year. Emer Neville is the President of the Irish Second Level Students' Union. She shares her experience of sitting the Leaving Cert during the pandemic, how she coped and her plans for the future.

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Minding Creative Minds With David Reid

Sat, 10 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMT

The work of the arts sector has been significantly hindered by the restrictions imposed during the pandemic. Musicians, artists, actors and others in the creative industries have faced a cut to their income and fewer opportunities to hone their craft.

Last summer David Reid founded the organisation Minding Creative Minds, looking out for those in the arts sector providing mentorship, mental health and career support. We discuss the kinds of challenges faced by creatives and how his organisation helps.

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Keeping Ireland Laughing Through Lockdown With Stevo Timothy

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 19:00:11 GMT

Stevo Timothy is an internet comedian from Galway, Ireland. He is best known for his 'Farmer Michael' character, who garnered a substantial audience throughout lockdown. Stevo shares his experience addressing difficult topics using humour. Alongside his comedy, Stevo is also an ambassador for the Irish Wheelchair Association. He has participated in a number of fundraising events for the charity recently. He speaks about his upcoming wheelchair boxing match against boxer Paddy Barnes.

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Life As A University Student With Harry McCann

Sat, 26 Jun 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Harry was a student in University College Cork throughout the pandemic and has been vocal in speaking up about issues facing young people over the past 16 months. He shares the challenges he faced and how he feels young people were unfairly blamed for being responsible for the spread of the virus.

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Building a Sneaker Cleaning Empire with Kevin Owens

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 23:07:00 GMT

In Transition Year of secondary school, Dublin student Kevin Owens launched his own shoe cleaning business - SneakerCleaner. Kevin now studying Visual Communications in college, didn’t waste a second of lockdown. He invested his free time in SneakerCleaner. They opened a location on Harcourt Street in Dublin and he has plans to expand around Ireland.

He discusses his business journey and shares his experience of being a college student over the past year.

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Bringing The Gym To People's Front Rooms With Emma Murphy

Sat, 12 Jun 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Emma Murphy is a personal trainer from Dublin. During the lockdown, she focused on helping people to maintain their fitness through her home workout programmes. She created a group called the MomSquad, developing a community of mothers who work out at home.

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Starting a Takeaway Business During Lockdown with Leonie Emdadian

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 07:00:00 GMT

In March 2020, Leonie Emdadian and her family were forced to close their restaurant ‘The Italian Connection’. Leonie didn’t rest. Instead, she set up her own food business - From Italy With Love - delivering at-home takeaway boxes. This idea morphed into ‘Glowberry’, her new project, which she will be opening in Brown Thomas soon. Leonie discusses her 18-hour workdays and how she has built a business from the ground up over the past year.

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Becoming a TikTok Superstar Through Music with Ryan Mack

Sat, 29 May 2021 07:00:48 GMT

Ryan Mack is a musician from Kildare and a former member of the Irish boyband Hometown. Over the past 14 months his covers, original songs and duets has led to his TikTok following growing to 1.2 million people. Ryan talks about his overnight success, not being able to perform live since early 2020 and how fame in and of itself doesn't always pay the bills.

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Giving a US Postal Truck a Second Life with The Coffee Post 1965

Sat, 22 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT

In late 2019, brothers John and Paul Blake embarked on setting up a new takeaway coffee business in Dublin. They set their sights on a 1965 Jeep Fleet Van, a former postal van which had been out of service since the 1990s. The van was shipped to Ireland, converted, painted and retrofitted. It has become the iconic 'Coffee Post 1965', seen selling coffee in various parts of Dublin. John and Paul explain how they transported the van across the world and why they set up a business during the pandemic.

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Creating Irish Women in Harmony with RuthAnne Cunningham

Sat, 15 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT

RuthAnne Cunningham is a singer-songwriter from Dublin who has penned songs for Britney Spears, Niall Horan and John Legend. In lockdown she embarked on a different project. Bringing together nearly 40 of Ireland’s top female musicians, RuthAnne created Irish Women in Harmony. Their charity single which covered The Cranberries song ‘Dreams’ raised over a quarter of a million euro for Safe Ireland and made Irish music history.

RuthAnne speaks about assembling a song without a proper studio, the music that got her through lockdown and the importance of collaboration between Irish women musicians.

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Helping a Nation to Cook with Guy Sinnott

Sat, 08 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Presented with more free time than ever before, many of us took the opportunity to expand our culinary repertoires in the past year. When the first lockdown was announced in March 2020 Guy Sinnott knew he would have a quiet couple of months professionally. He works for MCD Productions, a company best known for organising large scale concerts and music festivals. This prompted Guy to don his apron and set up an Instagram account, sharing simple recipes for comfort food. Throughout 2020, his popularity soared to just shy of 43,000 Instagram followers. He discusses this overnight success, his most popular dishes and which concert he most looks forward to post-pandemic.

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Missing Out on The Olympics With Lena Tice

Sat, 01 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Covid Lives is a podcast series that looks at Irish lives during this extraordinary time in history. The 16 part series will see host Gavin Dowd speaking with people all across the country who have unique and meaningful stories to tell about their lives during the Covid pandemic. Whether it involved looking out for others, starting something new or just finding ways to remain positive amidst the doom and gloom.

In the first episode, Gavin speaks to Lena Tice, a player on the Irish Women's Hockey Team. She discusses how the team coped since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed. Looking ahead at this summer's Olympics Games, she reveals which teams Ireland is most looking forward to taking on. And reflecting on the past year, Lena talks about the things she has used to distract herself from the constant stream of Covid-related news.

Produced by Wireless

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Localised Lockdowns & Learning From British Pubs

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 20:12:55 GMT

Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressed the nation on Friday evening after clusters in Kildare Laois and Offaly saw measures put in place to try and prohibit further infection in the regions. The Irish Sun’s Adam Higgins brings all the latest news around what Ireland’s first localised lockdowns mean for the region, as well as whether the working conditions for those working in meat processing plants associated with the lockdowns were a cause for concern.

Also, in a busy week of COVID related news around Ireland, the government also made a decision on Tuesday to once again pause any further movement into Phase Four of the Roadmap To Reopening. Finn McRedmond, a London based Irish Times writer, joins host Ian Doyle to discuss what Ireland might be able to learn from how British pubs have been operating during the pandemic.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Transforming Ireland’s Cities & Our Vulnerable Essential Workers

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:20:44 GMT

Thursday night's press conference from The Department of Health in Dublin was one of the more memorable encounters of recent, as Ireland saw its largest spike in cases for a number of weeks, with worrying clusters developing in various work settings as well as a Direct Provision Center. With all eyes on August 10th, knowing that a further pause of the lockdown roadmap is very much possible, Ireland’s precarious position over the past few weeks continues as uncertainty grows over a second wave growing speed.

This week's podcast dives into why some sectors and professions are not only more inclined to catch COVID-19, but also likely to be more vulnerable to the worst outcomes of the virus if infected. Dr Brendan Walsh is a Research Officer for the ESRI and authored a new report looking at how some essential workers are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Host Ian Doyle speaks to him about how they were able to use labour force survey data, to see where people living with chronic conditions are most likely to work in Ireland.

Also in the podcast, with many Irish cities fast tracking new policies and public infrastructure to “COVID proof” their urban areas, The Irish Independent’s Ralph Riegel discusses how COVID-19 has sped up the transformation of some Irish City Centers by as much as a decade.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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How The Pandemic Is Affecting Children & The Government Stimulus Package

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:05:19 GMT

Episode 37 of Viral: COVID-19 looks at the effects the pandemic has had on children and young people as well as the ins and outs of the July stimulus package published the Irish government this week, which includes €7 billion worth of economic incentives for businesses and workers. Paul O'Donoghue fromThe Times, Ireland Edition joins host Ian Doyle for a thorough run-through of everything you need to know about how the package will affect Ireland over the next 9 months.

Emer Smyth who is a Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute joins later in the podcast to discuss a report published by the ESRI and The Department of Children and Youth Affairs looking into the effects of the pandemic restrictions on children and young people. Many of the results highlighted just how difficult these past few months have been, particularly for those in disadvantaged or vulnerable living surroundings.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Revisiting Lockdown & Pandemic Ethics

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 21:01:53 GMT

On Wednesday evening Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced the government's decision to stall its current position on the Irish roadmap out of lockdown until August 10th at earliest. The decision did not come as much of a surprise, as in recent days Ireland has seen a worrying trend of increased cases and clusters form around the country. From the outset of the roadmap it was made clear that it was a “living document”, and now the possibility of regressing towards a more confined society is becoming more of a potential each day.

The initial weeks of Ireland’s full lockdown go down in history. It is something that was unprecedented in everyone's own lifetime, but now having had the experience first time around, there are many things that could have been carried out differently. Today’s episode addresses just this, as host Ian Doyle looks at the ethics of lockdown with Dr Andrea Mulligan, Assistant Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin. Andrea wrote an article focused on the community's role during a pandemic, and she discusses some of the paradoxes between health officials acting fast, having a genuine two way dialogue with the public health advice.

Later in the podcast Professor Ivan Perry, Head of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College Cork discusses what it means to be a zero COVID island, and why Ireland’s current strategy might leave us feeling the worst of both worlds.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Ireland’s Complex Relationship With The UK During COVID-19

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 17:02:07 GMT

Episode 35 of Viral:COVID-19 looks deep into what Ireland’s physical and political relationship with the United Kingdom means for our own autonomy and decision making when it comes to COVID-19 policy making.

For a number of weeks speculation has mounted on when a “green list” of countries would be published, not requiring passengers to quarantine when arriving home from international travel, but on Tuesday the Irish Government announced an extension of their Covid-19 advice on overseas travel until July 20th at the earliest.

Naomi O’Leary, The Irish Times Europe Correspondent and host of The Irish Passport Podcast looks at “How Ireland’s travel policy is curbed by Britain” in part one of the epsiode, as she discusses the complex nature of our relationship with our nearest neighbours and why clear leadership is imperative to resolve this during the COVID crisis and beyond.

Later in the podcast host Ian Doyle is joined by Dr Jack Lambert - Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Genitourinary Medicine at the Matter University Hospital, who believes that the newly formed Irish Government need to look at wider measures that will help the public and economy progress with their previous routines, including potentially fewer restrictions on foreign travel.

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Produced by UrbanMedia

Music by Psykick

The Irish Passport

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A New Approach To School

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 17:33:59 GMT

Nearly four months since their initial closure, Schools around the country received confirmation and guidance this week on how they will reopen come September, as new Education Minister Norma Burke released a framework on the logistics battle facing teachers, principles and classrooms in the months ahead. Today on the podcast host Ian Doyle speaks to Deirdre O'Connor, Assistant General Secretary of INTO, who details the challenges and difficulties that the sector face in the coming months.

The second half of the podcast looks at the power of community, as Deirdre Garvey CEO of The Wheel talks about the outreach programme they helped coordinate with Irish Rural Link responding to meet the needs of over 134,000 cocooners across the island. She also warns about the impact of the pandemic on peoples’ mental health and wellbeing across the country, which she believes will be felt for some time to come.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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“Summer Is Not Lost” - Holidays & COVID-19

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 13:56:10 GMT

Only a matter of weeks ago, many across the country believed that it could be Autumn at the earliest, before the prospect of any recreational travel would be feasible. Like many aspects of this health crisis, things move quickly and as has Ireland successfully contained the spread of Covid - 19 within the community reducing its R Number in the process, the feasibility of both domestic and international holidaymaking has increased dramatically.

As the country heads into the final weekend of Phase 2, host Ian Doyle touch chats with John Burke, MD of The Armada hotel in Co. Clare to discuss what a staycation could look like for those lucky enough to get a break from the reality of “a new normal”, this summer. John is not only a leading hotelier, but also a world class adventurer having reached the summer of Mt Everest in 2017. Overcoming adversity is something he revels in, in the chat lets us know how they adapted to keep the business afloat, over the past 3 months since lockdown began.

As European progress against the virus continues, talks have intensified between EU countries on establishing a number of “air-bridges” in a hope to resurrect the holiday season for countries around the continent. Pat Dawson, CEO of The Irish Travel Agents Association lets us know what we can expect from the impending “air-bridge” programs, what we can expect to hear from the government in the coming days, andwhere might be on the books for a summer holiday this year ?

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Can Face Mask Compliance Create A COVID Free Island

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 23:13:47 GMT

Since the beginning of the COVID - 19 outbreak globally, the effectiveness of face-masks and face-coverings has caused widespread debate here in Ireland and internationally. In comparison to other European countries, Ireland has yet to implement mandatory covering in enclosed spaces such as supermarkets or on public transport.

On episode 32 of Viral COVID-19, host Ian Doyle speaks with Professor Anthony Staines of Dublin City University on why he feels that facemasks are one of key factors in getting Ireland to a zero case scenario, and what ways the country can capitalise on a COVID free environment.

Dr Richard Stutt of Cambridge University also discusses a recent study identifying that homemade masks can dramatically reduce transmission rates if enough people wear them in public. He also discusses the science behind who benefits most from public adoption of these practices.

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A Second Wave - What Can Ireland Learn From Iran’s Mistakes?

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 23:00:00 GMT

At the beginning of May, Iran (one of the world's worst affected COVID - 19 regions) began to reduce their own lockdown measures, opening up Mosques and public transport systems in a move deemed by many as irresponsibly premature. In the four weeks since, Iran has seen a mass resurgence of the virus, as positive case results pass its previous worst heights from mid-April. Episode 30 of Viral COVID - 19 looks at whether the first instances of international resurgences should act as a warning signal for Ireland, as the country prepares to head into Phase Two of reopening lockdown.

Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic Editor for The Guardian was present in Tehran as the virus originally began to take hold, and he speaks to host Ian Doyle about the repercussions of a second wave on a country already rife with political unrest. Later in the podcast virus and transmission expert Professor Gerry Kileen analyses the threat of a second wave here in Ireland, if tougher restrictions aren't introduced.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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The Importance Of How Science Operates

Fri, 29 May 2020 12:52:09 GMT

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the scientific practises of Virology and Epidemiology have come into the daily conversation like never before, with a large majority of the population holding some grasp on the science behind COVID - 19.

Shane Bergin is a Physicist & Assistant Prof in Science Education at UCD, and joins host Ian Doyel of Fridays edition of Viral:COVID - 19 to discuss what scientific method entails, and why it is so important. In the conversation Shane speaks about the necessary changes that need to be made in future, as to how science in Ireland is funded, debated and thought in the school system. They also look at some of the positive parallels between the COVID-19 response and what is possible to tackle the climate emergency

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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“A Pink Collar Recession” - Gender Inequality & COVID - 19

Tue, 26 May 2020 23:01:00 GMT

The economic and social fallout from the COVID 19 outbreak is still unclear, and the shape in which the global economy is impacted is a continually developing story. Early indications suggest, that unlike the financial crash of 2008, which predominantly affected “blue-collar, middle-aged, male workers” in industries such as manufacturing and construction, the fallout from COVID 19 is likely to most impact industries that are female-dominated. A growing concern is that will create a much greater knock-on effect than short to medium term unemployment of millions of woman that we are currently seeing.

Episode 28 of Viral COVID -19 looks at the issue of enhanced gender inequality because of the pandemic. Host Ian Doyle is joined by Celina Ribeiro, a freelance journalist who writes for The Guardian to speak about the prospect of a “Pink Collard Recession” in the years following COVID 19 . Later in the podcast, Orla O’Connor - Director of The National Women’s Council of Ireland discusses what social infrastructure is needed for Ireland to create a more sustainable landscape for women returning to work.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Care Homes During COVID - 19, What Can We Learn After Disaster?

Thu, 21 May 2020 23:01:57 GMT

From early on in the fight against the Coronavirus outbreak, the Government’s most challenging issue has been limiting the spread of infection among Ireland’s residential care homes. In Ireland over 840 people have lost their lives to the virus while living in residential care facilities. This represents over 60% of all COVID-19 related deaths around the country. It has been no secret that how this continues to be handled, will in years to come, be one of the lead stories in how we remember the virus on this island. Episode 27 of Viral: COVID - 19 hear’s first hand about the devastating effect Coronavirus is having in Irish nursing homes and look at what type of future these settings will have in years to come.

One of those to tragically pass away was Rose Hegarty, and 84-year-old resident of St Marys Hospital in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Rose lost her life to the virus after contracting it in the HSE run care facility which caters for 150 residents and has been struck with 24 fatalities so far. Host Ian Doyle speaks to Rose’s niece Jane Carrigan about their families experience of losing a loved one to COVID 19, and what needs to be done to stop further preventable deaths in Irish care facilities.

Later in the podcast, Ian speaks with Professor Gerard Quinn, one of Europe’s leading authorities on International Disability Law and Policy. Gerard discusses why he feels that in a post-COVID 19 society, Nursing Homes must completely cease to exist, and why provisions should be put in favour of community-based care settings for the elderly.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Can COVID - 19 Help Us Prepare For The Climate Crisis?

Tue, 19 May 2020 23:02:00 GMT

The past 10 weeks, has seen vast global changes in nearly every part of peoples daily routines. The world has adapted how they work, travel and socialise all in a truly effective global effort to limit the spread of the virus. More impressive was the ability for this to happen in such a short space of time. On the podcast today we look at whether the impact of COVID 19 can help us prepare for the climate crisis - the worlds next global emergency.

Norman Crowley is one of Ireland’s most successful environmental entrepreneurs and the CEO of Crowley Carbon and The Cool Planet Group, which employs over 400 people. He joins host Ian Doyle, to discuss the importance of messaging around a crisis, what effect immediacy and timeliness has the public’s perception of danger.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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The Future Of Air Travel & Holidays

Tue, 12 May 2020 21:42:56 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID - 19 as it continues to affect Ireland and the international world in a growing capacity.

On the podcast today we look at the future of airline travel, and what holiday options are available to consumers this year and next. Ryanair, one of the worlds busiest airlines announced this week that it intends to resume 40% of its commercial flights by July 1’st, but unfortunately, the 3 month’s of grounded aircraft has lead to mass job loses within the airline industry and within Ryanair themselves. CEO Michael O’Leary announced that they will begin to let go, 3,000 staff - 15% of its workforce in a bid to cut costs. Pól Ó Conghaile Travel Editor for The Irish Independent chatted to us about what Europes biggest airline laid out, in its roadmap to resume service - and what that might teach us about how air travel will look in the future.

Host Ian Doyle is also joined by Niall Gibbons CEO of Tourism Ireland, who are responsible for promoting international tourism to the island of Ireland. The organisation have a massive responsibility and pull for promoting visitors to Ireland, but are in “a once in a lifetime crisis” as the their industry has crawled to a literal standstill since the middle of March.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Ireland’s Childcare Struggles For Phase One Of Reopening

Fri, 08 May 2020 10:38:59 GMT

On Wednesday Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs formally announced the government’s plans to begin the phased reopening of childcare facilities around Ireland. As part of the plan, personal from the sector are due to begin working in the homes of Ireland’s healthcare workers. The terms of this agreement, however, have caused some dispute within the sector, particularly around concerns on potentially unsafe working conditions.

Episode 24 of Viral COVID - 19 look’s at how Ireland’s childcare plan will be implemented in phase one, and whether it is possible to do so in a manner that prevents further contraction of COVID 19. Host Ian Doyle is joined by Teresa Heeny CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, Norin Hayes Visiting Professor at The School of Education Trinity College Dublin, and Jennifer Whitmore Social Democrat’s TD for Wicklow.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Musci by Psykick

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Questioning The Future Of Ireland’s Leaving Cert Exams

Wed, 06 May 2020 22:59:06 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID 19 as it continues to affect Ireland and the international world in a growing capacity.

One of the lingering questions throughout the duration of this crisis, has been what will happen with this years leaving cert students, who in regular circumstances would be exactly 5 weeks away from sitting down to write English Paper One.

Episode 23 of Viral COVID - 19 looks at whether there is any way to conduct this summer’s years examinations in a safe and equitable manner, and investigates what the pandemic teaches us about the pathway to higher education here in Ireland.

Thomas Byrne, Fianna Fail’s spokesperson on Education discusses why in his eyes a complete cancellation of this summers examinations is the only fair outcome for students, and Cecilia Munro, President of Ballyfermot of Education discusses her opinions on how COVID 19 offers a potential to revamp the Irish Second and Third Level education sector.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Are The Public A Scapegoat For A Lockdown Extension?

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 22:10:35 GMT

Since the beginning of the crisis, the messaging from the government - to the public has been consistent in terms of keeping the fight against COVID going. There has been a huge amount of support and congratulations for the hard sacrifices and determination from the county collectively.

This however changed last Friday, as we heard signals from Leo Varadkar, Simon Harris and CMO Dr Tony Holohan about their growing concern around the publics continued effort in social distancing. A narrative began to form on whether people around the country were becoming lax in their daily routine?

Mark Paul is Business Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times, and during the week he wrote a piece suggesting the government are now using the public as a scapegoat to avoid tough questions in relation to shortcomings in testing and contact tracing, as a continuation of lockdown looks ever more certain. Ian Doyle spoke to him about whether these messages were just, and where the weakness lies in the governments public testing policies?

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Ireland’s Path To Removing Lockdown

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 23:12:46 GMT

On Friday Leo Varadkar will address the nation regarding what potential measures might be lightened past the 5th of May, as Ireland closes in on its 7th week of Lockdown. As the days draw, closer vast changes are seemingly less likely, as testing and ICU figures are still not close enough from their desired level. Episode 21 of the podcast looks at what exactly needs to fall into place before Ireland begins to move in that direction, but also how the country is fairing with life in their 2-kilometre radius so far.

Dr Akke Velinga is an epidemiologist and the joint research lead of the Corona Citizens’ Science study - a countrywide survey conducted by research teams at NUI Galway (NUIG) and Dublin City University which looked at the impact COVID 19 and its associated restrictions has had on daily lives of people around the country. I spoke to her about the findings of the results, and what her predictions are for life after May 5th.

Ian also spoke to Dr Gabriel Scally, Public Healthy Physician and President of Epidemiology & Public Health at the Royal Society of Medicine about where Ireland finds itself now, and what must take place before life slowly trickles back to any sort of normality?

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Socialising In A Socially Distanced World - Ireland’s Hospitality Industry

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 00:11:54 GMT

Ireland is now currently awaiting further instruction on reduced lockdown conditions which are due on May 5th but, as we have discussed on the podcast in recent days - these will be carried out on a phased basis.

For many, the things that give us the most joy in life revolve around the hospitality industry; eating out, dancing in a bar or a nightclub or catching up with friends in a busy pub for a drink. These are furthest down the pecking order in terms of re-opening, and if signals last week from The Minister for Health are to believed - we may not see a return of them until a vaccine is found. On today’s podcast, we look at the future of going out as Ireland’s hospitality industry is on now facing clear irreparable damage. Ian Doyle is joined by Micheline Starred Chef JP McMahon and Padraig Cribben & Donal O’Keefe from Irelands two leading Vintner representative bodies.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Presented by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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A Once In A Lifetime Recession

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 23:17:42 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID - 19, as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in a growing capacity.

Episode 19 of Viral: COVID - 19 looks at the future of Ireland’s economy, as the world prepares for its worst global recession in nearly a century. On Tuesday afternoon, Paschal Donohoe laid out the government’s Stability Programme Update, setting its economic forecast for the year ahead. The predictions made were shocking and difficult to believe. A forecast of 22% unemployment for the year, paired with a 10.5% economy shrink would have bee truly unimaginable in the weeks preceding the Coronavirus crisis, as Ireland’s workforce was at full employment - its strongest position in over a decade.

Senan Moloney was covering this story for The Times Ireland Edition, and spoke to Ian Doyle about what it could mean for the state in the years to come.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

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Why COVID-19 Is Killing UK Citizens At A Much Higher Rate Than Ireland

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 20:18:13 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID - 19 as it continues to affect Ireland and the international world in a growing capacity.

Both Ireland and The UK are living in extremely similar lockdown conditions currently, with schools, colleges and non-essential workplaces closed. With a similar health system and health resources per capita, and assumption might be made that both countries would be on par in relation to fatalities and confirmed cases. This however, has not been the case.

One of the major policy differences that we saw early on was the UK’s initial reluctance to begin a national lockdown. Their two-week delay may prove to be critical - as they are reporting death rates of up to 3.4 times more than their nearest neighbour in Ireland. Elaine Doyle a writer and researcher with a special interest in medicinal history breaks down these figures and looks into why the UK governments slow response may have caused the lives of thousands.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s ICU Points Evaluation & The Chequered Past of Home-working

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 20:06:38 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID 19 as it continues to affect Ireland and the International world in a growing capacity.

Intensive care unit capacity has been one of the focal points in Ireland’s approach to combating the Coronavirus outbreak, and a huge emphasis since day one, has been made in maximising the allocation of resources. On today's podcast , The Irish Sun’s Adam Higgins speaks about a Patient Evaluation Process being carried out at major hospitals along the west coast of Ireland, that ranks patients numerically by age, medical conditions and sometimes by gender in a bid to prioritise ICU capacity.

We also take a look at the chequered past of Home-working and discuss whether a cultural move towards remote work is something that only benefits the privileged in society with Helen McCarthy, Cambridge University Historian and author of Double Lives: A History of Working Motherhood.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Global Race To Find A Vaccine

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 14:08:01 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID 19 as it continues to affect Ireland and the international world in a growing capacity.

Today’s episode looked at whether the global rush to find a vaccine for the Coronavirus pandemic is getting any closer to completion. Eilish O’Regan, Health Correspondent for The Irish Independent spoke in detail on what a potential Vaccine will look like, and the many obstacles that prohibit it being rolled out in the short term. Ahead of further lockdown enforcements, we also look at what developments will have to take place, for measures to begin reducing across the country.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How False 5G Claims Became So Normalised

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 23:55:02 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID - 19, as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in a growing capacity.

Since the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak in Ireland, we have faced huge problems with containing the circulation of rumour and speculation, relating to all manner of events. In the beginning, most rumours that managed to grow legs related to army enforced lockdown scenarios, which created an increased level of anxiety for many people awaiting further developments.

In recent weeks, on an international level, we have seen the 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory morph into something larger, gradually becoming an opinion held by a small but still substantial section of the population both here and internationally. On today’s podcast we look at how that came to be and whether there is any substance behind it, with The Guardian’s Media Editor - Jim Waterson.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Johnson In ICU & Death In Exceptional Times

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 00:35:36 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID - 19, as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in growing capacity.

Last week the Irish Government set guidelines for how funeral services should take place, while still adhering social-distancing restrictions during the COVID - 19 crisis. Episode 14 of the podcast looks at what complications might take place by changing the ways to honour the dead, to adhere to new measures.

Professor Salvador Ryan who is one of Ireland's foremost experts in the traditions surrounding death and loss is joined by Orla Keegan – Head of Education and Bereavement Services at The Irish Hospice Foundation to give their opinion on grief and the tradition of death in Ireland.

The Sun’s Digital Political Editor Natasha Clark also joins live from London sharing the latest news surrounding Boris Johnson’s health, as news circulated on Monday night that he had been admitted to ICU in Thomas’ Hospital.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heightened Pressure For Ireland’s Homeless Services

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 00:20:28 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID - 19, as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in growing capacity.

Homelessness and housing were the second most important issues behind health in the Irish General Election last February, and now more than ever before, the COVID - 19 crisis is a very precise juncture where these social and political issues link.

Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin's spokesman on housing and TD for Dublin Mid-West gives his take on the shortcomings of Ireland’s approach to aiding the homeless population during the pandemic. Pat Doyle CEO of The Peter McVerry Trust sheds light at their challenges ahead and substantial wins so far, and Lorna Siggins unveils shocking revelations about several asylum seekers who have been turned away from their accommodation upon release from hospital after positive COVID - 19 diagnoses.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food For Thought - Keeping Ireland Fed

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 23:41:40 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID - 19, as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in growing capacity.

Episode 12 looks at the vital role food can play in combating the Coronavirus pandemic, as Sarah Keogh one of Ireland's lead dieticians dissects what foods will help keep the body and mind in the best condition during the extended quarantine period.

We also investigate the logistics that go into supplying food to members of Ireland’s more vulnerable community with Bernardo’s Mary Gamble and Seamus Boland from Irish Rural Link.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland's Housing Crisis In The Midst Of A Pandemic

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 21:28:20 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID - 19, as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in growing capacity.

As Ireland’s temporarily unemployed numbers reach close to 300,000, this podcast look’s at how renters and homeowners fair in the government’s emergency housing legislation announced late last week. Ian Doyle speaks to The Times Ireland Editions’s Paul O’Donoghue and John Mark McCafferty - Chairman of Threshold, Ireland’s housing charity.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why The Public Health System Needs To Change

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 01:00:09 GMT

On episode 10 of the podcast, we look at what the Coronavirus outbreak teaches us about Ireland’s Public Healthcare System, How it differs from general medicine and whether it’s essentially fit for purpose. As a disclaimer, we do not mean Public Healthcare in the sense of Ireland’s public vs private hospital services, but rather the approach to medicine that is concerned with the health of the community as a whole rather than the individual. Priscilla Lynch editor of The Medical Independent goes through this and more in a podcast packed with real insight into how Ireland’s overall healthcare service functions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making "The New Normal" Work At Home

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:17:44 GMT

Viral is a podcast series looking at the spread of COVID - 19, as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in growing capacity.

Contrary to popular speculation, “lockdown” measures were not introduced by the government yesterday afternoon, but plenty of news surrounding healthcare, social welfare and business closures were announced, in another monumental speech from An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. In Episode 9 of the podcast, The Irish Sun’s Adam Higgins who was at the conference speaks about the finer details of some of these new measures, and when we can expect to hear further news.

We also speak to Early Childhood Psychologist Dr Mary O’Kane about anxiety in the family unit, and how to make “the new normal” more liveable.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What The Pandemic Looks Like On Six Different Continents

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 18:58:41 GMT

As Ireland settles into its second full week of restricted measures, and awaits more potential news in the coming days, episode 7 of Viral: COVID - 19 look at news from the wider world, to see what way the Coronavirus is effecting peoples lives on a day to day basis.

Over the past 2 days, we have chatted to six Irish people on six different continents about their own personal experience as well as the restrictions and measures that have been put in place in their own region.

From Adisa Abba to Buenos Aries, there are very few places on earth the virus hasn’t proliferated at this stage, it is clear from this episode that everyone’s lives have been disrupted in one form or another.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minding Your Money During COVID - 19

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 02:00:02 GMT

On episode 7, we are looking at some of the most common personal finance questions our listeners have, as Ireland see’s 58,000 people sign on for COVID 19 unemployment welfare in under two weeks.

Personal Finance Expert Paul Merriman from AskPaul.ie joins Ian to discuss how we can all be more financially secure in the coming weeks and months ahead.

In the chat, he looks at the recently announced mortgage moratorium and it's potential caveats, how SME’s can keep afloat while also paying their staff, and whether or not online bank Revolut is on the verge of collapse?

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Racist Reaction To COVID - 19

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 01:02:47 GMT

Viral is a Podcast series following the spread of COVID - 19 as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in a growing capacity.

As Coronavirus cases rise rapidly across the island post-St Patricks Day, we are going to look at how the virus has seen an increase in racist behaviour towards some of Ireland’s Chinese community in recent weeks

We speak to Chinese Irish artist Jin Yong as well as Brian Killoran, CEO of the Irish Council of Immigrants to get their take on COVID 19 related racist behaviour as well and what actions need to be taken.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Business Survive COVID - 19 ?

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 02:00:00 GMT

As COVID 19 puts a stop to trade and industry around the globe, the economic impacts of the virus could be felt for years to come.

Late last week Leo Varadkar spoke about the imminent consequences that the Coronavirus will certainly have on the economy of Ireland and the wider world.

On episode 5 of Viral: COVID - 19, we wanted to look a little closer to home and see how a selection of Irish businesses and workers are faring, in the early days of the global pandemic.

In the episode, we look at a wide array of businesses, SME’s and freelance workers, to try and cypher how the country at large is gearing up for turbulent months ahead.

Many are now facing a new professional environment for the weeks to come, so we also look at how remote working will play a major role in continuing to function as an economy but also a society.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lockdown Reaction From The Irish Public

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 00:46:29 GMT

Viral is a Podcast series following the spread of COVID - 19 as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in a growing capacity

Today’s podcast is a special program dedicated to Leo Varadkar’s lockdown announcement from Washington DC but more specifically the public reaction at home to it. We talk stockpiling, contingency plans and childcare woe’s with the people a wide variety of concerned, and not so concerned citizens.

Adam Higgins from The Irish Sun also joins, to talk through the latest news to come out of the department of health press conference live from Baggot street in Dublin on Thursday night.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First Irish Death Confirmed & What Makes A Person At Risk?

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 23:46:51 GMT

Viral is a Podcast series following the spread of COVID - 19, as it continues to affect Ireland and the International World in a growing capacity. It delves into how a global story on this level, can be fuelled by internet speculation and Viral phenomena, and what effect that has on the factual reporting of the news.

Episode 3 of the mini-series looks at the theme of “at risk groups” and what that term really actually means. In the episode, they speak to Dr Lindsay Broadbent, an expert Virologist from Queens University Belfast, who looks at what factors put others in this category,

Ian also speaks to Vicky Phelan, a woman’s health advocate living with terminal cervical cancer, to discuss how the Coronavirus has changed many parts of her life for the foreseeable future.

The Irish Sun’s Danny De Vall also covers the latest news from the Department of health, as Ireland first COVID 19 death is confirmed in the east of the country.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 New Cases Confirmed & The Harm Caused By Hysteria

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 01:00:46 GMT

In episode two of the mini-series, we look at whether panic and hysteria are taking control of Ireland, as rumours of mass closures circulate around the country. Brendan Kelly who is professor of Psychiatry at trinity college Dublin, discusses why his hypothesis that hysteria will undermine efforts to contain the Coronavirus, and why it’s ultimately essential for the public to trust it’s health systems during the spread of the virus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

St. Patrick's Day Parade Cancelled & The Science Behind COVID - 19 Transmission

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 23:56:25 GMT

Presented by Ian Doyle, each episode will open with a live update from Ireland’s Department of Health speaking to some of the countries leading journalists about the breaking Coronavirus news at home and abroad.

In todays episode Ian is joined by The Irish Sun's Adam Higgins as they discuss an extremely busy day of activity in the Department of Health and Department of The Taoiseach. Ian is also joined by leading Virologist Dr Kim Roberts to discuss the science behind transmission, and how we can protect ourselves best from the spread of COVID - 19.

Further episodes this week will also feature reports on How Businesses Are Future-proofing Themselves For COVID - 19 and Coronaviruses Impact On Racism In Ireland. Some of the countries most prolific Scientists, Virologists and Health-Care professionals will also be joining the conversation, as they go deep on the science behind the COVID-19 and how we can best protect ourselves from its proliferation.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts to get the most up to date and relevant Coronavirus information. Episodes out Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Produced by UrbanMedia

Hosted by Ian Doyle

Music by Psykik

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Viral: COVID - 19 - Trailer

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 10:04:00 GMT

Viral is a Podcast series following the spread of COVID - 19 as it continues to effect Ireland and the International World in a growing capacity.

Episodes will also look at how a global story on this level, can be fuelled by internet speculation and what effect that has on the factual reporting of the virus.

Each episode will be looking to debunk some of the myths around the Coronavirus outbreak and establish deeper information on how it is affecting Ireland as a whole.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.