My Journey Home

14/11/2023

UP NEXT IS ANGLO-CELT COLUMNIST GERARD SMITH FROM LONDON WHO MOVED TO CAVAN IN 2018 TO PURSUE HIS WRITING CAREER

Gerard Smith was born in Manchester, England, to Irish emigrant parents from Cavan. He moved to Ireland in 1977 and again in 2018 having lived in London for 30 years. Brexit drew him back to Ireland where he is pursuing writing as a career. He is now working on his second memoir and writes a weekly column for the local paper The Anglo Celt.

Find out more on Sunday 19th of November 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM. Replay on Tuesdays 8-9pm.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

14/11/2023

DID YOU MISS IT? Listen to the podcast (12th Nov 23) - Mercy Sule from Nigeria lived in a convent in Co.Mayo for 9 years and is now happily settled in Virginia

Mercy Sule from Delta State, Nigeria moved to Co. Mayo in 1996 with a Nigerian nun and lived in a Catholic convent for 9 years. Being among the first coloured people in the area, she got used to the locals staring at her and became attuned to the Irish accent and food. She moved to Skerries in Dublin in 2005 to bring up her daughter while working as a carer, and is now happily settled in Virginia since 2007 where she continues to look after the elderly. Now living in Ireland for 27 years, she is still very much Nigerian by heart and is proud of her strong Nigerian-English accent, and sings lively, rhythmic ethnic songs. She wants to give back kindness to Ireland which welcomed and pampered her through the years and has integrated well by helping in the community and giving migrants and women a voice. She advices newcomers to be patient and not be ashamed to ask questions.

Mercy Sule from Nigeria lived in a convent in Co.Mayo for 9 years and is now happily settled in Virginia. she joined Vanda Brady on

12/11/2023

Mercy Sule from Delta State, Nigeria moved to Co. Mayo in 1996 with a Nigerian nun and lived in a Catholic convent for 9 years. Being among the first coloured people in the area, she got used to the locals staring at her and became attuned to the Irish accent and food. She moved to Skerries in Dublin in 2005 to bring up her daughter while working as a carer, and is now happily settled in Virginia since 2007 where she continues to look after the elderly. Now living in Ireland for 27 years, she is still very much Nigerian by heart and is proud of her strong Nigerian-English accent, and sings lively, rhythmic ethnic songs. She wants to give back kindness to Ireland which welcomed and pampered her through the years and has integrated well by helping in the community and giving migrants and women a voice. She advices newcomers to be patient and not be ashamed to ask questions. Listen to the replay on Tuesday 8-9pm on Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM. Listen to the podcast https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/mercy-sule-232506.

06/11/2023

WHO IS OUR NEXT GUEST? IT’S MERCY SULE FROM NIGERIA

In 1996, Mercy Sule traveled from Nigeria to a convent in Co. Mayo through the help of a Nigerian reverend sister. She moved to Skerries then to Virginia in Cavan in 2007 where she now works as a carer and supports people in need.

Find out more on Sunday 12th of November 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM. Replay on Tuesdays 8-9pm.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

06/11/2023

DID YOU MISS IT? (Podcast Nov 5th 2023)

Nigerian doctor and psychiatrist Idara Udo makes Cavan her home.

Born in Warri and raised in Port Harcourt, Nigerian doctor and psychiatrist Idara Udo is the eldest with three brothers and grew up in a sheltered village set up for a multinational company where her father worked. She completed Biological Sciences in Ghana and studied medicine in Romania where she lived for 8 years. She was surrounded by people of different nationalities but the federal government school she studied in, the local church, and traditional Nigerian upbringing at home kept her connected to her roots. In 2013, work led her to Castlebar, then Mullingar and finally Cavan where she has embraced the local arts and culture and has been involved in community events and activities. For people interested to come to Ireland, she recommends to do some research first and to integrate once in the county which is now her home.

Idara Udo makes Cavan her home. Nigerian doctor and psychiatrist Idara Udo is the eldest with three brothers and grew up in a sheltered

05/11/2023

Another interesting guest in the show tonight! Born in Warri and raised in Port Harcourt, Nigerian doctor and psychiatrist Idara Udo is the eldest with three brothers and grew up in a sheltered village set up for a multinational company where her father worked. She completed Biological Sciences in Ghana and studied medicine in Romania where she lived for 8 years. She was surrounded by people of different nationalities but the federal government school she studied in, the local church, and traditional Nigerian upbringing at home kept her connected to her roots. In 2013, work led her to Castlebar, then Mullingar and finally Cavan where she has embraced the local arts and culture and has been involved in community events and activities. For people interested to come to Ireland, she recommends to do some research first and to integrate once in the county which is now her home. Listen to the replay this Tuesday at 8pm on Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM or listen to the podcast https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/idara-udo-232134

31/10/2023

LISTEN BACK (Oct 29th 2023 Podcast): Venezuelan jeweller Gabriela Romero finds love in Cavan town.

Gabriela Romero Saez de Ibarra from Venezuela moved to Ireland in 2022 for love. A beautician back home, she also lived in Costa Rica for 20 years and is now a jeweller in Cavan Town.

Gabriela Romero Saez de Ibarra from Venezuela moved to Ireland in 2022 for love. A beautician back home, she also lived in Costa Rica for 20

30/10/2023

UP NEXT IS NIGERIAN HEALTHCARE WORKER IDARA UDO WHO HAS MADE CAVAN HER HOME

Idara Udo from Eket, Nigeria moved to Ireland in 2013 after studying in Ghana and Romania. She is now a healthcare worker and lives in Cavan.

Find out more on Sunday 5th of November 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM. Replay on Tuesdays 8-9pm.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

23/10/2023

UP NEXT IS VENEZUELAN JEWELLER GABRIELA ROMERO WHO FOUND LOVE IN CAVAN

Gabriela Romero Saez de Ibarra from Venezuela moved to Ireland in 2022 for love. A beautician back home, she also lived in Costa Rica for 20 years and is now a jeweller in Cavan Town.

Find out more on Sunday 29th of October 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM. Replay on Tuesdays 8-9pm.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

23/10/2023

LISTEN BACK: Podcast October 22nd 2023- Globe trotter Christopher Williams sets up shop in Longford

Christopher Williams traveled the world from a very early age. Born in Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, his father uprooted him, his brother and mother to Malaysia for a 2-year job opportunity. Chris finished schooling in Belfast til he was 16, then fled from the Troubles to Hong Kong. To mend his broken heart after leaving his girlfriend, he learned taekwondo and later worked in the clothing industry for 16 years. He brought St. Patrick’s Day celebrations into China and kept his heart close to Irish food. After a stint in Singapore, he set up shop in Beijing but struggled mentally with the business and the loss of his father. When he sought help,he took an interest in counselling and studied psychotherapy in Scotland. After looking after his mother, Beijing opened up so he went back as CEO of multinational hotel supply company and focus on his interest in tea making which led him to a Chinese tea shop owner whom he married and brought to Ireland with their son. He now runs a Chinese shop in Longford and specialises in couples therapy.

Globe trotter Christopher Williams set up shop in Longford and he joined Vanda Brady on My Journey Home and spoke about the

22/10/2023

Thrilled to have globe trotter Chris Williams who was born in Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. He lived in Malaysia for 2 years, then in Hong Kong for 16 years, followed by five years in Singapore, and another hefty 16 years in Beijing. He has now made Longford his home with his son and wife who is from a Chinese ethnic minority tribe. He runs a Chinese shop and provides psychotherapy sessions for couples. Listen to the Podcast: https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/christopher-williams-231457

16/10/2023

UP NEXT: CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS FROM CO. ANTRIM SETS UP SHOP IN LONGFORD

Christopher Williams from Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. A CEO of a French multinational in Beijing, he moved to Longford in 2017 and is now a psychotherapist and shopkeeper.

Find out more on Sunday 22nd of October 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

16/10/2023

Did you miss it? (Podcast Oct 15th 2023)

Petya Racheva from Bulgaria believes mastering the English language in Cavan helped her in many ways.

Petya Racheva from Gabrovo, Bulgaria came to visit a friend in Ireland in 2007 but stayed for longer than she thought. A barmaid back in her hometown, she is now a bookkeeper for a small company in Cavan and looks after two children. She shares how communism felt like living in a box and being left-handed was not allowed. The quietness in Cavan and the weather were new to her and she loved the politeness of the Irish, but the language barrier was the biggest challenge. She decided to take lessons and mingle with English speaking friends and employees to help her speak the language better. It was a long journey to be where she is at now, living a better life with an Irish partner and his welcoming family, and working as a bookkeeper for 8 years. Seeing how Cavan has transformed since 2007, she believes hardwork and luck can bring you places, and having someone to help you settle in a new country makes things a lot easier.

Petya Racheva from Bulgaria believes mastering the English language in Cavan helped her in many ways. She joined Vanda Brady on My Journey

15/10/2023

Happy to have Bulgarian guest Petya Racheva in the show tonight. She shared what it was like being taught that writing left-handed was wrong, and the challenges of not knowing how to speak English when she moved to Cavan 16 years ago. Listen to the podcast: https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/petya-racheva-231121

09/10/2023

WHO’S NEXT? PETYA RACHEVA FROM BULGARIA!

Petya Racheva from Gabrovo, Bulgaria came to visit a friend in Ireland in 2007 but stayed for longer than she thought. A barmaid back in her hometown, she is now bookkeeper for a small company in Cavan and looks after two children.

Find out more on Sunday 15th of October 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

09/10/2023

Did you miss it? Podcast 8th Oct 2023:
Marta Pasiecszny from Poland shares her fitness skills in Longford.

Marta Pasiecszny described what it was like growing up in Poland where she studied chemical technology but chose to become a professional fitness instructor. She took advanced English lessons after visiting America for 3 months, determined to master the language. When Poland joined the EU, she moved to Longford with her husband and son and lived with her brother in-law who helped them settle in. She is now an Irish citizen and continues to teach yoga classes to different groups all over Longford.

Marta Pasiecszny from Poland shares her fitness skills in Longford. She joined Vanda Brady on My Journey Home and spoke to Vanda

08/10/2023

It was great to get to know Marta Pasiecszny who described what it was like growing up in Poland where she studied chemical technology but chose to become a professional fitness instructor. She took advanced English lessons after visiting America for 3 months, determined to master the language. When Poland joined the EU, she moved to Longford with her husband and 2 1/2 yr old son and lived with her brother in-law who helped them settle in. She is now an Irish citizen and continues to teach yoga classes to different groups all over Longford. Listen to the podcast https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/marta-pasiecszny-230787.

08/10/2023

Tune in tonight to listen to yoga instructor Marta Pasieczny’s journey from Poland to Longford.

Polish yoga instructor Marta Pasiecszny brings her fitness skills to Longford

Marta Pasieczny from Glogow, Poland moved to Ireland with her family in 2007 in search for a better life at the time when Poland joined the EU. A fitness instructor in her hometown, she now teaches yoga in Longford.

Find out more on Sunday 8th of October 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

06/10/2023

Irish Music Rights Organisation Awards 2023. The Oscars of Radio in Ireland. With Hall of Fame Awardee Joe Finnegan and former Hall of Fame Awardee Joe Kane, his partner is also from the Philippines!

06/10/2023

Coming on Oct 29th: Venezuelan jeweller Gabriela Romero transforms her hobby into a business in Cavan.

02/10/2023

Polish yoga instructor Marta Pasiecszny brings her fitness skills to Longford

Marta Pasieczny from Glogow, Poland moved to Ireland with her family in 2007 in search for a better life at the time when Poland joined the EU. A fitness instructor in her hometown, she now teaches yoga in Longford.

Find out more on Sunday 8th of October 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

02/10/2023

Did you miss Odette’s reaction to the Irish-South African rugby match? Listen to the podcast (Oct 2nd 2023):

Odette Francis from Durban, South Africa talkes about growing up with English as her first language and the influences of her Portuguese father and her mother who was with Mauritian descent. She shared her views on the Irish vs South Africa rugby, why it was easier moving to Australia than Ireland, and how finding a better life and her love for accountancy brought her to the Shannonside Northern Sound region. A South African at heart who now considers Cavan her home, she advices migrants to embrace Irish culture.

Odette Francis from Durban, South Africa talkes about growing up with English as her first language and the influences of her Portuguese fath

01/10/2023

An insightful evening with Odette Francis from Durban, South Africa who talked about growing up with English as her first language and the influences of her Portuguese father and her mother who was with Mauritian descent. She shared her views on the Irish vs South Africa rugby, why it was easier moving to Australia than Ireland, and how finding a better life and her love for accountancy brought her to the Shannonside Northern Sound region. A South African at heart who now considers Cavan her home, she advices migrants to embrace Irish culture. Listen to the podcast https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/odette-francis-230421.

25/09/2023

UP NEXT IS ODETTE FRANCIS FROM
SOUTH AFRICA WHO BROUGHT HER EXPERTISE IN ACCOUNTANCY TO CAVAN

Odette Francis moved to Ireland in 2001 because of a job that was advertised in the local papers at Durban, South Africa. She worked for three of the largest finance companies in her home country and continued to do the same type of work since she arrived. She is now doing accountancy for a local Family Resource Centre in Cavan.

Find out more on Sunday 1st of October 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

25/09/2023

Listen Back - Podcast Sept 24, 2023: Spanish artist Raquel Montero Calero finds home in the creative community in Cavan.

Raquel Montero Calero described what it was like growing up in Cordoba, Spain and how she discovered the artist in her at an early age. She lived in Basque Country for a year which had the Celtic-influenced culture then came to Ireland to improve her English in 2016. She did various jobs in Mullingar then found home in the warmth of the people and the art community in Cavan where she has settled since 2019. She stepped out of the Spanish circle of friends and immersed herself into the community as a multidisciplinary artist and is now very much involved in visual and writing projects and shows in Ireland.

Spanish artist Raquel Montero Calero finds home in the creative community in Cavan. She joined Vanda Brady on My Journey Home and spoke

24/09/2023

Raquel Montero Calero described what it was like growing up in Cordoba, Spain and how she discovered the artist in her at an early age. She lived in Basque Country for a year which had the Celtic-influenced culture then came to Ireland to improve her English in 2016. She did various jobs in Mullingar then found home in the warmth of the people and the art community in Cavan where she has settled since 2019. She stepped out of the Spanish circle of friends and immersed herself into the community as a multidisciplinary artist and is now very much involved in visual, playwriting projects and shows in Ireland. Listen to the podcast: https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/raquel-montero-calero-230085

19/09/2023

UP NEXT IS SPANISH ARTIST RAQUEL MONTERO CALERO WHO MOVED TO CAVAN TO SHARE HER TALENT

Raquel Montero Calero is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Cordoba, Spain. She moved to Ireland in 2016 to learn English and is now based in Co. Cavan since 2018. She has a passion for design, and arts and crafts is very often involved in community projects.

Find out more on Sunday 24th of September 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/

19/09/2023

LISTEN BACK (Podcast Sept 17th 2023): Maruska Albanese makes Cavan town her third home.

Italian Maruska Albanese talked about her Milanese culture, what the fashion capital is known for and what it was like moving to Cavan to join her son who was an exchange student learning English at Breffni College. Her youngest son Alessandro who didn’t know a word of English has now settled in well and is quickly mastering the language but still misses his hometown. Maruska is taking an advocacy course and is starting to do things for herself and meet new friends now that her boys are grown up and more independent.

Maruska Albanese makes Cavan town her third home. Italian Maruska Albanese talked about her Milanese culture, what the fashion capital

17/09/2023

Italian Maruska Albanese talked about her Milanese culture, what the fashion capital is known for and what it was like moving to Cavan to join her son who was an exchange student learning English at Breffni College. Her youngest son Alessandro who didn’t know a word of English has now settled in well and is quickly mastering the language but still misses his hometown. Maruska is taking an advocacy course and is starting to do things for herself and meet new friends now that her boys are grown up and more independent. Listen to the Podcast - https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/maruska-albanese-229751

11/09/2023

UP NEXT IS MARUSKA ALBANESE FROM MILAN, ITALY WHO MOVED TO CAVAN TO JOIN HER SONS

Maruska Albanese from Milan, Italy moved to Ireland in 2022 to be with her two sons who are studying in Cavan. A full-time mom and wife who also provides admin support for their family business, she does volunteer work and is being trained to be a cultural champion in Cavan.

Find out more on Sunday 17th of September 2023 8-9pm on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM.

Join Vanda Brady every Sunday night at 8pm on My Journey Home on Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM which celebrates cultural diversity and features stories and music of a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have come to the Shannonside Northern Sound region to make it their home. The show is available on FM. You can also stream it live on www.shannonside.ie or on your smart speaker. To hear past episodes click https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/?podcast=my-journey-home

11/09/2023

LISTEN BACK (Podcast Sept 10th 2023): Mia Bi from Yunnan, China sets up shop in Longford.

A minority ethnic woman from Mai Ye, Yunnan in rural China, Mia Yong Fen Bi met her Northern Irish husband in a tea shop she owned in Beijing on a Chinese Dragon Boat Day celebration. She moved with him to Longford in 2017 where she learned to speak English by volunteering in a charity shop and by studying at Longford Adult Learning Centre. She now owns a Chinese supermarket called “Home Sweet Home” and tends chickens and grows corn and vegetables on an acre of land which she hopes will be a sensory garden for people with disabilities. She loves the fresh air and the canal in Longford, and would want the Irish to visit Yunnan to see the beautiful mountains, try their exotic food like flame-roasted rice in bamboos, and listen to Chinese indigenous songs.

Mia Bi from Yunnan, China sets up shop in Longford. She joined Vanda Brady on My Journey Home and spoke to her about the

09/09/2023

Here’s a lovely message from Mia Yong Fen Bi from Yunnan, China. Click the Podcast link below!

Ladies and gentlemen, friends near and far, I'm thrilled to be here today, sharing a piece of my life with all of you. You can call me Mia, a name I chose to make it simpler for my friends here in Ireland and around the world. My full name is Bi Yong Fen, but I embrace the warmth and friendship that comes with being called "Hei Mei," which means "black sister" in Chinese, owing to my roots in one of China's ethnic minorities.

I come from a little village nestled in the heart of Yunnan, a province in southwestern China that shares its borders with Burma, Laos, and Vietnam. Our family has always been rooted in hill farming, and it seems that farming runs through my veins.

My journey started as a tea picker in the lush tea plantations of Yunnan. I cherished those early days, helping my family on our farm. As I grew into my teenage years, I ventured to Kunming and later to Shanghai, where I embarked on a different path, working at several different jobs in both cities. It wasn't long before I found myself in the bustling streets of Beijing, driving a commercial vehicle for a factory.

After several years behind the wheel, I took a bold step and opened my own tea shop, specializing in puer tea from Yunnan, my beloved homeland. It was there, on a day that would forever be etched in my memory - Dragon Boat Day in 2010 - that I met the man who would become my husband.

In the years that followed, we tied the knot and were blessed with our son, born in Beijing. However, in September 2017, we made a life-changing decision to relocate to Ireland, seeking the pristine air and wholesome environment for our three-year-old son. Longford, with its reasonable rent prices, became our chosen destination, sparing us from the daunting expenses of Dublin.

In Longford town we have found happiness in the pure air, the breathtaking countryside, and a global circle of friends.

My educational journey also found a home at the Longford Adult Learning Centre.

Longford has warmly welcomed us, and we created a piece of home with a Chinese shop just across the car park from Penney's. I take pride in overseeing the shop's operations, ensuring it's always neat and tidy.

In addition to all this, I am a small-scale poultry farmer and cultivate vegetables on a piece of land near Longford town. While I tend to the land, my husband lends a hand in the shop - we're a team. Our plot of land spans about one acre, and my dream is to transform the remaining space into a sensory garden for individuals with special needs and disabilities. We proposed this idea to Longford County Council in 2021, and we eagerly await their support.

I fervently hope that we can turn this dream into a reality, as County Longford currently lacks a sensory garden. There was once a beautiful one in Ballinalee, but sadly, it is no longer in use. If there's anyone out there from Longford County Council listening today, we implore you for your support to kickstart this project.

In closing, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for having me here today. It's a real honour to share my story.

Thank you

Mia Bi

Listen to the Podcast: https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/mia-bi-229440
=======