The Recluse's Cookbook

08/12/2023

Welcome to episode 12. Our final episode of Series 2.

In this episode I talk to criminologist Ciaran McConnell whose blog is “Ireland’s Vanishing Triangle”.

For the most part, Ireland is a safe country yet from 1987 – 2003 something happened on the Island that saw a dozen women vanish without trace from their homes or from the side of the road. In some cases, a body was recovered but most of them were never found. The commonality between cases is that all women at one point were missing and only by a stroke of luck that several of them were found.

Ciaran McConnell has set up Ireland’ Vanishing Triangle which is a website and blog dedicated to correlating all the information and details of the cases of the individual women in one place.

Over the course of the episode Ciaran defines what the term Ireland’s Vanishing Triangle means and he takes us through it, case by case to their present-day status.

If you have any information pertaining to the whereabouts of any of the missing women included on this podcast or any missing person from Ireland, then please contact the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.

I must include a warning that the content in this episode some listeners may find distressing. Listeners caution is advised.

Ladies and gentlemen without further a do…. Ciaran McConnell from Ireland’s Vanishing Triangle.

Welcome to episode 12. Our final episode of Series 2. In this episode I talk to criminologist Ciaran McDonnell whose blog is “Ireland’s Vanishing Triangle”. For the most part, Ireland is a safe country yet from 1987 – 2003 something happened on the Island that saw a dozen women vanish withou...

01/12/2023

Welcome to Episode 11

I am thrilled to have the wonderful Eugene O’Brien on this episode.

Eugene is a legendary Irish writer of the stage and screen. His breakout hit Eden was first staged in the Peacock theatre in 2001. It transferred to London and since then it’s become a firm favourite of amateur dramatic theatre groups with frequent productions staged in town halls and arts centres up and down the country. In 2005 his tv series “Pure Mule” captured the cultural zeitgeist of Ireland’s Celtic Tiger in mid-lands Ireland and set tongues wagging.

The past two years has seen Eugene produce a body of work over a wide variety of mediums, this includes a book, two stage plays, one of which “Heaven” won a fringe first ward at the Edinburgh Fringe festival and a feature film called "Tarrac".

If you like what you hear and please hit the like button and if you knew someone who would find the contents of this episode interesting, please send them the link.

Thanks

V

Welcome to Episode 11 I am thrilled to have the wonderful Eugene O’Brien on this episode. Eugene is a legendary Irish writer of the stage and screen. His breakout hit Eden was first staged in the Peacock theatre in 2001. It transferred to London and since then it’s become a firm favourite of ama...

24/11/2023

Welcome to Episode 10

My guest this week is Mick Rooney.

Mick is an investigative journalist from Dublin. He is also the founder of Radio Espial.

Mick has had an amazing career over the past three decades. Beginning as a court reporter he has published many books on several topics. He moved into self-publishing and is now the host of Radio Espial which is a talk radio channel that covers poetry, aviation, true crime and missing people cases.

In this episode we discuss Mick’s start as a court reporter. Mick tells us how he moved from the world of self-publishing into world of youtube and the fascination of the public with cases of Missing people.

If you like what you hear and please hit the like button and if you know someone who would find the contents of this episode interesting please send them the link.

Thanks.

V

Welcome to Episode 10 My guest this week is Mick Rooney. Mick is an investigative journalist from Dublin. He is also the founder of Radio Espial. Mick has had an amazing career over the past three decades. Beginning as a court reporter he has published many books on several topics. He moved into sel...

17/11/2023

Welcome to episode 9

This week my guest is Jessica Jeffrey.

Following on from my conversation with Dave Sperling about the world of TEFL and TESOL teaching I speak with Jessica Jeffrey. Jessica is the Recruitment and Partnerships specialist with The TEFL Institute, which is based in Ireland.

In this episode Jessica speaks about how she began in the world of TEFL teaching and how she ended up broadening out her career options through her experience teaching abroad. She tells us what the TEFL Institute offers and how they can help you.

If you like what you hear and please hit the like button and if you know someone who would find the contents of this episode interesting please send them the link.

Thanks

V

Welcome to episode 9 This week my guest is Jessica Jeffrey. Following on from my conversation with Dave Sperling about the world of TEFL and TESOL teaching I speak with Jessica Jeffrey. Jessica is the Recruitment and Partnerships specialist with The TEFL Institute, which is based in Ireland. In this...

10/11/2023

Welcome to Episode 8

Time Loane, Creator of Channel 4's "Teachers", co-founder of Tinderbox Theatre and academy award nominee for Best Short Live Action film for "Dance Lexie Dance", talks to me.

Tim is an actor, writer and director whose career spans over three decades. He began his career with the legendary Tinderbox which he co-founded and with this he launched the careers of many of Northern Irelands finest playwrights. His own career reached international heights when his short film Dance Lexie Dance was nominated for an academy award, and it screened on British television just before main feature on Christmas night which was watched by an audience of millions. That’s not bad going for a little film from Northern Ireland.

In this episode Tim tells us how he got started in the industry, the high and lows of being a television writer and really how the industry works for a writer.

If you like what you hear and please hit the like button and if you know someone who would find the contents of this episode interesting please send them the link.

Thanks.

V

Welcome to Episode 8 My guest this week is Academy award nominee Tim Loane. Tim is an actor, writer and director whose career spans over three decades. He began his career with the legendary Tinderbox which he co-founded and with this he launched the careers of many of Northern Irelands finest playw...

03/11/2023

Welcome to episode 7.

It’s with great pleasure that I get to have a chat with Keith Fay from the legendary Irish heavy metal band Cruachan.

For nearly 30 years now Keith has been the singer and principal songwriter with Cruachan. What started as a teenage passion in music has become an international success story with 9 studio album releases that has resulted in legions of fans across the globe. To this day Cruachan’s debut album”Tuatha Na Gael” is considered to be genre defining album in the folk metal scene.

In this episode Keith discusses Cruachan’s humble beginnings on the Dublin music scene. He also discusses the advantages of being able to write within the folk Metal genre and where the future may lie for Cruachan.

If you like what you hear please like it and if you know anyone who would be interested in anything in the episode, please send them a
link.

Thanks

V

Welcome to episode 7. It’s with great pleasure that I get to have a chat with Keith Fay from the legendary Irish heavy metal band Cruachan. For nearly 30 years now Keith has been the singer and principal songwriter with Cruachan. What started as a teenage passion in music has become an internation...

28/10/2023

Welcome to Episode 6

My guest this week is Brian Matthews-Murphy. Brain is an Actor and film maker from Bray in Co. Wicklow.

Brian is a legend of folk hero standards in the independent film industry in Ireland. He is a well-known face on our screens and over the years he has amassed an impressive cv of screen credits. He is also the founder of No Wifi. No Wifi is the North Wicklow Film makers which is a group for aspiring film makers of all levels who want to get involved in the magic of movie making.

In this conversation Brian tells us the reasons why he left one career to put pursue acting. He also discusses the importance of No Wi-Fi and why he set it up.

If you like what you hear please like it and if you know anyone who would be interested in anything in the episode, please send them a link.

Thanks

V

Welcome to Episode 6 My guest this week is Brian Matthews-Murphy. Brain is an Actor and film maker from Bray in Co. Wicklow. Brian is a legend of folk hero standards in the independent film industry in Ireland. He is a well-known face on our screens and over the years he has amassed an impressive cv...

21/10/2023

Welcome to episode 5. My guest this week is Historian, story teller and author Jonathan Trigg. To date he has authored 14 history books. Most of the publications are based on the German experiences of World War 2 but his latest book “Death in the fields: The I.R.A and East Tyrone marks a departure...

21/10/2023

Welcome to episode 5.

My guest this week is Historian, story teller and author Jonathan Trigg. To date he has authored 14 history books. Most of the publications are based on the German experiences of World War 2 but his latest book “Death in the fields: The I.R.A and East Tyrone marks a departure in a very different direction.

Anyone who knows me will tell you I am big History buff. I study whatever I can on the conflict in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 1998. I was only too thrilled earlier this year when I came across a Jonathan latest book “Death in the fields: The I.R.A and East Tyrone published by Merrion press. My intrigue lay in fact that too my knowledge that nobody has done a such deep dive in a book detailing the history and activities of the East Tyrone Brigade of the Provisional I.R.A. What I enjoyed the most about Jonathan’s book is that it is grounded in fact. There are no half-cocked theories here it’s all fact and it’s laid out in tight timeline that leaves a lasting impression and mindful of knowledge.

In this episode Jonathan discusses the reason why he wrote this book. He also speaks about his experience of serving in the East Tyrone area with the British army in the early 90’s. He also gives his views on Northern Ireland today and what has changed since he first arrived there 30 years ago.

Welcome to episode 5. My guest this week is Historian, story teller and author Jonathan Trigg. To date he has authored 14 history books. Most of the publications are based on the German experiences of World War 2 but his latest book “Death in the fields: The I.R.A and East Tyrone marks a departure...

07/10/2023

Welcome to episode 3 My guest this time is film director Richard Waters. On the 13th of October his latest feature film “Advent” will have its world premiere at the Newport beach Film festival. It will also have its Irish premier at the Richard Harris Film festival at the end of the same month. ...

07/10/2023

Welcome to episode 3

My guest this time is film director Richard Waters.

On the 13th of October his latest feature film “Advent” will have its world premiere at the Newport beach Film festival. It will also have its Irish premier at the Richard Harris Film festival at the end of the same month.

Richard first hit our screens with the Irish Indie cult film “The O’Briens”. Since then, he has explored the medium of film making through a number of independent features that have exceeded each other.

In this episode Richard tells us where his passion for cinema began, his career to date and what his dream project or projects would be if he was given a budget to his suiting.

Welcome to episode 3 My guest this time is film director Richard Waters. On the 13th of October his latest feature film “Advent” will have its world premiere at the Newport beach Film festival. It will also have its Irish premier at the Richard Harris Film festival at the end of the same month. ...

29/09/2023

My next guest is Aine Ryan.

Aine is a playwright, actor and film maker. Her play's "Kitty in the Lane" and "Paddy goes to Petra" have enraptured audiences around the world. She also co-authored "From out the land" with Jack Reardon which was presented at the Clonmel Junction festival. At the time of publishing this episode she has been nominated at the London Pub Theatre Awards. The nominations include Best Actor & Best Solo Show for "Kitty in the Lane" and Best Writing for "Paddy goes to Petra". Both productions have also secured nominations for Best Actor for Brendan Dunlea for "Paddy goes to Petra" and Outstanding production values for "Kitty in the lane".

In this episode Aine discusses writing, inspiration and the realities of being an independent theatre producer today.

Please like and share the podcast with anyone who may find this episode of interest.

Thanks
V

Welcome to episode 2! My next guest is Aine Ryan. Aine is a playwright, actor and film maker. Her play's "Kitty in the Lane" and "Paddy goes to Petra" have enraptured audiences around the world. She also co-authored "From out the land" with Jack Reardon which was presented at the Clonmel Junction fe...

24/09/2023

Welcome back to Series 2 of The Recluse's Cookbook!

Have you ever wondered what to do in a survival situation? Have you ever dreamt of how you might cope? There are many answers that could be given in that event.

My first guest has the answers for that very occasion. Rob Faughnan runs Survivalist Ireland. Survivalist Ireland is Ireland's premier survival training company based in Leinster. People from all over the world come to them to see if they have what it takes to survive in the most extreme conditions.

In this episode Rob tells us the basics of what to look out for when you are hiking and in other extreme situations. Hypothermia and dehydration are common factors in any survival situation and Rob tells us the signs and symptoms. He also discusses the pros and cons of working together in a group and how it may be possible to overcome potential disaster in that scenario.

For more information on Survivalist Ireland you can go to the links below.

Website: Survivalist Ireland

Facebook: Survivalist Ireland

Please like and share the podcast with anyone who may find this episode of interest.

Thanks

V

Welcome back to Series 2 of The Recluse's Cookbook! Have you ever wondered what to do in a survival situation? Have you ever dreamt of how you might cope? There are many answers that could be given in that event. My first guest has the answers for that very occasion. Rob Faughnan runs Survivalist Ir...

05/11/2021

It's amazing what you can learn from a podcast! My father for example is retired after 46 years working in the bank. As a young ladeen, before he joined the bank, to earn a couple of bob for himself, every weekend he would travel from his home outside Castlebar in Co. Mayo to Achill Island with his brothers. There he would deliver milk and meat to the islanders. Not until he listened to the latest episode with BAFTA winning fimmaker and journalist Kevin Toolis did he hear of Edward Nangle and his colony that was on Achill Island despite running up and down the colony brae delivering the goods as a child. To find out more about Edward Nangle and his desire to convert the heathen Irish Catholics to Protestantism and save their eternally damned souls click on the link below.
https://thereclusescookbook.podbean.com/e/s1-ep-10-kevin-toolis/

Kevin Toolis is an BAFTA award winning & EMMY nominated writer and film maker. Born in Edinburgh the son of two Irish immigrants from Achill Island, he studied English and Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh before becoming a journalist. Over the...

22/10/2021

THE RECLUSE'S COOKBOOK - EP. 9: DAVE BYRNE
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Dave Byrne's inspirational journey from theatre actor to film festival programmer is one of aspiration thus making it the most downloaded episode of this series of the Recluse's Cookbook. Dave's passion and compassion to create a space for emerging film makers really shines through in this episode. To check it out click on the link below.
https://thereclusescookbook.podbean.com/e/s1-ep-9-dave-byrne-underground-film-festival/

Some would say Dave Byrne is a legend, however more would say he is an icon in the Irish independent film making scene. In the 12 years since he started the Underground Film Festival, he has created a space for film makers to have their work screened that ...

07/10/2021

New episode of The Recluse's Cookbook recording tomorrow with the Bafta nominee and Emmy award winner Kevin Toolis. Episode drops on 31 October.

30/09/2021

New episode drops - Episode 9: Dave Byrne from the Underground film festival. Some would say Dave Byrne is a legend, however more would say he is an icon in the Irish independent film making scene. In the 12 years since he started the Underground Film Festival, he has created a space for film makers to have their work screened that otherwise may not have been shown. He kindly came on to the show to chat about the Underground film festival and what it means to the independent directors, writers, producers, actors and many more of Ireland. He gives the background to it's conception and elaborates on the major changes that the industry has faced in the the intervening years. Click on the link below to listen.
https://thereclusescookbook.podbean.com/e/s1-ep-9-dave-byrne-underground-film-festival/

Some would say Dave Byrne is a legend, however more would say he is an icon in the Irish independent film making scene. In the 12 years since he started the Underground Film Festival, he has created a space for film makers to have their work screened that ...

31/08/2021

NEW EPISODE
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In April of 2021, inspired by the vacuum created by the lockdown, musician and metal advocate Darragh O'Connor founded the All Ireland Metal Project. The aim was to create and release a compilation album called Aiséirí with the proceeds going to Barnardos Ireland. The album itself features the best of Ireland's heavy metal music community forming bands, writing and recording songs for the album. As soon as I heard about this project I got so excited I just had to have Darragh on the show to tell me all about it!!! Check it out here!!!
https://thereclusescookbook.podbean.com/e/s1-ep-8-darragh-oconnor-aiseiri-the-all-ireland-metal-project/

In April of 2021, inspired by the vacuum created by the lockdown, musician and metal advocate Darragh O'Connor founded the All Ireland Metal Project. The aim was to create and release a compilation album called Aiséirí with the proceeds going to Barnardos ...

28/08/2021

A new episode of The Recluse's Cookbook drops this Tuesday. In April of 2021, inspired by the vacuum created by the lockdown, musician and metal advocate Darragh O'Connor founded the All Ireland Metal Project. The aim was to create and release a compilation album called Aiséirí with the proceeds going to Barnardos Ireland. The album itself features the best of Ireland's heavy metal music community forming bands, writing and recording songs for the album. As soon as I heard about this project I got so excited I just had to have Darragh on the show to tell me all about it!!! This Tuesday on The Recluse's Cookbook.

31/07/2021

New episode drops!!! Aideen McQueen is the best kept secret in Irish comedy. Already a veteran of the English comedy circuit, she is an experienced comic whose work ethic is both admirable and enviable in equal measures. After building a solid reputation as a stand up in Ireland after only a few short years, she made the decision to move to London and start from scratch, climbing the comedy ladder by starting again as an open mic to grow gradually where she is today as an opener. In addition to her live comedy she has also published on-line comedy content in the form of sketches and a webs series among was "Lockdown", all set written and filmed during the lockdown.
https://thereclusescookbook.podbean.com/e/s1-ep-7-aideen-mcqueen/

Aideen McQueen is the best kept secret in Irish comedy. Already a veteran of the English comedy circuit, she is an experienced comic whose work ethic is both admirable and enviable in equal measures. After building a solid reputation as a stand up in Irela...

30/07/2021

Two years ago this night we had a rehearsed reading of the 3rd draft of my solo play "Show me your friends" at Studio 2 in Derry. Little did we know what was in the post for us all when I decided the projected run of the show was Oct 2020. Best thing that happened really as of tonight with the aid of my dramaturge John Dawson, I've finished draft 6. It's bigger, better and certainly more like the real thing. Nearly there and 2022 will be the year, I'm sure of it.