Armagh I Podcast

The world from a different perspective: Aviator Raphael O’Carroll on loss of daughter and incredible flying feat

Looking at the world from a different perspective is something Raphael O’Carroll believes everyone should do at least once in a lifetime.
That perspective is from the sky, where Raphael and his fellow aviator Liam Lynch, have spent quite a bit of time throughout theirs.
Raphael is the owner and chief flying instructor at his flight school, Kernan Aviation in Tandragee. The pair have been breaking records in the skies with a series of challenges for a very worthy cause.
In 2013 Raphael’s daughter Christine was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Tragically, she passed away three and a half years later, but over Easter in 2015, her father got to spend five days he will never forget – flying around Ireland with Christine.
They set out to land in as many of the 198 airfields dotted around the country as they could. All the wile raising awareness and donations, the Christine O’Carroll Research Fund, as well as Marie Cure and the Irish Cancer society.
After Christine passed away, Raphael and his wife Betty continued to raise money for the fund that they set up when they realised how little research has been done on brain cancer, which is the leading cause cancer death in under 40’s, and it is the least researched area.
Raphael, who milked cows on his farm in Tandragee for a living, always had a fascination with flying. He began with a dream, and over the years transformed that dream into reality by learning to fly, becoming an instructor, buying a small light aircraft, and bit by bit building his aviation school.

Paddy and Philippa McShane the complete package with successful business

Nerves of steel, unwavering self-belief, knowing your product and having good people around you, are the base ingredients for growing a successful business according to a couple who know exactly what they’re talking about.
Twenty-five years ago this month, Paddy McShane borrowed £3,500 from Armagh Credit Union, bought a second hand van, rented a small unit in Dungannon Business Centre and started to build what today is the hugely successful McShane Packaging company.
Paddy had a background in sales. His wife Philippa says, ‘he could sell snow to the Eskimos.’
She was working in Belfast in the early years but joined Paddy after the birth of their second child and with her business acumen, a perfect partnership was born.

Hidden histories captured on camera by Newry Man Lost, Sean Donegan

In his everyday life Sean Donegan is a commercial photographer with a studio in Newry, but his alter ego, Newry Man Lost, is increasingly is becoming the main focus of his attention.
It started as a hobby around eight years ago, when Sean, who is also an historian, set up a Facebook page and began a journey that would soon grow legs.
His interest in local history led Sean to seeking out the secret stories behind old buildings and ruins dotted around his hometown and far beyond.
As an urban explorer, Sean has had adventures in Sweden, where he photographed an abandoned car graveyard – leading to a close call in a nearby booby trapped house. Belgium, at a chocolate-box castle – slipping past a supposed gun-toting sentry. And a horrific visit to Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, that haunts him to this day.
Closer to home Sean has had some hairy moments – hilarious in hindsight - involving mad cows and mutilated birds in Cork.
Dodging traffic on the Mary McAleese Bridge for the sake of the perfect shot. Staying the night in Wicklow Jail, and he tells the gory truth behind Gallows Hill in Newry where Heather Park playground is now strangely located.
For this episode of Armagh I’s podcast, proudly sponsored by Blackhill Energy, we spoke to Sean about his incredible photographs and the stories behind them.

Armagh suppliers surviving and thrive amidst restrictions caused by Brexit backlog

On January 1, 2021, the NI protocol was introduced, placing a border in the middle of the Irish Sea, and causing a lot of hassle for local businesses.
But could opportunities be found amidst the onerous restrictions?
For this episode of Armagh I’s Podcast, proudly sponsored by Blackhill Energy, we talk to a number of local business owners affected by the change in trading conditions between NI and GB.

Gunmen in the Northern Bar to drinking with Bono – a rock 'n' roll life with Martin Rafferty

From nicking Oasis B side songs and claiming them as his own at the ‘Wonderwall’ in Ardmore, to a nasty encounter with some gunmen while gigging at the Northern Bar, Marty’s career had an adventurous edge from the start.
With success came festivals and tours, initially with his band Ignition, and now as a solo artist along with his current band members, Conor Cunningham, Dave Mulgrave and Jordie Kelly.
Playing to 10,000 people ahead of Feeder, at the Lee Stock Festival was a highlight, as was drinking beer with Bono and the Edge.
But there isn’t much that could top a day where Marty and his crew ran into Jimmy Paige in a Burger King while on the way to meeting his hero Noel Gallagher at his London home.
Marty even picked up the guitar and threw in a few bars during our chat, with a very familiar signature tune.

Armagh GP Dr Frances O’Hagan on Covid, vaccine and toughest challenge of her career

Finally, there really is some light at the end of this bleak, year-long tunnel.The Covid -19 vaccines are here and the rollout is underway.
The over-80’s were the first recipients of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine, and they made their feelings on any controversy surrounding the vaccine known, by voting with their feet.
There was an unprecedented 100 percent turnout at Dr Francis O’Hagan’s Friary surgery in Armagh, and she says there was a joyous and celebratory atmosphere amongst her patients and a sense of freedom returned.
For this episode of Armagh I’s podcast, proudly sponsored by Blackhill Energy, we spoke to Dr O’Hagan about the pressures of the past year, which have never been worse than they are right now for frontline staff.

New Year tragedy for Lough Neagh Rescue crew but volunteers responsible for saving so many lives

Just a couple of weeks ago, at the start of the New Year, Lough Neagh Rescue, along with the RNLI and other rescue organisations, recovered the body of missing person who was believed to be in a boating accident in Fermanagh.
Situations like this are of course devastating for the team, but Lough Neagh Rescue chairman Sean Rocks sees some positivity and a sense of achievement through bringing the body back to the family and giving them some semblance of closure.

Tales, anecdotes and madcap misadventures with Damian McCullough

He is known throughout the county and far beyond as the voice of Armagh GAA.
His catch phrases  are as unique and individual as his broadcasting style. 
We're all familiar with, 'Mary from Killeavy,' the magnetic pull of the hill,' and - of course - 'The Holy Mary Mother of God score.'
When you hear, 'We're coming to you from the ecclesiastical capital,' over the radio or on Armagh TV, you know Damian McCullough is on the mic.
He has taken advice from Rowan Hand, who told him to refrain from overuse of the word 'ball' while commentating on Gaelic games - which contributed greatly to his style.
He's given the great Micheal O Muircheartaigh a hand with information at a game - and the legendary broadcaster never forgot.
He blagged a half-time sausage bap from a woman in the stands with a frying pan at an Armagh game, and was battered over the back of the head by a Crossmaglen woman in the Buttercrane, for over-exaggerating the closeness of a game - Cross were in no danger of losing.
He never forgets the people who make the tea and sandwiches, including Mrs McConville in Crossmaglen and Mona McEntee who fed hm a steak dinner during one match.
For this episode of The I on the Ball, proudly sponsored by Blackhill Energy, Damian expands on all of these tales and a whole lot more.