Donna Ashworth, James Mooney and The Victims Of The Stardust Nightclub Fire

Our last episode of the year is busier than the traffic getting to Dublin Airport at ChristmasAfter Daragh Fleming welcomes us in with a vibe-setting poem about longing and love, we step in to a whopper episode that leaves no Christmas cracker unopened, at a time of year where poetry can help us navigate the tricky waters of the festive season.We hear from Ramona, the front of office at Ryan's work, on her new found exploration into poetry in an inspiring story of how getting creative can change your life. Aoife Dunne then gives us her beautiful tribute to her late mother in a poem that we hope will help anyone who is preparing for the festive period knowing there are tough days ahead.James Mooney, AKA The Wandering Paddy, gives his caramel gravel-voice a break and sends us a poem to recite about how grief isn't always about the breakdowns, but can be nudges too.Donna Ashworth, fresh from her performance at Jan Brierton's 'Wild Words' gig shares a poem of hope with her piece 'Joy Finds You'. What a woman, and what a poem.Leon was asked by Dublin City Council to create a poem to celebrate the opening of a new art space that sits in the former location of Stardust Nightclub. A tragic evening in 1981 left families without their loved ones as a fire broke out and killed 48 people inside. Leon's poem is a tribute to the victims of that night.Ger Devine opens the curtain on what its like for a couple who have been around the block on Christmas Eve before our Agony Aunt wraps up the show with a poem to help someone going through the despair of turning 30.Thank you to everyone for listening this year and being so sound. We'll be back in Spring 2025 with a new series and even more amazing poetry.Our new book is available now so grab a copy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DNY54SFCLoves ya,Ryan and LeonPoems from the showDaragh Fleming - Snowflakes At Christmashttps://thoughtstoobig.ie/daraghfleming/Aoife Dunne - Untitled tribute to her motherhttps://www.tiktok.com/discover/aoife-dunne-comedianJames Mooney - I Missed You, Quietly https://www.tiktok.com/@thewanderingpaddyDonna Ashworth - Joy Chose Youhttps://donnaashworth.com/Leon Dunne - More Than A Namehttps://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art/2024/12/08/stardust-reimagined-its-time-for-other-people-to-fulfil-their-dreams-here-what-our-loved-ones-never-got-to-do/Ger Devine - Pinholeshttps://www.gerarddevinepoetry.com/Agony Aunt - Flirty ThirtySupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins