Dads Don't Cry

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter sits down with Jane Dalrymple, Clinical Midwife Specialist in Fetal Medicine at the Rotunda Hospital, to explore the compassionate, often unseen work of supporting families through pregnancy loss.Jane shares how listening to parents shaped the creation of the Journey Initiative, a thoughtful approach to bereavement care that prioritises dignity, connection, and meaningful support. From soft memory bunnies and storybooks to sun catchers and memorial gardens, she explains how small, human touches can make an immeasurable difference during unimaginable grief.The conversation highlights the vital importance of clear communication after loss, creating safe spaces for follow-up care, and supporting families through subsequent pregnancies with dedicated resources. Jane also speaks candidly about bridging cultural gaps in grief, guiding siblings through difficult moments, and how her own role as a midwife evolved from “fixing” problems to simply being present with families in their darkest hours.This episode is a reminder of the enduring need for compassionate, person-centred grief support, and the quiet heroes who provide it.

Nine years after losing his first child at birth, Nathan joins host Peter to share the story of Layla’s pregnancy and the devastating loss that followed when he was just 21 years old. He reflects on the insensitivity he and his family faced in hospital, how he coped with grief at such a young age, and the ways he has kept Layla’s memory alive ever since.Nathan also speaks candidly about the darkest period that followed, revealing how, just months after Layla’s death, an altercation on his way home one night left him overwhelmed and he came close to taking his own life.He opens up about the long-term effects of unprocessed trauma, how grief strained relationships, and the support he wishes he’d had at the time. Nathan also talks about navigating awkward social moments, including the painful question, “How many kids do you have?”The conversation turns to later chapters of his life, including Carter’s pregnancy, honouring Layla through charity football matches and remembrance, and learning to carry both grief and gratitude forward.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Vanessa, Elsie’s mam, who shares her family’s powerful and heartbreaking story. What begins as the joy of a surprise twin pregnancy soon becomes a high-risk journey when serious heart defects are discovered in one twin, Elsie. Vanessa and her husband navigate hope, fear, and anticipation as they prepare for complex surgery after birth, only to face the devastating loss of Elsie at 34 weeks.Vanessa opens up about the emotional whiplash of welcoming one healthy twin, Riley, while grieving the loss of her identical sister. She speaks about planning a child’s funeral, surviving the early days of profound grief, and the lasting impact of raising a twin without her other half. The conversation explores milestones, isolation, and the challenge of holding both joy and sorrow at once.Through community support, including time at Barretstown, Vanessa begins to find connection and purpose, learning that grief is deeply personal and cannot be compared. This episode is a raw and honest reflection on loss, resilience, and keeping Elsie’s memory alive while answering life’s hardest questions, especially for the children growing up with her story.

In Episode 17 of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter sits down with Elaine to share the story of her daughter, Willow - a story that begins with hope and love, and unfolds into unimaginable heartbreak.Elaine speaks openly about Willow’s earliest days and the quiet, persistent instinct that something wasn’t right. Reassured it was “first-time mother syndrome,” she tried to trust the professionals. Willow was diagnosed with silent reflux - but deep down, Elaine’s worry never left.What was meant to be a family trip to Tenerife became a medical emergency. In a hospital far from home, Elaine and her partner Ross were given devastating news: their baby girl had a tumour. Soon after came the words no parent should ever hear - Stage 4 cancer.In this raw and powerful conversation, Elaine shares what it meant to fight for Willow, and then, heartbreakingly, what it meant to shift from fighting to comforting. She speaks about grief, maternal instinct, anger, faith, and the sacred tenderness of Willow’s final days.She also reflects on life after loss - the anxiety and sleepless nights, carrying Willow’s ashes, mourning the milestones that will never come, and finding connection with other bereaved parents who truly understand.Above all, this episode is a tribute to Willow, a little girl whose life, though heartbreakingly short, continues to guide her family every day.

This week, we’re doing something different.While Dads Don’t Cry usually explores the impact of losing a child, this episode gently turns the lens the other way, asking what it means to lose a parent, especially as a young adult.Old enough to understand the weight of what’s gone…But often still young enough to feel completely unanchored without them.In this deeply personal conversation, Donna joins us to speak about her dad, Paddy. We explore the unique shape of parental loss, anticipatory grief, addiction, dementia, nursing home care, funeral arrangements, and the sudden shift of becoming “the strong one.”We talk about mental health crises, signs and symbolism, tattoos and memorials, and the long road of grief eight years on.We also gently acknowledge something that can be difficult to say out loud: losing a child and losing a parent are not the same. Both are devastating, but they shape us in different ways. And understanding those differences matters if we truly want to support one another.This is a one-off episode - something I wanted to try. And depending on the feedback, it might become something we revisit every 10/15 episodes.A space to open a different conversation about grief, identity, responsibility, and how loss shapes the kind of person you become.Grief doesn’t follow a rulebook.And it doesn’t only show up in one form.If this conversation resonates, you can reach me here on Instagram @dadsdontcrypodcast or by email at [email protected] 

In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Caroline shares the beautiful life and radiant personality of her daughter, Indie Mai, a joyful, loving child who touched everyone around her. She reflects on Indie’s final weekend, the heartbreaking moment everything changed, and the desperate efforts to save her.Caroline speaks openly about the reality of child loss and suicide, the shock, the unanswered questions, and the silent weight of guilt so many grieving parents carry. She shares her experience of the hospital, bringing Indie home, and how the loss profoundly affected their entire family.As both a mother and a nurse, Caroline also opens up about navigating grief and how support from community groups and the HUGG charity became a lifeline during the darkest days.By honoring Indie with a remembrance 3K run for what would have been her 13th birthday this March, finding comfort in signs, and holding onto hope, Caroline reflects on enduring love, resilience, and the strength it takes to keep going.

On this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter is joined by Izzy’s mam, Lauren, during a week that should have been filled with joy celebrating Izzy’s second birthday. Instead, Lauren bravely shares the unimaginable story of losing her daughter.Together, they walk through the frantic attempts to save Izzy, and the devastating moments that followed - from the ambulance ride to the hospital, to hearing the words no parent should ever have to hear. Lauren opens up about navigating post-mortem decisions, explaining Izzy’s death to her siblings, and the heartbreaking choices around her funeral and cremation.The conversation also explores the raw reality of grief: the trauma, the isolation, the suicidal thoughts, and the vital role of mental health support and healing during Lauren’s time in a psychiatric ward. Lauren reflects on receiving Izzy’s SIDS diagnosis, the intensified pain that comes with the second year of loss, and how grief continues to evolve.At its heart, this episode is about love, remembrance, and legacy. Through cherished memories and honest reflection, Lauren keeps Izzy’s spirit alive, showing that even in the deepest sorrow, a child’s impact never fades.

In this deeply moving episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter sits down with Kim to honour the life and loss of her daughter, Penelope—a bright, unapologetically herself child who filled every room with her spirit. Kim tenderly introduces us to Penelope, sharing who she was beyond the tragedy, before recounting the sudden phone call in September 2025 that shattered her world. What began as an ordinary moment became the unthinkable truth no parent is ever prepared to face: Penelope was gone.Together, Peter and Kim walk through the raw terrain of grief, returning home to a world that keeps moving while yours has stopped, the isolation of carrying invisible trauma, and the shock of learning that Penelope’s death was caused by an undiagnosed intestinal malrotation and volvulus. Four months on, Kim reflects on how her family is surviving the unimaginable, how grief reshapes everything, and how love, memory, and hope quietly coexist with pain. This episode is a gentle, honest space for tears, remembrance, and the reminder that even in the darkest moments, no parent has to grieve alone.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Conor, Jack’s dad, who shares the story of a journey that began with an unexpected and  smooth pregnancy, before taking a devastating turn. Conor also reflects on how this loss intersected with earlier grief in his life, having lost his sister to stillbirth at just 13 years old, and, eight years ago, his sister-in-law, experiences that shaped how he understood loss long before becoming a father himself.Conor recounts the sudden medical emergency that led to the heartbreaking loss of his son, Jack, and the surreal, bittersweet experience of Jack’s birth. He speaks powerfully about the overwhelming support from family, the precious moments they were able to share, and how tools like the cuddle cot allowed them to cherish time with Jack and begin building his legacy.The conversation explores what it was like bringing Jack home, how grief reshaped Conor’s outlook on life, and the challenges men often face when navigating loss. Conor opens up about seeking therapy, leaning on support networks, and dealing with anger and emotional outbursts that ultimately strengthened his relationship through shared grief.Peter and Conor also discuss the profound impact of a subsequent miscarriage, highlighting how compounded loss can reopen wounds while deepening understanding of grief. The episode closes with Conor explaining how sharing Jack’s story has brought comfort, connection, and a sense of hope, both for himself and for others walking a similar path.An honest conversation about fatherhood, cumulative grief, love, and the importance of giving dads space to grieve.

In this deeply moving episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Pat, Liam’s dad, shares the story of love, loss, and lasting connection that began with the excitement of expecting their third child and was forever changed by a devastating diagnosis. Pat speaks tenderly about Liam’s peaceful passing, the raw days that followed, and the challenge of learning how to live with grief.The conversation explores how finding support for the first time helped Pat feel less alone, and how shared understanding within bereavement groups eventually led him to support other parents in their own journeys. Pat reflects on imagining who Liam might have become, the ache of lost possibilities, and the comfort found in treasured keepsakes and family traditions that keep Liam’s memory close.Pat also shares how Liam’s life shaped his older brothers, revisited grief through later revelations, and ultimately made him a more empathetic, open-hearted person. With honesty and warmth, he speaks about the importance of sharing his story, and allowing space for fathers to grieve. A heartfelt episode about carrying love forward, even in the face of unimaginable loss.

In this emotional episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Craig shares the story of his son Luca, a deeply loved third child who changed their family forever.What began with hope and excitement became a journey shaped by love, courage, and unimaginable heartbreak. Craig reflects on the precious moments spent with Luca, the joy of family visits, and the quiet memories that now mean everything.He opens up about grief as a father, the dreams that never came to be, the weight of the “what ifs,” and what it means to love your child when time is heartbreakingly short.Through family, community, sport, and remembrance, Luca’s presence continues to shape Craig’s life.A gentle, honest reminder that love never leaves - and that no matter how short the time, the bond between a father and his son is forever. 🤍The song that see's out this episode is called "Safe with the Stars", written by a friend of Craigs for Luca.

“Be strong.”“Hold it together.”“Don’t cry.”For many fathers, grief is something they’re expected to carry in silence.In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, I’m joined by bereavement therapist Peter Hanlon for a raw and compassionate conversation about loss, fatherhood, and what happens when pain can’t be fixed.We explore how dads truly cope with grief, how to support grieving children with honesty, how relationships are impacted after the loss of a child, why community matters, and why healing doesn’t mean forgetting or moving on.If you’re grieving, feeling numb, or simply trying to get through the day, this episode is for you.Peter closes out the episode with a piece he wrote for the Little Lifetime Foundation Christmas Remembrance Mass.The piano piece at the very end of the episode was created in Aodhla’s memory by friend and listener Elizabeth Henry.

In this powerful episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Lar shares his son Oscar’s story, from the joy of early childhood to the subtle signs that led to a devastating DIPG diagnosis. He reflects on protecting Oscar’s innocence, creating magical memories, and facing the crushing silence that followed. From unimaginable grief came purpose: the creation of Oscar’s Kids, a charity to honour Oscars’s spirit and bring comfort, hope, and support to families walking a similar path. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on love, loss, resilience, and the enduring legacy of one extraordinary little boy.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, we sit with Linda - mam to the beautiful EmmaRose, whose brief but powerful life forever changed her family’s world. Linda walks us through her journey with raw honesty and quiet strength.From childhood sweethearts to the wonder of an unexpected pregnancy, she shares the joy, fear, and awe that shaped the early days of her motherhood. A single butterfly becomes a fateful symbol as innocence is lost, and Linda opens up about navigating grief while trying to make impossible, practical decisions.She recounts the quiet arrival and heartbreaking farewell of EmmaRose and the aching hope to grow their family again. We hear a father’s grief too - the loss of future dreams, the silence, and the pain that often goes unspoken.Another butterfly appears as a guide toward hope, leading to the arrival of their son, Adam. Linda reflects on how her life shifted from Montessori classrooms to a new way of seeing the world - one shaped by love, loss, and purpose.This episode is tender, courageous, and a reminder that no one walks through grief alone.

This week on Dads Don’t Cry, I’m joined by Tony - proud dad to Arthur.Tony opens up about the overwhelming joy of becoming a father for the first time, and the incredible strength he and Claire found in the Ringsend community during one of the most difficult times of their lives. He talks about the early days of navigating grief, the importance of honest conversations, and how connection with others became a lifeline.We dive into the beginnings of Féileacáin Fathers, the support group Tony helped build for bereaved dads. What started as a small circle has now grown into a nationwide community with more than 100 fathers across all 26 counties - a space where men can share, listen, and support each other with real vulnerability.Tony also reflects on how his family lovingly celebrates Arthur’s birthday each year, keeping his memory woven into their lives in meaningful and joyful ways.It’s a heartfelt, honest, and deeply inspiring conversation about fatherhood, loss, healing, and community - one you won’t want to miss.

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Dads Don’t Cry, my partner and I open the door to the most precious and heartbreaking chapter of our lives: the brief but beautiful time we shared with our little girl, Aodhla. Though she was with us for just 8 weeks and 2 days, she transformed our family with a light and joy we’ll carry forever.We celebrate the laughter and memories she gave us—from Sarah’s dream of giving Caragh a little sister, to Tom’s Christmas-morning spot squashed between his sisters in the back seat. Then, with honesty and raw vulnerability, we talk about the day everything changed. Losing Aodhla to SIDS shattered our world, and the journey since has been anything but simple.Together, we explore how grief has shown up differently for each of us, the strain it’s put on our relationship, and the hard work of staying connected when life feels impossibly heavy.We’re only 10 months into this nightmare, still finding our way through shock, pain, and survival. This episode is our first step in speaking our story, and we’ll be back to share more as we continue navigating grief, healing, and whatever comes next.

In this powerful episode, Irishman Dean shares the story of his daughter, Charli, his and his wife Emily’s angel baby. From their life in Chicago to the joy of expecting their first child during COVID, Dean reflects on love, hope, and heartbreak.At their 20-week scan, doctors discovered that Charli had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare, severe condition where she was missing the left side of her heart. With limited options and no family nearby, Dean and Emily faced an impossible choice.They ultimately made the selfless decision to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR), choosing to bear the pain themselves so Charli would never suffer. Dean speaks with raw honesty about love, loss, and the strength it takes to be a dad through unimaginable grief, a moving reminder that a dad’s love endures beyond loss.

This week on Dads Don’t Cry, we’re joined by Nina, mam to Liam and Grace. From knowing at a young age that motherhood was her calling, to navigating the challenges of IVF and loss, Nina opens up about her journey with raw honesty and love. She shares the heartbreak of saying goodbye too soon, the lasting joy her children brought, and how she continues to honour their memory every day.Through her work with Féileacáin, Nina now helps other families walking a similar path — finding strength, hope, and community in the hardest of moments.If you'd like to support Féileacáin you can do so at https://feileacain.ie/Please listen with care, and take breaks if you need to.Irish Organisations for bereaved parents and families -Anam Cara - anamcara.ieFéileacáin - feileacain.iePregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland - pregnancyandinfantloss.ieFirstLight - firstlight.ieA Little Lifetime Foundation - alittlelifetime.ieBarretstown - barretstown.org

In this heartfelt episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Adrian, Aoife’s dad. Adrian opens up about the incredible joy of welcoming his daughter into the world in 2007, and the unimaginable heartache of saying goodbye to her in 2012. He shares how Aoife’s passing became a powerful turning point, accelerating a career change and a renewed sense of purpose. With honesty, warmth, and courage, Adrian offers words of comfort and guidance to anyone navigating similar grief.Thank you, Adrian, for sharing your story with such openness -your words will touch and help anyone who listens.Please take care while listening. Take breaks if you need to, and remember you are not alone. A full list of support resources is available in the show notes and below.https://aoifesclowndoctors.ie/Irish Organisations for bereaved parents and families -Anam Cara - anamcara.ieFéileacáin - feileacain.iePregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland - pregnancyandinfantloss.ieFirstLight - firstlight.ieA Little Lifetime Foundation - alittlelifetime.ieBarretstown - barretstown.org

In the first episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter opens his heart and shares the story behind the podcast and the loss that inspired it. Speaking about his daughter Aodhla, Peter reflects on the silence that often surrounds fathers’ grief and why it’s time to break it. With honesty, love, and vulnerability, he explores what it means to be a dad after loss, why every child deserves to be remembered, and how sharing our stories can help us heal. This introduction aims to set the tone for a series that gives dads a voice — and reminds every grieving parent: you are not alone.