Parting Words

Episode 5, A Mother’s Grief: Eileen Loughlin on Losing Her Little Girl

In Episode Five of Parting Words, primary school teacher and content creator Eileen Loughlin shares the story no parent ever imagines telling: the loss of her three‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old daughter, Annabel, after a tragic accident in the family home. What began as an ordinary mid‑term morning became the day that changed everything, as Annabel was airlifted to Temple Street and surrounded by a team of doctors fighting to save her. Eileen recalls lying beside her little girl, singing to her and holding her until she died. Eileen speaks openly about the surreal days that followed, bringing Annabel home, laying her in her own bed, and the extraordinary support of neighbours, friends and family who kept vigil around the clock. She reflects on the Irish wake, the hundreds who came to her funeral, and the strength of a community that refused to let the family face their grief alone. She also talks about parenting through loss, from supporting her sons to introducing her youngest daughter Isla to the sister she never met. Annabel remains a daily presence in their home, from the lamp Eileen switches on each morning to the small signs that remind them she is still with them. Parting Words is proudly supported by An Post Insurance, whose funeral insurance product helps families prepare thoughtfully for life’s most difficult moments. This is a tender, courageous conversation about love, loss and the ways we carry our children, always.

Episode 4 - Daragh Fleming on Suicide Loss and Relearning Emotion

In this episode of the RIP.ie podcast Parting Words, writer and poet Daragh Fleming shares the story of losing his best friend, Erbie Underwood, to suicide at just 18 years old. Daragh speaks openly about the shock of Erbie’s death, the guilt he carried for years, and how his grief slowly shifted into four years of emotional numbness. He reflects on the silence that surrounds young men, the signs he never saw, and the long journey toward understanding his own mental health. Through honest conversation with host Muireann O’Connell, Daragh explores the reality of suicide grief, the questions that never get answered, and the fear that shaped his early adulthood. He also shares how writing became the tool that helped him relearn emotion and rebuild his life. This is a powerful and compassionate conversation for anyone who has been affected by suicide or sudden loss, and a reminder of why speaking openly about grief matters. Watch, listen, and join us as we explore the stories that shape how we live with loss. Parting Words is proudly supported by An Post Insurance.

Episode 3 - Miriam O’Callaghan on Anger, Faith and Choosing Joy

In this powerful episode of Parting Words, Miriam O’Callaghan speaks openly about the losses that changed her life forever. She reflects on the death of her sister Anne at just 33, the sudden passing of their father weeks later, and the anger, faith and perspective that shaped her in the years that followed. Miriam shares the moment her worldview collapsed, the graveside promise that transformed how she lives, and why she refuses to spend a single second worrying about death. It’s an honest, uplifting and deeply human conversation filled with light, laughter and hard‑won wisdom. The episode closes with a poem by Gerard Devine, exploring what it means to be Irish and the beauty woven through everyday life.

Episode 2 - Jacqui Hurley on Sudden Loss and Sibling Grief

In this deeply moving episode of Parting Words, broadcaster and author Jacqui Hurley sits down with Muireann O’Connell to share the story of her beloved brother Sean, who died suddenly in 2011 at just 25 years old. Jacqui speaks with honesty, humour and immense heart about the shock of losing a sibling so young, the joy and energy Sean brought into every room, and the ache of knowing her children will never meet the uncle who was “the absolute crack merchant.” Two nights before Sean died, he and his mother had an unexpected, powerful conversation — one that became his handwritten bucket list. That list would go on to shape the Hurley family’s life for the next 14 years, inspiring Team 109, a racing initiative set up in Sean’s memory. What began as a small act of remembrance became one of the most extraordinary sporting stories of 2024, culminating in Team 109 winning the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship. Jacqui reflects on grief, sibling loss, the signs that continue to comfort her, and the resilience that has carried her family through the darkest moments. It’s a conversation filled with love, laughter, and the enduring power of legacy. The episode closes with a grounding breathwork practice from Fiona Sweeney, offering listeners a moment of calm and reflection. Parting Words is proudly sponsored by An Post Insurance.

Episode 1 — Colm Hayes on Love, Cancer and Grief

In this episode, proudly sponsored by An Post Insurance, we meet a legend of Irish radio, Colm Hayes. Colm has been entertaining people on airwaves for decades from his early pirate radio days to FM104, 2FM, Radio Nova and most recently Classic Hits. In September 2025, Colm announced that his wife, Anne, had passed away after a six-year battle with breast cancer. Colm shares the story of how he and his beloved Anne lived with Cancer for 6 years, how is trying to cope with her loss and lessons he wants to pass on to others going through grief.