Dads Don't Cry

Episode 22: Róisín

In this deeply moving episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Lynda, Róisín’s mam and co-founder of Fairy Footprints, to share her powerful story of love, loss, and resilience. Lynda reflects on her early journey into motherhood, including the heartbreak of miscarriage before the joy of welcoming her daughter, Róisín. She paints a vivid picture of Róisín’s bright, spirited personality and the devastating day her life was suddenly cut short. The conversation explores the immediate aftermath of Róisín’s passing, navigating the hospital, facing the unimaginable task of returning home, and telling her son Killian that his sister was gone. Lynda speaks candidly about the rawness of grief, the silence that often surrounds it, and the struggle to find ways to cope. She shares how her family honours Róisín, and the small signs that brought comfort in the darkest moments. Lynda also opens up about subsequent miscarriages, the birth of her daughter Anna, and the difficult but important conversations about Róisín that continue within their family. As her family grew with the arrival of Brody, Lynda reflects on the evolving dynamics of grief, love, and parenting after loss. A key part of her journey has been transforming pain into purpose; creating memory boxes and advocating for better hospital bereavement support through the Fairy Footprints initiative. Throughout the episode, Lynda highlights the importance of supporting grieving siblings, keeping Róisín’s memory alive, and building a lasting legacy that helps other families facing similar heartbreak. The episode closes with a discussion on how others can support Fairy Footprints and contribute to a more compassionate approach to grief and loss.

Episode 21: Robyn-Grace

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter is joined by Michelle to share the powerful story of her daughter, Robyn-Grace. After early scans revealed serious concerns, Michelle received the devastating diagnosis of a rare and fatal condition. With limited options in Ireland at the time, the difficult decision was made to travel abroad for a medical termination, facing logistical challenges and societal judgment along the way. Michelle reflects on Robyn-Grace’s passing and birth in Liverpool, where she was able to spend precious time with her. She speaks about the complex mix of grief, guilt, and relief that followed, and the difficulty of returning home and coping with loss. The conversation also explores ongoing grief, miscarriages, and the emotional toll of hidden sorrow, alongside Michelle’s advocacy during the Repeal the 8th campaign for greater compassion and choice. The episode closes with her journey toward hope, including a subsequent pregnancy and the birth of her daughter Bonnie Grace, held alongside the lasting presence of grief and a commitment to supporting others.

Episode 20: The Journey Initiative

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.

Episode 19: Layla

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.

Episode 18: Elsie

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.