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Sparks Will Fly

tortoise shack

Sparks Will Fly is the new podcast by Ray – Sparky – Corcoran and the tortoise shack. It is the podcast for and by Our Community.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 8 min
  • English

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Episodes 20

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  • S1 · E32
    February 23 · length unknown

    The Rhythm of Life

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This week Sparky sits down with internationally acclaimedpoet and playwright, Paula Meehan and their mutual good friend and local legend, Kay Foran. Paula shares some poetry and the conversation meanders from the importance of community to the carrots in Coddle debate. We're Back, Yup the Flats! The No Homes For Sale podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-151345772 The ICE and Forever War podcast with Greg Stoker is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150904626 Support the Ionad Hind Rajab here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/ionad-hind-rajab-150782129

  • S1 · E31
    Nov 13, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min

    In Sweets, Sour is Better – Dion Fanning

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sparky sat down with journalist, podcaster and most importantly kids football coach, Dion Fanning to talk about their passions, experiences and feelings towards jellies. Yup! The Ivan Yates Scandal-non-scandal podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-143255108 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

  • S1 · E30
    Oct 26, 2025 · length unknown

    Grief, Recovery and Giving Back with Willa White

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sparks Will Fly is back and in this very special episode Ray sits down with acclaimed comedian and all round force of nature, Willa White, to discuss their own experiences of grief, addiction, recovery and fellowship. Don't worry, it's much more fun than I've made it sound! The Post-Election Special is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142094500

  • S1 · E28
    Aug 19, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min

    Declan, a Dub and Derry

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Declan McLoughlan is an Irish singer songwriter from the streets of Free Derry. His songwriting style has seen him dubbed the “Derry Bruce Springsteen” as like The Boss his songs often revolve around characters and social issues. Ray went into the old city for this chat with an old friend. Yup! The latest SWF with Adam Mohamed is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-136760010 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

  • S1 · E27
    Aug 7, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    Black 47 and Other Songs

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Growing up Chris Byrne spent his time between New York City and Rural Ireland, he became a Brooklyn Cop, learned the tin whistle and uillean pipes and as part of Black 47, toured with the Pogues. And that was just a little bit of his story. He sat down with Sparky for a chat about it all and more. The Christy Moore podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135485064 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

  • S1 · E26
    Jul 28, 2025 · 1 hr 24 min

    A Heart Too Open

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Sparks Will Fly, Ray sits down with singer-songwriter, community activist and big hearted artist, Sean Millar, for a raw, emotional and deeply personal conversation. Sure it's always the way, isn't it. Beautiful, Sean. Thank you. The latest SWF with Black 47's Chris Byrne is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135125057 To support Dignity for Palestine click here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

  • S1 · E25
    Jul 21, 2025 · length unknown

    25. In Between Silence

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Stano has been a recording artist, musician, painter and activist for decades. He is a storyteller and a collector of stories. In this podcast he and Sparky talk music, stories, solidarity and humanity in what can only be described as a very special conversation. Don't miss it. Latest Echo Chamber RTE-An Post podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134177046 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

  • S1 · E24
    Jul 14, 2025 · length unknown

    24. From Ballymun to Palestine

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Everyone in Ballymun knows Robert Murphy. From the shop in the van to the post office man, he's a local institution. He sits down with Sparky to talk about his life, why he went on the recent Global March to Gaza and what happened when the Egyptian Army stepped in. Yup! Stano on Sparks Will Fly is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134088321 The Prof Richard Murphy podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133571593 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

  • S1 · E23
    Jun 23, 2025 · length unknown

    23. Father Eamon’s Homily

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sparky meets up with old friend Fr Eamon Sheridan and talk about Ballymun, recovery, faith, mischief and Eamon’s remarkable work in Myanmar. Yup! Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

  • S1 · E22
    Jun 5, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min

    22. God Knows I’m Trying – Tadgh Conroy

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Fresh out of treatment Tadgh Conroy has a deep chat with Sparky about addiction, recovery, treatment, healing and more. What a heart. The Frances Black podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130406374

  • S1 · E21
    May 20, 2025 · 1 hr 27 min

    21. Hurt by Our Own – Brendan Ogle

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Sparky is joined by Trade Unionist, lifelong activist, social justice advocate and stone in your shoe, Brendan Ogle, to talk his pathway (trainline?) into workers rights, mental health struggles, Apollo House and why people have the right to be angry. But how that anger needs to be redirected upwards instead of punching down. Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

  • S1 · E20
    May 9, 2025 · 1 hr 28 min

    20. He Bangs the Drum

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this pod Sparky sits down with musician, photographer and community music activist, Dave Hingerty. Dave as well as drumming with the likes of the Frames, Kíla and Josh ritter, spearheads the Side4 collective which is just unreal, trust us. They chat about drumming, rock n roll, some resentments, being on the road and touring America. This is a long one, but so worth it!

  • S1 · E18
    Apr 29, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min

    19. Old Songs and New Stories

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Sparky is joined by musical artist Colm Quearney for a chat that goes on a magical mystery tour. They talk about music, friendship, family, the new Ireland they'd like to see and how we can enjoy our old songs while writing new stories. Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702

  • S1 · E17
    Apr 16, 2025 · 56 min

    17. Magical Music with Ro Byrne

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This week I have my mate Ro Byrne with me in the (wall to wall communist) shack. Ro was the guitarist with Dublin band Lir and one of my firm firm favourites Earthquake Hair. We chat about the magic of music, ups, downs and lots more.

  • S1 · E15
    Mar 24, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min

    15. Cork Realism with Myles Gaffney

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This week my guest is Myles Gaffney a Grammy nominated singer songwriter from Corks Northside. Myles is a natural storyteller so turn in tune in and drop out😝 Note: no mushy peas, Tanora or Apple iPhones were hurt in the making of this podcast. Support Dignity for Palestine in Gaza here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-your-124980167

  • S1 · E14
    Mar 16, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min

    14. The Good-Bad Neighbour with Eric Lalor

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Sparky catches up with his neighbour comedian, podcaster, troublemaker and gem of a pal, Eric Lalor. They chat everything from him being scouted for Man Utd, to how he hit the ground running with his comedy and acting career. Yup!

  • S1 · E13
    Mar 6, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min

    13. Hope and a Pot of Tea

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Sparky chats with his dear friend who is also in recovery, Terry, about the experience of being orphaned, childhood trauma, football, reevaluation co-counselling, right through to recovery, giving back and helping others. A lovely chat. The next SWF with Eric Lalor is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-123757139

  • S1 · E12
    Feb 28, 2025 · 55 min

    12. Art of the People

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Sparky is joined in the tortoise shack by Aaron Sunderland Carey, who is a multi media socially engaged artist, who works with young people in Rialto and Ballymun. His work is motivated by conversations he has in the community and my god is he a great man for the chat. Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy on immigration is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-123157069

  • S1 · E11
    Feb 20, 2025 · 50 min

    11. The Departed Stay Present – Meryl Streek

    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode of Sparks Will Fly (with a side of Echo Chamber Pod), Ray is joined by the voice of so many in Ireland's locked-out generation; the politically outspoken punk and thoroughly decent fella, Meryl Streek. They discuss his music, his persona vs himself, how anger can be directed into creative work, sobriety after life on the road and so much more. Yup! The UK in Disarray Pod with Prof Richard Murphy is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-122032679

  • S1 · E10
    Feb 12, 2025 · 48 min

    10. The Parting Glass on Sparks Will Fly

    Please join us for more exclusive content at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this special crossover pod Ray and his special-guest-sidekick, host of the Parting Glass Podcast, Niamh Ryan, chat with the amazing Seana Halpin who is a Special Needs Assistant who suffers with Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Another open, informative and powerful conversation. The Adam SpiceBag Doyle Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-121574544

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