Show Notes
What happens when a 13-year-old boy gives his dad the courage to change his life forever? On this episode of The Parting Glass, I'm joined by Finglas man Mark Dunne and his son Ross for an incredibly honest, moving and uplifting conversation about family, identity, acceptance and finding the courage to be yourself. Mark grew up in a BIG family, one of twelve children, and has always been the outgoing life and soul of the party. A proud dad of three, Mark spent years living a life that, on the outside, looked happy and settled. But there was one part of himself he had never found the courage to share. Five years ago, his then 13-year-old son Ross sat him down and told him he was gay. What Ross didn't realise was that his honesty would inspire his dad to confront a truth he had kept hidden for years. Mark was gay too. At 44, Mark finally came out to his children, family and friends and began living life on his own terms. We talk about the fear of coming out later in life, the reactions of family and friends, the freedom of finally being yourself, and finding love again. Now engaged to his first boyfriend, Stephen, Mark shares the excitement of planning their future while navigating a long-distance relationship. Mark also opens up about becoming a voice of support for others in the LGBTQ+ community, sharing his everyday life, humour and honesty with his growing TikTok following, The Life of Mark. And Ross joins us to share his side of a story that proves sometimes the courage of a child can change a parent's life. One conversation. Two coming-out journeys. A whole lot of courage, love and acceptance. A powerful reminder that it's never too late to be who you truly are, and never too late to find happiness. This is one conversation you won't want to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The Parting Glass
From the Gaiety Theatre to the White House, Claire Malone has lived a life that sounds like a dream. But behind the applause is a story of grief, anxiety, sacrifice and resilience. In this deeply honest episode of The Parting Glass Podcast, Claire opens up about growing up in Drumcondra with a mother living with manic depression, and how performing became both her escape and her calling. Her journey would take her from the Gaiety Theatre box office to touring internationally with The Commitments, sharing stages with huge names and even performing at the White House. Along the way, she built a successful career as a wedding singer, created the award-winning band Gossip and ran her own events company, Create Your Night. But success came with a price. Claire speaks candidly about losing her mother to a brain tumour at just 27, leaving Dublin for Carlingford, losing friendships, becoming a wife and mother, navigating anxiety, and the enormous pressure of trying to keep every part of life moving at once. She also reflects on motherhood and her IVF journey, the realities behind the image of a successful performer, and the moments when ambition, family and personal happiness collide. This is not simply a story about a woman who made it. It's about what happens behind the scenes when the person everyone expects to keep smiling is struggling too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this moving episode Paddy Hickey, dad of Ollie Hickey, opens up about his son’s courageous battle with muscular dystrophy and the impact the condition has had on Ollie, his family and everyone around them.
Caoimhe Butterly is one of Ireland's most fearless human rights activists. For more than two decades, she has stood on the frontlines of some of the world's most dangerous conflicts, working alongside communities in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, and beyond. In 2002, she was shot by Israeli forces while working as a human rights observer in the West Bank, yet her commitment to justice never wavered.
On this episode of The Parting Glass, I’m delighted to be joined by my latest guest, Kieran Coote. I recently had the chance to read his book Mam and Me, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most beautiful and powerful memoirs I’ve come across. In it, Kieran shares his deeply personal experience of caring for his mam, Patricia, as she lived with dementia. It’s a story rooted in love, patience, grief, and the quiet, everyday moments that come to mean everything. Kieran is an incredibly articulate speaker and a gifted writer, and his book captures not only the challenges of caregiving, but also the tenderness, humour, and humanity that can exist alongside it. Mam and Me paints a vivid portrait of a mother and son relationship tested by illness, yet strengthened through compassion and connection. In our conversation, we explore what it means to care for someone you love, how memory shapes identity, and the emotional realities that often go unspoken when it comes to dementia. I’m really grateful Kieran could join me for this one this is a conversation that stays with you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I was delighted to welcome Eric Lalor to The Parting Glass last week. Actor, comedian, podcaster and a diehard Bohs man, Eric’s story goes far beyond the stage. From growing up with a deaf parent shaping his razor sharp ear for timing, to becoming a familiar face on Fair City, he’s carved out a career built on honesty, grit and serious laughs. We get into the chaos of his worst gig, he lived to tell the tale, the buzz of his very best nights and why working with Willa White isn’t just a job, it’s a labour of love. It’s funny, it’s raw and it’s full of heart. This is Eric Lalor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.