Category: Stories from Foster Care

Stories from Foster Care is a podcast brought to you by The Irish Foster Care Association. Join host Niamh Barrett as she meets people from all walks of life who have different experiences of foster care in Ireland. Listen to Stories from Foster Care on Spotify, Apple, Nearcast or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to subscribe for all the latest episodes. Stories from Foster Care is produced with the Nearcast podcast network, and is made in association with the Department of Children Equality Disability Integration and Youth.

Stories from Foster Care – Irene Browne talks to Maria O’Connell

In this episode Irish Foster Care Association chairperson Irene Browne talks to Maria O’Connell, school principal and keynote speaker at IFCA’s 2026 conference, The Healing Power of Play. In the course of this rich and informative conversation between two educators, we learn…

Stories from Foster Care – Clodagh Downes

In this episode of Stories from Foster Care, Niamh Barrett talks to Clodagh Downes. Clodagh was in relative foster care as a child and since then she has been on a journey through education in social care, working in disability services and now…

Stories from Foster Care – Scott and Tristan Casson-Rennie

In this episode of Stories from Foster Care, Andrew Murphy talks to Scott and Tristan Casson-Rennie about their adoption and fostering journeys as a same-sex couple. The conversation then focuses on their passion, as founders of FASD Ireland, to bring awareness about…

Stories from Foster Care – Maureen Gannon

In this episode of Stories from Foster Care, Andrew Murphy is speaking with Maureen Gannon. Maureen has been fostering for over 13 years and three years ago began offering emergency placement care. Drawing from her experience of over 150 placements, Maureen talks…

Stories from Foster Care – Elizabeth Ward and Bridget Power

In this episode of Stories from Foster Care, Niamh is speaking with Elizabeth Ward and Bridget Power, Traveller women who are family access workers at Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service in Dublin. In a wide-ranging and illuminating conversation about the experiences…

Stories from Foster Care – Katie Wrench part 2

Part 2 of 2 – Part one is available here and on Spotify here In this two-part interview, Niamh is speaking with Katie Wrench. Katie is a social worker, art psychotherapist and author. She and her family have also been respite foster…

Stories from Foster Care – Katie Wrench part 1

In this two-part interview, Niamh is speaking with Katie Wrench. Katie is a social worker, art psychotherapist and author. She and her family have also been respite foster carers. Katie was IFCA’s keynote speaker at its 2022 conference, Wrapped in Relationships. Katie…

Stories from Foster Care – Kai Brosnan

In this episode of Stories from Foster Care, Andrew is speaking with Kai Brosnan. Kai spent time in residential care and he shares his lived experience in a way that dispels a few myths and encourages a better understanding of it. Kai…

Stories from Foster Care – Andrea Reilly

In this episode of Stories from Foster Care, Niamh is talking to Andrea Reilly. Andrea is a passionate advocate for other young people, particularly those with lived experience in care. Andrea is committed to shining a light on the misunderstood, under-acknowledged and…

Stories from Foster Care – Niall Sheehan and Lauren O’Toole

In this latest episode of Stories from Foster Care, Niamh talks to father and foster daughter Niall Sheehan and Lauren O’Toole. An honest and wide-ranging conversation about the ups and downs of foster care, and a glimpse into a deep fostering relationship. Stories…