[Documentary]

[Signal Awards Winner 2025: Best Indie Podcast - Individual Episode - Bronze]

Take a trip to Inishbofin island off the west coast of Ireland. A beloved family-run hotelis making some changes.What will their regular guests think?

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I've been going to Inishbofin, with a group of friends every Easter for years.

It's our annual secular pilgrimage to the island, where we stay at Ireland's most westerly hotel—The Doonmore, or Murray's, as the locals call it, named after the family who have run it for over half a century.

During the Winter months, changes have been afoot at the hotel. There have been rumours the hotel has made some major renovations, and today will be the first time the general public will experience the new and improved Murray's Doonmore hotel.

Come with us as we explore the hotel and the island. We'll delve into the linked history of both. We'll ask the question; what keeps people coming back year after year, generation after generation? And we'll meet some of the characters that make up the customers and staff of The Doonmore Hotel.

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Produced and narrated by John Roche

Thanks to Andrew Murray, Declan Shaw, Róisín Lafferty and all the guests and staff who talked to us.

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Special thanks to Des Kavanagh for the specific music made for this episode. As well as a musician, Des makes and restores musical instruments. Check him out at Kavanagh’s Irish Instruments on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kavanagh.irishinstruments/

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The rest of the music in the episode was recorded live at Murray's Bar, Inishbofin courtesy of YouTube via:

Andrew Murray @doonmore1

Owen Murray @owenmurray6472

Trad TG4 @tradtg4

Lugh the master craftsman @fultonHousesNYC

Pascal Jouneau @pascaljouneau3608

LiveTrad @livetrad

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Clips courtesy of RTÉ archives:

https://www.rte.ie/archives/

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Full transcript available here:

https://mrjohnroche-42475.medium.com/yarn-29-hotel-on-the-edge-of-europe-f11834c6bbf9

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Comments and feedback very welcome!

Instagram: @YarnStoryPod

email: yarnstorypodcast (at) gmail.com

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Murray's Doonmore Hotel website:

https://www.doonmore.com/

Roisin Lafferty website:

https://roisinlafferty.com/

Declan Shaw instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/solar_bones/

[Short form interview with immersive audio]

2025 marks the 55th anniversary of the Samaritans’ presence in Ireland.

Lucy’s grandmother, Judy, dedicated 30 years as a volunteer with the organisation, offering support through their phone line. Although Lucy has always been curious about her grandmother’s experiences on those calls, Samaritans volunteers are bound by a pledge of confidentiality regarding their callers. However, there was one call Judy could share with Lucy—and the reason why will soon become clear.

Produced and narrated by Lucy Nuzum.

Edited by John Roche.

Cover artwork by Ed Taylor.

Music: Epidemic Sound.-Comments and feedback very welcome!Email: yarnstorypodcast (at) gmail.com.Insta: @YarnStoryPod

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Struggling to cope and need someone to talk to?

Samaritans Ireland:

email jo@samaritans.ie or call on 116 123.