Sparks Will Fly
Episodes
The Rhythm of Life
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This week Sparky sits down with internationally acclaimedpoet and playwright, Paula Meehan and their mutu...
In Sweets, Sour is Better – Dion Fanning
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sparky sat down with journalist, podcaster and most importantly kids football coach, Dion Fanning to talk...
Grief, Recovery and Giving Back with Willa White
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ro...
Declan, a Dub and Derry
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Declan McLoughlan is an Irish singer songwriter from the streets of Free Derry. His songwriting style has...
Black 47 and Other Songs
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
A Heart Too Open
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Sparks Will Fly, Ray sits down with singer-songwriter, community activist and big hearted artist,...
25. In Between Silence
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
24. From Ballymun to Palestine
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
23. Father Eamon’s Homily
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sparky meets up with old friend Fr Eamon Sheridan and talk about Ballymun, recovery, faith, mischief and ...
22. God Knows I’m Trying – Tadgh Conroy
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Fresh out of treatment Tadgh Conroy has a deep chat with Sparky about addiction, recovery, treatment, hea...
21. Hurt by Our Own – Brendan Ogle
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Sparky is joined by Trade Unionist, lifelong activist, social justice advocate and stone ...
20. He Bangs the Drum
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this pod Sparky sits down with musician, photographer and community music activist, Dave Hingerty. Dav...
19. Old Songs and New Stories
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 myster...
17. Magical Music with Ro Byrne
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wit...
15. Cork Realism with Myles Gaffney
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
14. The Good-Bad Neighbour with Eric Lalor
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Sparky catches up with his neighbour comedian, podcaster, troublemaker and gem of a pal, ...
13. Hope and a Pot of Tea
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
12. Art of the People
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 so...
11. The Departed Stay Present – Meryl Streek
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ma...
10. The Parting Glass on Sparks Will Fly
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Bold with Joe McGucken
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Writer, actor, comedian and podcaster, Joe McGucken sits down with Ray for a chat about vulnerability, br...
8. Come on a Journey
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoise shack Ballymun native, Celine Burke, aka Lily, talks about her experiences with anxiety and severe agoraphobia...
7. The Fresh Batch on Sparks Will Fly
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Powerful stuff." "Raw, brave and beautiful." "The sickest joke was the price of the medicine." Just ...
6. Change the World
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode of Sparks Will Fly, Ray is joined by Mark Healy of Irish Indie-Electro band SKANGER to ta...
4. Two Punks Sitting in the Shack
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode of Sparks Will Fly, Ray is joined by punk scene hero and longtime friend, Simeon Smith. T...
Have Guitar, Will Travel
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode of Sparks Will Fly, Ray speaks with two old friends, Eoin Lee and Denis. They get stuck ...
#2. ‘My Mam Thought I was Mad’ – Sadhbh Coffey Duff
09 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode of Sparks Will Fly, Ray is joined by Reboot Republic Host, Rory Hearne to chat with their...
1. Samhain – Why We Still Love Halloween
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode of Sparks Will Fly, Sparky is joined by his old friend, singer-songwriter Colm Quearney a...
Sparks Will Fly
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack You all know Ray Sparky Corcoran as one half of the Fresh Batch and while that transformative series is o...