Dads Don't Cry
Dads Don't Cry is a heartfelt and honest podcast about fatherhood, love, and loss. Hosted by Peter, a dad who knows the depths of grief firsthand, each episode opens up the often-silent conversation around child loss, giving voice to fathers and families who carry their children's memories in their hearts every day. These are stories of courage, remembrance, and resilience, reminding us that grief shared is grief softened, and that no parent should ever feel alone.
Episodes
Where to Listen
The podcast is now airing as a special series on RTÉ Radio 1, with new episodes broadcast every Wednesday at 10:00pm.Missed the live broadcast? You can catch up from around 10:45pm each Wednesday by visiting RTÉ.ie/dadsdontcry or listening on the RTÉ Radio Player.This podcast feed will continue to be home to the original Dads Don't Cry episodes, featuring honest conversations with bereaved par
Episode 27: Listeners Questions
After a short break, Peter returns with a solo episode to share what's been happening behind the scenes, including the exciting news of a special summer series for Dads Don't Cry.He opens up about returning to Slane Church for the christening of his daughter Réiltín, the first time back since saying goodbye to Aodhla, and reflects on how grief and joy can exist side by side.Peter also answ
Episode 26: Ría
In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter sits down with Mark to share the story of his daughter, Ría, who died due to a Fetal-maternal hemorrhage (FMH). Per the pathologist, it happens rarely, is not predictable or preventable. Sadly one of those tragic, unfortunate, events.Mark speaks with remarkable honesty about the excitement of pregnancy, the fears that surfaced along the way, and the devasta
Episode 25: Frankie
In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Sinead, Frankie’s mammy, to share the story of her beloved son and the profound impact his loss has had on her life and family.Sinead opens up about her pregnancy, the concerns she felt weren’t being heard, and the devastating events that led to Frankie’s brief life and her own near-death experience. With remarkable honesty, she reflects o
Episode 24: Finn
This week on Dads Don’t Cry, Peter is joined by Chloe, Finn’s mam, for a deeply moving conversation about love, hope, resilience, and loss.Chloe shares her journey through pregnancy, receiving Finn’s diagnosis of Down syndrome, and the many challenges that followed after his birth. She opens up about the long hospital stays, moments of uncertainty, the search for answers, and the strength it took
Episode 23: Georgia "Sesame"
In this deeply honest episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter is joined by Finlay to share the emotional story of pregnancy loss, grief, healing, and hope. Finlay opens up about the excitement of expecting a baby, the devastation of discovering there was no heartbeat at the 12-week scan, and the traumatic experience that followed.Together, they explore the realities of miscarriage, the isolation many par
Episode 22: Róisín
In this deeply moving episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Lynda, Róisín’s mam and co-founder of Fairy Footprints, to share her powerful story of love, loss, and resilience.Lynda reflects on her early journey into motherhood, including the heartbreak of miscarriage before the joy of welcoming her daughter, Róisín. She paints a vivid picture of Róisín’s bright, spirited personality an
Episode 21: Robyn-Grace
In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter is joined by Michelle to share the powerful story of her daughter, Robyn-Grace. After early scans revealed serious concerns, Michelle received the devastating diagnosis of a rare and fatal condition. With limited options in Ireland at the time, the difficult decision was made to travel abroad for a medical termination, facing logistical challenges and socie
Episode 20: The Journey Initiative
In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter sits down with Jane Dalrymple, Clinical Midwife Specialist in Fetal Medicine at the Rotunda Hospital, to explore the compassionate, often unseen work of supporting families through pregnancy loss.Jane shares how listening to parents shaped the creation of the Journey Initiative, a thoughtful approach to bereavement care that prioritises dignity, connec
Episode 19: Layla
Nine years after losing his first child at birth, Nathan joins host Peter to share the story of Layla’s pregnancy and the devastating loss that followed when he was just 21 years old. He reflects on the insensitivity he and his family faced in hospital, how he coped with grief at such a young age, and the ways he has kept Layla’s memory alive ever since.Nathan also speaks candidly about the darkes
Episode 18: Elsie
In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Vanessa, Elsie’s mam, who shares her family’s powerful and heartbreaking story. What begins as the joy of a surprise twin pregnancy soon becomes a high-risk journey when serious heart defects are discovered in one twin, Elsie. Vanessa and her husband navigate hope, fear, and anticipation as they prepare for complex surgery after birth, onl
Episode 17: Willow
In Episode 17 of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter sits down with Elaine to share the story of her daughter, Willow - a story that begins with hope and love, and unfolds into unimaginable heartbreak.Elaine speaks openly about Willow’s earliest days and the quiet, persistent instinct that something wasn’t right. Reassured it was “first-time mother syndrome,” she tried to trust the professionals. Willow wa
Episode 16: Paddy
This week, we’re doing something different.While Dads Don’t Cry usually explores the impact of losing a child, this episode gently turns the lens the other way, asking what it means to lose a parent, especially as a young adult.Old enough to understand the weight of what’s gone…But often still young enough to feel completely unanchored without them.In this deeply personal conversation, Donna joins
Episode 15: Indie Mai
In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Caroline shares the beautiful life and radiant personality of her daughter, Indie Mai, a joyful, loving child who touched everyone around her. She reflects on Indie’s final weekend, the heartbreaking moment everything changed, and the desperate efforts to save her.Caroline speaks openly about the reality of child loss and suicide, the shock, the unanswered q
Episode 14: Izzy
On this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter is joined by Izzy’s mam, Lauren, during a week that should have been filled with joy celebrating Izzy’s second birthday. Instead, Lauren bravely shares the unimaginable story of losing her daughter.Together, they walk through the frantic attempts to save Izzy, and the devastating moments that followed - from the ambulance ride to the hospital, to hearing th
Episode 13: Penelope
In this deeply moving episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter sits down with Kim to honour the life and loss of her daughter, Penelope—a bright, unapologetically herself child who filled every room with her spirit. Kim tenderly introduces us to Penelope, sharing who she was beyond the tragedy, before recounting the sudden phone call in September 2025 that shattered her world. What began as an ordinary mo
Episode 12: Jack
In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Conor, Jack’s dad, who shares the story of a journey that began with an unexpected and smooth pregnancy, before taking a devastating turn. Conor also reflects on how this loss intersected with earlier grief in his life, having lost his sister to stillbirth at just 13 years old, and, eight years ago, his sister-in-law, experiences that sha
Episode 11: Liam
In this deeply moving episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Pat, Liam’s dad, shares the story of love, loss, and lasting connection that began with the excitement of expecting their third child and was forever changed by a devastating diagnosis. Pat speaks tenderly about Liam’s peaceful passing, the raw days that followed, and the challenge of learning how to live with grief.The conversation explores how fin
Episode 10: Luca
In this emotional episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Craig shares the story of his son Luca, a deeply loved third child who changed their family forever.What began with hope and excitement became a journey shaped by love, courage, and unimaginable heartbreak. Craig reflects on the precious moments spent with Luca, the joy of family visits, and the quiet memories that now mean everything.He opens up about
Episode 9: Peter Hanlon, Bereavement Therapist
“Be strong.”“Hold it together.”“Don’t cry.”For many fathers, grief is something they’re expected to carry in silence.In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, I’m joined by bereavement therapist Peter Hanlon for a raw and compassionate conversation about loss, fatherhood, and what happens when pain can’t be fixed.We explore how dads truly cope with grief, how to support grieving children with honesty, ho
Episode 8: Oscar
In this powerful episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Lar shares his son Oscar’s story, from the joy of early childhood to the subtle signs that led to a devastating DIPG diagnosis. He reflects on protecting Oscar’s innocence, creating magical memories, and facing the crushing silence that followed. From unimaginable grief came purpose: the creation of Oscar’s Kids, a charity to honour Oscars’s spirit and b
Episode 7: Emma Rose
In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, we sit with Linda - mam to the beautiful EmmaRose, whose brief but powerful life forever changed her family’s world. Linda walks us through her journey with raw honesty and quiet strength.From childhood sweethearts to the wonder of an unexpected pregnancy, she shares the joy, fear, and awe that shaped the early days of her motherhood. A single butterfly becomes a
Episode 6: Arthur
This week on Dads Don’t Cry, I’m joined by Tony - proud dad to Arthur.Tony opens up about the overwhelming joy of becoming a father for the first time, and the incredible strength he and Claire found in the Ringsend community during one of the most difficult times of their lives. He talks about the early days of navigating grief, the importance of honest conversations, and how connection with othe
Episode 5: Aodhla (Part 1)
In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Dads Don’t Cry, my partner and I open the door to the most precious and heartbreaking chapter of our lives: the brief but beautiful time we shared with our little girl, Aodhla. Though she was with us for just 8 weeks and 2 days, she transformed our family with a light and joy we’ll carry forever.We celebrate the laughter and memories she gave us—from Sara
Episode 4: Charli Mae
In this powerful episode, Irishman Dean shares the story of his daughter, Charli, his and his wife Emily’s angel baby. From their life in Chicago to the joy of expecting their first child during COVID, Dean reflects on love, hope, and heartbreak.At their 20-week scan, doctors discovered that Charli had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare, severe condition where she was missing the left
Episode 3: Liam & Grace
This week on Dads Don’t Cry, we’re joined by Nina, mam to Liam and Grace. From knowing at a young age that motherhood was her calling, to navigating the challenges of IVF and loss, Nina opens up about her journey with raw honesty and love. She shares the heartbreak of saying goodbye too soon, the lasting joy her children brought, and how she continues to honour their memory every day.Through her w
Episode 2: Aoife
In this heartfelt episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Adrian, Aoife’s dad. Adrian opens up about the incredible joy of welcoming his daughter into the world in 2007, and the unimaginable heartache of saying goodbye to her in 2012. He shares how Aoife’s passing became a powerful turning point, accelerating a career change and a renewed sense of purpose. With honesty, warmth, and cour
A Dad's First Words
In the first episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter opens his heart and shares the story behind the podcast and the loss that inspired it. Speaking about his daughter Aodhla, Peter reflects on the silence that often surrounds fathers’ grief and why it’s time to break it. With honesty, love, and vulnerability, he explores what it means to be a dad after loss, why every child deserves to be remembere
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