My Journey Home

28/07/2025

From Atlanta to Monaghan for Love: The Story of Sam Owens.

On this episode of My Journey Home, we meet Sam Owens, who swapped Atlanta, Georgia — famous for Coke, BBQ, Delta Airlines, and the Olympics — for Monaghan, all in the name of love.

Sam met his wife Ingrid in the U.S., and in 2019, they moved with their two daughters to her hometown of Monaghan. A lifelong passion for special needs education led Sam to excel as a teacher back in Georgia, and he’s continued that dedication here in Ireland at Holy Family National School in Cootehill. Though it took time to navigate the requirements to become an SNA in Monaghan, he’s found his place — thanks in large part to the warm, supportive local community.

We loved hearing about his journey, how saying “Yes Ma’am” isn’t because he served in the army, but is simply an Atlanta tradition of showing respect, and how he was named after the Bible — not after “Uncle Sam,” the popular symbol of America.

In this heartwarming conversation, Sam shares why he believes it’s so important for migrants to integrate and get to know their host country, saying it enriches both the newcomer and the community. His philosophy? Carpe diem — seize the day, and live life to the fullest.

From Atlanta to Monaghan for Love: The Story of Sam Owens. On this episode of My Journey Home, we meet Sam Owens, who swapped Atlanta, Georgi

20/07/2025

It was a real pleasure to welcome Joanne Frivet, a barrister and entrepreneur originally from Mauritius, who has built a full and vibrant life in Ireland since settling in Leitrim in 2015. A mother, legal consultant, and wellness practitioner, Joanne now runs her own legal consultancy, a massage therapy clinic, and has recently launched LegalMoov — a platform designed to make reliable legal information more accessible to everyone.

She spoke with honesty and heart about her home country — a diverse island nation even smaller than Leitrim — and how she rose from humble beginnings to succeed in the demanding world of law. Her journey is a powerful reminder of resilience, purpose, and the many ways migrant women contribute to and shape life in Ireland.

Podcast coming soon!

16/07/2025

UP NEXT: Joanne Frivet on Law, Life & Belonging in Leitrim

From Mauritius this Sunday 20th of July 2025 on My Journey Home on Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM, 8-9pm:

Meet Joanne Frivet, a Mauritian barrister and entrepreneur who has been making Ireland home since 2015. Now settled in Leitrim with her Irish husband, Joanne has built a multifaceted life — running a legal consultancy, a massage therapy clinic, and a new platform to help people access and understand legal information.

As a mother, migrant, and professional, Joanne reflects on what it truly means to belong — and how she’s found purpose, connection, and community in Ireland.

13/07/2025

A huge thank you to Sam Owens for joining us on My Journey Home today and sharing his inspiring story of moving from Atlanta, Georgia to Monaghan for love, family, and a fulfilling career in special needs education.

We loved hearing about his journey, the warm community in Monaghan, and his wonderful message to migrants to integrate, get to know their host country, and seize the day!

Keep an eye out for the podcast — coming soon!

08/07/2025

Coming up on My Journey Home: The Story of Sam!

This Sunday 13th of July 2025 8-9pm, we welcome Sam G. Owens, who moved all the way from Atlanta, Georgia to Monaghan back in May 2019.

Sam was a dedicated special needs teacher in the U.S. and continues his inspiring work here in Monaghan, making a difference in the lives of young people every day.

Tune in to hear about why he chose Ireland, how he’s adjusted to life in Monaghan, and the joys and challenges of teaching special needs students on both sides of the Atlantic.

🗓️ Don’t miss it!
Only on My Journey Home, where we share the incredible stories of people who’ve made Ireland their new home.

08/07/2025

LISTEN BACK: Nigerian Women in Leitrim: Working, Studying, and Finding New Home (Podcast - 06 July 2025)

In this weeks edition of My Journey Home we meet three inspiring Nigerian women making new lives in Leitrim! Vera Emuobohwo, Funmilola Ouewale, and Zion Itua come from different states—Edo, Osun, and Akwa Ibom—each speaking their own language and proudly sharing their heritage. Vera arrived in 2024, Funmi in 2023, and Zion just this year. From tackling Irish weather to missing home cooking, they’ve found ways to integrate and thrive. Now, Vera works with the HSE while Funmi and Zion pursue social care studies.

Their message? Get out there, meet people, and embrace the community waiting to welcome you.

In this weeks edition of My Journey Home we meet three inspiring Nigerian women making new lives in Leitrim!

01/07/2025

LISTEN BACK: Portraits of Belonging: The EU21 Stories Brought to Life by Monaghan-based Polish Photographer Barbara Golec Regiec (29 July 2025 Podcast)

Join us for a powerful conversation with Barbara Golec Regiec, the Polish-born, Monaghan-based photographer behind the EU21 Exhibition. In this moving project, Barbara captures 12 striking portraits — each paired with a personal story — revealing what it’s like to live in Ireland as an EU citizen.

Through her lens, we meet individuals from Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, now calling Monaghan, Kerry, Meath and Dublin home.

We’re also joined by Audrey Wilson of Creative Monaghan and Cavan County Council, along with Mairead Treanor of Monaghan County Libraries, who share the vision behind this inspiring collaboration — one that puts human stories at the heart of migration.

Don’t miss this celebration of identity, belonging, and what it truly means to find a home away from home.

Barbara Golec Regiec
Photographs Forever By Barbs
Monaghan County Council
Creative Monaghan
Monaghan County Libraries

Join My Journey Home this week for a powerful conversation with Barbara Golec Regiec the Polish-born, Monaghan-based photographer

30/06/2025

Up Next! This Sunday 06 July 2025 - Meet three inspiring Nigerian women who now call Leitrim home! 🇳🇬🇮🇪

✨ Vera Emuobohwo, Funmilola Ouewale, and Zion Itua may come from three different corners of Nigeria—Edo State, Osun State, and Akwa Ibom—each proudly speaking their own language and carrying their unique heritage.

Vera arrived in 2024, Funmi in 2023, and Zion just this year in 2025. From grappling with the Irish weather 🌧 to missing the tastes of home 🍲, they’ve each found ways to integrate and thrive. Vera now works with the HSE, while Funmi and Zion are pursuing social care studies.

Their message? Get out there, meet people, and embrace the community that’s ready to welcome you with open arms.

Tune in to hear their warm, honest, and hopeful stories—only on My Journey Home Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM.

📻 Don’t miss it!

24/06/2025

Coming Up this Sunday 29th of June on My Journey Home: Portraits of Belonging - The EU21 Stories by Polish photographer Barbara Golec-Regiec from Monaghan

Join us for a powerful conversation with Barbara Golec Regiec, the Polish-born, Monaghan-based photographer behind the EU21 Exhibition. In this moving project, Barbara captures 12 striking portraits — each paired with a personal story — revealing what it’s like to live in Ireland as an EU citizen.

Through her lens, we meet individuals from Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, now calling Monaghan, Kerry, Meath, and Dublin home.

We’re also joined by Audrey Wilson of Creative Monaghan and Cavan County Council, along with Mairead Treanor of Monaghan County Libraries, who share the vision behind this inspiring collaboration — one that puts human stories at the heart of migration.

Don’t miss this celebration of identity, belonging, and what it truly means to find a home away from home.

Tune in on My Journey Home — where every story is a step toward understanding. 8-9pm Sunday 29th of June on Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM

23/06/2025

LISTEN BACK: From Blues to Broadband: Dutch Tech Specialist Daniel Peeters and Ukrainian Saxophonist Dmitry Rekun make Cavan their home (Podcast -22 June 2025)

In this episode, we meet two remarkable men who travelled from opposite corners of Europe to settle in County Cavan — both arriving for love and bringing creativity, passion, and purpose to their new home.
Daniel Peeters, originally from the Netherlands, moved to Cavan in 2001. Now Broadband Officer with Cavan County Council and Head of Cavan Connects, Daniel is tackling digital exclusion and building community through tech. He shares plans for a new migrant-friendly app, the success of the Cavan Connects Café, and his unique hobby — kendo, the Japanese martial art. He also recommends a visit to the International Court of Justice in The Hague

Dmitry Rekun, a saxophonist and sound producer born in Chukotka and raised in Kyiv, moved to Belturbet in 2023. Blending jazz, blues, hip-hop, and electronic music, Dmitry shares how his years in Hungary’s forests and saunas deepened his connection with nature. He plays a deeply personal original track and talks about his fulfilling work as a social care worker, encouraging artists to be bold, explore, and integrate into Irish life.

From broadband to beats, this episode is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and what it truly means to make a new place feel like home.

Daniel Peeters, originally from the Netherlands, moved to Cavan in 2001. Now Broadband Officer with Cavan County Council and Head

22/06/2025

From Blues to Broadband!

Tonight, we met two remarkable men who journeyed from opposite ends of Europe to make County Cavan their home — each arriving for love, and each bringing with them a deep sense of purpose, creativity, and commitment to community.

Daniel Peeters, originally from the Netherlands, moved to Cavan in 2001. Now serving as Broadband Officer with Cavan County Council and Head of Cavan Connects, Daniel is leading efforts to strengthen digital inclusion and build more connected, inclusive communities. He reflected on his early days in Ireland, where the biggest culture shock wasn’t the weather — it was the slow internet! Today, he’s working to change that.

Daniel shared exciting plans for a new mobile app that will help migrants easily navigate local services, and spoke about the growing success of the Cavan Connects Café — a vibrant community hub where newcomers can meet, share stories, and find support. In his spare time, Daniel practices kendo, the Japanese martial art of fencing, which is gaining interest in Cavan. He also touched on upcoming plans to launch a creative platform for artists. He recommends visiting International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

Dmitry Rekun, a saxophonist and sound producer, was born in Chukotka, Russia, raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, and moved to Belturbet in 2023 after more than a decade performing across Europe. His music fuses jazz, blues, hip-hop, and electronic influences, creating a sound that’s as rich and layered as his personal journey.

During his years in Hungary, Dmitry found peace in the forests and renewal in the country’s public saunas — experiences that deepened his connection with nature. Holding a Master’s in European Literature, his familiarity with Irish writers helped ease his cultural transition when he moved to Ireland.

Dmitry played an original track that he composed and produced, featuring vocals by a close friend from Ukraine. Though the song contains no saxophone, it holds deep personal significance — a reflection of his emotional journey to Ireland where he has happily planted his roots.

Outside of music, Dmitry works as a social care worker, a role he finds profoundly rewarding. He encouraged fellow artists and newcomers alike to be bold, curious, and open — to create, to explore, and to integrate into community life.

Both Daniel and Dmitry spoke of how welcoming Cavan has been, making their integration not only smooth, but meaningful. Their stories remind us that home isn’t just where you end up — it’s what you build, share, and contribute.

Listen to the podcast - https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/my-journey-home/daniel-peeters-and-dmitry-rekun-267026

18/06/2025

From Broadband to Blues: New Beginnings in Cavan 🌍💻🎶
Sunday, 22nd June | 8–9pm | Shannonside FM Northern Sound FM

This Sunday evening, join us for a powerful episode of My Journey Home, where we explore how two newcomers from opposite ends of Europe found their place — and purpose — in County Cavan.

🌐 Daniel Peeters – Hailing from the Netherlands, Daniel arrived in Cavan in 2001. Now serving as Broadband Officer with Cavan County Council and Head of Cavan Connects, he’s at the forefront of digital inclusion, using technology to strengthen community ties and bridge the rural-urban divide.

🎷 Dmitry Rekun – A saxophonist and sound producer born in Chukotka, Russia and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, Dmitry moved to Belturbet in 2023. After 13 years touring Europe, he now fuses jazz, blues, hip-hop, and electronic music to bring fresh, global sounds to Irish stages.

🕗 Don’t miss “From Broadband to Blues” – this Sunday, 22nd June, from 8 to 9pm on Shannonside Northern Sound.

📻 Two stories, one county – and the many ways we call it home.