Would You Believe returns to our screens this February for a new series containing six programmes. The insightful factual programming series continues to offer revealing glimpses into the ordinary lives of extraordinary people.
The new series includes programmes about Kari Lowe, a woman who was born under the Nazi Lebensborn programme. Would You Believe will also meet John Curran, from Waterville in Co. Kerry who is quadriplegic following an accident 30 years ago, in which he fell from a roof while repairing a neighbour’s house. The team will also interview John Casey who was a high flying chef working in London before unexpectedly developing a brain tumour. John returned to his native Kerry where he educates the local bachelor farmers about nutrition and cooking.
Programme 1: John O’ Donohue
This week’s programme focuses on poet, priest, thinker and spiritual guide, the late John O’ Donohue.
O’ Donohue was the author of several books including the best selling Anam Cara, Eternal Echoes and Beauty. He died suddenly while holidaying in the South of France last month. He was aged 52.
Born into a farming family in Co. Clare, John studied to become a priest at Maynooth where he studied for a degree in English literature and Philosophy. He was awarded a PhD in philosophical theology from the University of Tubingen in Germany in 1990.
The programme will feature vignettes of his writings from people who knew and loved him; his partner Kristine, his brother Pat, his sister Mary, his anam chara Martin Downey, his friends Michael D Higgins and Lelia Doolen and his old bishop Eamonn Casey. It will also include John’s opinions on his own role in the church, his priesthood, church leadership and belief.
This tribute programme is told through his own words and reflects on the impact he made through his writings and radio broadcasts. He seemed to fill the gap for people who were seeking spiritual guidance when they could not find it in their Churches. Although he died tragically, he is still inspiring, controversial and hypnotic.