Cork radio soap voiced by older people now online

A radio soap opera, written, developed and voiced by older people from across Cork county, is now available online following a successful run on community radio.

The soap, entitled The Estate, was funded by Cork County Council and Creative Ireland, and facilitated by writer, director and producer Katie Holly.

It was written and recorded by 10 participants from Carrigaline, Fermoy, Baile Bhuirne, the Beara Peninsula, Blarney, Kinsale, Ballyhea and Charleville.

The participants, who range in age from 55 to 75, were invited to take part in the project through the Muintir na Tíre Cultural Companions programme, open calls in Cork county libraries, and Age Action groups.

The Estate follows the challenges of the fictional Dillon family, as they struggle the throes of change and disruption.

Widowed matriarch Lily is failing physically and mentally, and her adult children Barbara, Mags, Molly, Sean and James struggle to find a way to care for her, while still serving their own desires.

The core aim of the project was to platform older people’s voices and life experiences to their peers and the wider community.

To achieve this, the participants, who had never made a radio soap opera before, met weekly with Katie Holly in Cork County Hall, and explored different aspects of storytelling through the radio soap opera format, while devising and developing ideas for their own series.

Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Joe Carroll, applauded the participants, saying developing a new skill can be daunting, and he commended their dedication.

“The Estate is a heartfelt and often times humorous portrayal of family dynamics and retaining autonomy while living with dementia,” Mr Carroll said.

The Estate has been broadcast on CUH FM and on Bere Island Community Radio and is now available on Cork County Council’s SoundCloud channel.