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Science Tales looks to bridge the gap between science and our everyday lives, by telling stories that people can relate to. The content spread across the channel will include local environmental and scientific topics of interest which in one way or another affect all our lives. Following on from the success of The Elements of Clare podcast series, I went on the road to meet some really interesting people and learn more about how actions they were taking at a local level can have an impact at a much bigger scale.The result of these conversations was two audio documentaries, The Story of Hometree...so far and Burren Winterage: Looking to the Past to Protect the Future. Then in 2022, I was fortunate enough to travel to Svalbard in the Arctic and look at how the work scientists carry out there will be crucial as we look to predict the future impact of climate change. While in Svalbard, I was struck by the presence of The Global Seed Vault. From the outside, the vault looks to be simply a doorway into the mountain. But under the snow and ice is so much more. During my time in Svalbard it was suggested to me that instead of asking people about the seed vault, why not investigate what Ireland has deposited and why these seeds were selected. This idea resulted in me broadening out the question to ask how are we in Ireland doing at securing our plant and crop genetic diversity for future generations. A published article and 12 interviews later, this story will finally make its way into podcast form with a multipart audio documentary in Summer 2024. I am always looking for new ideas and stories to investigate, so if you have a story or a topic you think would make a good audio documentary, let me know.
Episodes
Saturday Dec 07, 2024
Saturday Dec 07, 2024
Biodiversity is being lost at a faster rate than any other time in human history. One aspect of this decline which can often be overlooked is the impact it has on global seed diversity, 75% of which has been lost since the beginning of the 20th century.
Having visited the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, it was put to me; why dont you find out what your own country has deposited. So, I went and did just that.
In this 2-part series I look at how groups across Ireland are saving seeds, and how through research, seeds from the past may offer hope for the future.
In part 2 I speak to Dr. Michelle Murray and Dr. Steve Waldren from Trinity College Botanic Garden, Dr. Colin Kelleher from The National Botanic Garden of Ireland at Glasnevin, Dr. Susanne Barth of Teagasc, Dr. Cathal McCabe from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and Dr. Sonia Negrao from the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science.
Music Credits (In order of appearance)
Spring Forest by Lowtone Music, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Alone by Crowander, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Fire Tree (Violin Version) by Axletree, CC BY 4.0
Revival by Lowtone Music, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Who Would Have Thought by Crowander, CC BY-NC 4.0
Tunnels by Montana Skies, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US
This podcast was written, narrated and produced by Eoin Murphy for non-commercial purposes.
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Biodiversity is being lost at a faster rate than any other time in human history. One aspect of this decline which can often be overlooked is the impact it has on global seed diversity, 75% of which has been lost since the beginning of the 20th century.
Having visited the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, it was put to me; why dont you find out what your own country has deposited. So, I went and did just that.
In this 2-part series I look at how groups across Ireland are saving seeds, and how through research, seeds from the past may offer hope for the future.
In part 1, I speak to Jason Horner, Anita Hayes, Deirdre Morrissey, Jeremy Turkington and Rachel Doolin.
Music Credits (In order of appearance)
Thoughtful by Lee Rosevere, CC BY 4.0
Swarm of Birds by Lobo Loco, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Spring Forest by Lowtone Music, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Bonaparte's Retreat by Shake That Little Foot, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Tunnels by Montana Skies, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US
This podcast was written, narrated and produced by Eoin Murphy for non-commercial purposes.
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
The theme selected for the 2024 Mary Mulvihill Media Award was Intelligence. In this podcast I take an in depth look at the journey the scientific world has been on to reach this point. Investigating the areas of human, animal, microbial and plant intelligence, I piece together the key research findings to date. Then, considering our rapidly changing world, I focus on the area of AI, Artificial Intelligence.
Music Credits
The Prima Donna by Victor Herbert Orchestra, Public Domain Mark 1.0 Licence
Monolithes by Lobo Loco, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 DEED
Old Forest Lodge 1 by Lobo Loco, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 DEED
Spiral Galaxy by Serge Quadrado, CC BY-NC 4.0 DEED
Image Credit
Intelligence by Nick Youngson, CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free
This podcast was written, narrated and produced by Eoin Murphy for non commercial purposes.
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Monday Mar 06, 2023
The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is located between 74 and 81 degrees northern latitude. For decades it has acted as a crucial location for climate scientists and for those carrying out Arctic research. With recent data suggesting that the Arctic has been warming four times faster than the rest of the world, the research which takes place in Svalbard is becoming more important than ever.
I travelled to Svalbard to see first hand what the consequences of warming temperatures were having on this region. One of the people who I spoke to while there was Thorbjorn Gilberg of the Svalbard Science Forum. Thorbjorn explained to me how someone goes about carrying out research in the Arctic, the funding options which exist and what the future may hold for research in Svalbard.
Music Credits
Intro and outro track: Protective Spirits by Ketsa, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/growth/protective-spirits/, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
Farmers in the Burren have been moving their cattle onto 'Winterage' pastures for thousands of years. Over the past decade The Burren Winterage Weekend has been established to celebrate this practice and everything about it. But the journey hasn't been without some bumps along the way. In this audio documentary I speak to an archaeologist, an ecologist and a number of farmers, all of whom have a deep understanding of how important this practice is to the Burren.
At a time where biodiversity loss in Ireland is occurring at a frightening rate, the practice of Burren Winterage offers hope for the future. It shows that farming, when carried out in a certain way can protect the environment and preserve biodiversity within the Burren. Central to these activities being maintained are farmers and their cattle. This is the story of the Burren Winterage and those who are ensuring it continues.
Speakers
Michael Davoren
Aoife Forde
Patrick McCormack
Elaine Lynch
Brendan Dunford
Music Credits
Intro and Outro Track: Yorgan by Circus Marcus, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/CIRCUSMARCUS/single/Yorgan/, CC-BY-NC 4.0
Sunday Aug 28, 2022
Sunday Aug 28, 2022
Hometree is a woodland creation charity based in Ennistymon, Co. Clare. This is the story of how they grew from a community garden project into a charity hosting international experts on conservation at their summer school and where they hope to go in the future.
Music Credits (in order of appearance)
Sirens (Ebanie Powell and Ruth Pinson)
The Living Things
Siomha performing Speir rua
https://www.hometree.ie/
Thursday Jan 06, 2022
Thursday Jan 06, 2022
Black Market Oxygen- The Peru Project was the winner of the Mary Mulvihill Award in 2021. The piece examines the contrasting situations in Ireland and Peru in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. As the issue of global vaccine inequity comes under more focus in 2022, it may become clearer to listeners why I felt this was a story people should hear.
Photo Credit: CNN
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Episode 4 of The Elements of Clare podcast series examines the people of Clare and how they are trying to find ways to make the county a better place for everyone. I speak to Margaret Cotter, Cllr Joe Garrihy, Cllr Cillian Murphy, Liz Greehy and Ailish Connolly about a range of issues, including remote working, reversing population decline and running a successful business in rural Ireland.
Music Credits
Intro and Outro Track: Who Would Have Thought by Crowander, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/bittersweet-endings-indiefilm-tv-music/who-would-have-thought, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Track 1: Azul by Mr. Smith, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/acoustic-guitars/azul, CC BY 4.0
Track 2: I Used to Wonder by Scott Gratton, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Gratton/progress-and-regress/i-used-to-wonder-1, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Track 3: So Long Succour by Doctor Turtle, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Doctor_Turtle/5f91e09024ca8/so-long-succour, CC BY 4.0
Sunday Nov 28, 2021
Sunday Nov 28, 2021
Episode 3 of The Elements of Clare podcast series examines the topic of air. I speak to John Aston, Eugene McAuley and Carsten Krieger about a range of issues, including renewable energy, off shore wind farms and the wildlife of Loop Head.
Music Credits
Intro and Outro Track: Who Would Have Thought by Crowander, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/bittersweet-endings-indiefilm-tv-music/who-would-have-thought, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Track 1: Spirit of Freedom by Lobo Loco, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lobo_Loco/new-spirit-new-world/spirit-of-freedom-id-1430mp3, CC BY-NC 4.0
Track 2: The Same by Bus Window, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/bus-window/flying-high/the-same, CC BY-NC 4.0
Track 3: Early Flight by One Man Book, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/one-man-book/ghosts-echoes/early-flight, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Saturday Nov 20, 2021
Saturday Nov 20, 2021
Episode 2 of The Elements of Clare podcast series examines the topic of land. I speak to Dr. Brendan Dunford, Ray O' Foghlu (Ray Foley) and Kevin Heapes about a range of issues, including biodiversity, native ancient forests and the setting up of an eco campsite.
Music Credits
Intro and Outro Track: Who Would Have Thought by Crowander, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/bittersweet-endings-indiefilm-tv-music/who-would-have-thought, CC BY-NC 4.0
Track 1: Green Fields by Scott Holmes Music, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Music_for_TV__Film/Green_Fields, CC BY-NC 4.0
Track 2: Until The End by One Man Book, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/one-man-book/ghosts-echoes/until-the-end, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Track 3: Gazing by Andy G. Cohen, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Andy_G_Cohen/prisma/gazing, CC BY 4.0