What happens when the person you thought you would grow old with is suddenly gone?

In this episode, Catriona Brennan, Samantha Byrne and Fiona McCluskey share their experiences of becoming widowed at a young age.

Catriona lost her partner Timothy Lynch Junior, on November 22nd, 2025. Samantha lost the love of her life Seán Feeney on September 3rd, 2023. Fiona lost her husband Stephen on April 24th, 2021.

They speak about the shock of sudden loss, the days and weeks that followed, raising children through grief, the things they still miss most and the reality of trying to build a life around an absence that never really goes away.

They also discuss the support available to young widows, the things people say with the best intentions that can sometimes hurt, and the connection that comes from meeting someone who truly understands what you have been through.

A raw, honest and important conversation about love, loss, grief and life afterwards.

Thank you to Catriona, Samantha and Fiona for sharing their stories, and for keeping the memories of Tim, Seán and Stephen at the heart of this conversation.

🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.

This week, I’m joined by one of Ireland’s best-known content creators, Caoimhe McGinley.

Many will know Caoimhe from The Big Hill House, but behind the beautiful home and social media posts is a story of heartbreak, resilience and rebuilding.

In this honest conversation, Caoimhe opens up about the breakdown of her marriage, navigating such a difficult time in the public eye, raising her four children, and the devastating loss of a baby through miscarriage at almost 17 weeks pregnant.

For the first time publicly, she also speaks about a defamation case that she says became one of the lowest points of her life, how it affected her personally and professionally, and why she has chosen to tell her story now.

This is a conversation about heartbreak, hope and proving that, no matter what life throws at you, you can come back stronger.

If you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland.

Visit adhdnow.com to learn more.

After an incredible 14 months and almost 1.2 million Spotify streams, I’m taking a short summer break from the podcast.

Thank you to every guest and listener who has supported the podcast, and a huge thank you to ADHD Now and GoLoud for making it all possible.

I’ll still be recording during the break, so this is not goodbye. I’ll be back with a bang!

The podcast is back after the summer break, and we’re returning with an episode that has quite a story behind it.

Eleanor has been here before. Her original episode went live a few months ago, but shortly afterwards, it disappeared.

A lot of people noticed. A lot of people asked why.

In this episode, we explain what happened.

For those who don’t know Eleanor, you may know her for the funny videos, positivity and big personality. But behind the humour is a story of survival.

Eleanor is a mum of three who has spoken openly about domestic abuse, violence, fear and trying to protect her children while rebuilding her own life.

Her story is raw and difficult at times, but ultimately it is about survival, rebuilding and finding your way back to yourself.

Eleanor is back, and this time we’re telling the full story.

🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. Visit adhdnow.com.

If you are affected by anything discussed in this episode:

Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline: 1800 341 900

Men’s Aid Ireland: 01 554 3811

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or 112.

Welcome to Comeback Confidential, the bonus series of The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy, where anonymous listener stories are shared in a safe and supportive space.

In this episode, Brenda is joined by Psychotherapist Lauren Golden to explore powerful stories submitted by listeners.

Together, they discuss the realities of love bombing, domestic abuse, and the heartbreaking impact addiction can have on families.

We also hear from one listener whose sibling has lived with addiction for decades. She shares the emotional toll of loving someone you can't save, the fear her elderly parents live with every day, and the lifelong impact addiction has had on her entire family.

Together, Brenda and Lauren unpack the complexities behind these stories, offering insight, compassion, and hope to anyone who may see themselves in them.

A raw and honest conversation about the realities so many people live with behind closed doors.

🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.

If you'd like to share your story anonymously, email thecomebackwithbrenda@gmail.com.

What happens when years of bullying, shame and addiction convince you that you're not worthy of being yourself?

In this episode, Humphrey O'Driscoll shares his remarkable journey of growing up gay in Carrigaline, the relentless bullying he endured, and how alcohol and cocaine became his way of escaping the pain.

He opens up about losing the love of his life to addiction, hitting rock bottom, and the moment he chose recovery over a life that was destroying him.

Today, Humphrey is sober, comfortable in his own skin, and determined to help others know that there is hope.

This is a powerful conversation about identity, addiction, recovery and self-acceptance.

If this story resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit that subscribe button, it really helps.

🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.

Lisa O'Sullivan Shaw's life has been anything but ordinary.

Born with a heart condition, she underwent open heart surgery as a baby before growing up to become Miss Universe Ireland. But behind the glamour were years of relentless bullying, a life changing health battle, and the fear of facing open heart surgery again while raising four young boys.

In this episode of Lisa shares the moments that shaped her, the lessons she's learned, and why she no longer lets other people's opinions define her.

A powerful conversation about resilience, motherhood, and finding strength through life's toughest moments.

If this story resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit that subscribe button, it really helps.

🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.

James O'Connor kissed his family goodbye and headed off on what was meant to be the adventure of a lifetime, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to celebrate his 40th birthday in December 2023.

He never came home.

Just 100 metres from the summit, James passed away, leaving behind his wife Grace and their three young children.

In one of the most emotional conversation Grace opens up about the moment she received the phone call that changed her life forever, the unbearable pain of losing the love of her life, and the reality of becoming a widow at just 35 years old.

This is a heartbreaking story of love, loss, grief and survival, but it is also a story of courage, resilience and a mother's determination to keep going for her children when her world fell apart.

If this story resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit that subscribe button, it really helps.

🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.