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In 2022, via the @IrishExaminer, I've been lucky enough to pursue my grá for the chats on a full-time basis.

From Ireland's neurodivergent community, its DIY arts scenes and the Irish language; to astronauts, particle physicists and gosh-dang, mother-heckin' Super Mario.

A (long) thread follows.

Started the year off with chats with two of the crew behind Belfast music-streaming start-up Minm - talking about the ideas and tech behind building a platform for Irish artists, and paying them fairly for their music.

irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar

Irishexaminer.comIrish start-up Minm provides an alternative streaming music modelBy Mike McGrath-Bryan 

A year to the weekend of my initial diagnosis, I shared my experiences - discussing assessment, changing understandings, and post-diagnostic ups and downs.

I've since added some resources, and links to others' stories.

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Irishexaminer.comI was diagnosed with autism a year ago - this is what I have learnedBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

The pursuit of Weird Ireland is eternal, and while TikTok's CaptainBusyBollocks most certainly leans into its kitschier elements for a wider audience, I definitely vibed with the specificity of a lad getting stuck into woodturning.

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Irishexaminer.comGoing with the grain: meet the Cork woodworker with 430k followers on TikTokBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

I did one or two bits for ieFood this year, but a longform chat with Cork vegan outpost My Goodness about post-Covid strife and rebuilding, vegan mac 'n' cheese and anarcho-syndicalism is a personal fave.

irishexaminer.com/food/arid-40

Irishexaminer.comTaste the Nation: My Goodness is changing the game for vegan food in Cork CityBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

I've made various efforts to cover in the paper and website following my own disclosure, including interviews, short pieces and more practical bits - this one on supports at Ireland's airports is part one of an ND travel guide.

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Irishexaminer.comNeurodivergent travel: A guide to supports and programmes at Irish airportsBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

Skip forward to the 100th anniversary of , where Mallow sound-artist and performance-art trailblazer Danny McCarthy marked the occasion with an installation inspired by the book's references to chamber-pots.

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Irishexaminer.comChamber Music: Bloomsday sound-art piece riffs on Ulysses' urination referencesBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

Following her entry and competition in this year's Dublin Rose proceedings, film-maker Caoilinn Handley talked about challenging normative beauty standards, and doing her bit to open up the wider conversation.

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Irishexaminer.comOne autistic woman describes her experience competing to be the Dublin Rose

Went to see Sharon Van Etten with friends, and it was exactly what we all needed after the few years prior - an incredible show.

Majia Sofia took to the Opera House stage like it was made for her, too.

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Irishexaminer.comSharon Van Etten at Cork Opera House review: Celebratory gig with an emotional punch By Mike McGrath-Bryan

My long-suppressed inner Nirvana fanboy was in a right state after speaking with cellist Lori Goldston before her Irish tour - here, she discusses playing the legendary Unplugged show, visiting Cork with Earth, and working with David Byrne.

irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar

Irishexaminer.comLori Goldston: American cellist on playing with Nirvana and David ByrneBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

Part two of the aforementioned neurodivergent travel guide included a chat about holiday planning with Thriving Autistic head of training Claire O'Neill, and a packing checklist courtesy of the wonderful AilsDHD - more on whom later.

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Irishexaminer.comNeurodivergent travel: Advice and supports for holidays and transportBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

A dream-come-true moment in July, as I got to hang out on Zoom with Charles Martinet ahead of his Dublin Comic-Con appearance - he talks about lucking into the audition for the voice of Super Mario in 1991, and being the voice of a generation's childhood in the decades that followed.

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Irishexaminer.com'It's-a me!': The voice of Super Mario comes to DublinBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

Sara Prodoni and her son Ruben experienced joy and new opportunities thanks to the work of Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland and their new family member Indi - she talks about their experiences and the importance of their assistance.

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Irishexaminer.com'It was magic:' Cork's canine companions opening doors for neurodivergent childrenBy Mike McGrath Bryan

A story and service that should have a lot more ears on them in the new year - speaking with David Redmond about his work on NCBI Live, an online radio service for the visually impaired.

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Irishexaminer.com'Endless potential': Ireland's first dedicated radio station launches for visually impaired listenersBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

Got to speak with Paolo Viscardi of Dublin's 'Dead Zoo' about the process of moving thousands of natural specimens into storage, renovating the Natural History Museum, sharing space with RTÉ cameras, and its reopening in September.

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Irishexaminer.comWaking up the dead: Much-loved ‘Dead Zoo’ is back following revampBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

The bauld Simple Kid made his return this year, with a third long-player written and recorded in the attic of his family's home in the UK.

Following this chat, promoters got on his case about gigs, with a Whelan's date announced for Fri April 7!

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Irishexaminer.comSimple Kid: Cork musician makes welcome return with third album By Mike McGrath Bryan 

When the mind behind Shit London Guinness was back in Cork, ya boi caught up with him about emigration, running afoul of pub landlords, and exactly where in Cork one can find the best pint o' plain.

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Irishexaminer.comThe Corkman behind Beautiful Pints and Sh*t London GuinnessBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

Upon the announcement of Neighbours' short-lived cancellation earlier this year, I took it upon myself to quiz academics and journalists about the history, social role, and ongoing changes in the humble medium of soap opera.

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Irishexaminer.comHas the bubble burst for the soaps?By Mike McGrath-Bryan

Visitors on Spike Island can now use an augmented-reality app to see the historic facility's stories in context - from riots and Treaty discussions, to squalid conditions and child prisoners. I spoke with its developers.

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Irishexaminer.comA new app brings Spike Island's long and storied history to life on your smartphoneBy Mike McGrath-Bryan

Venturing into travel writing, myself and my partner posted up to the Boyne Valley, exploring Sonairte, Brú na Bóinne, the Trim Porchfields, and the River Boyne itself via canoe.

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Irishexaminer.comThe Boyne Valley: Steeped in history, looking ahead

Life has brought Ailín Kennedy along many paths: music, athletics, and animal sciences, as well as addiction and mental illness - but a diagnosis of set her on course to qualify as a coach, sharing her experiences with a growing audience.

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Irishexaminer.comAdult ADHD diagnosis: ‘I had to completely relearn who I was’By Mike McGrath-Bryan

Chats with Northern noisemakers Therapy? sprawled across two papers this year - in part one, frontman Andy Cairns talks about marking the band's anniversary two years late owing to Covid, getting back on the road, and the title and themes of their upcoming new album!

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Irishexaminer.comTherapy? at thirty: Better late than never with anniversary celebrations By Mike McGrath Bryan 

@mike_mcgb interesting article definitely many crossover points with my experience of an #adhd diagnosis.

@mike_mcgb The death of Scott brought the entire wrestling community to a standstill.

There will be no one like Scott ever again.