Throughout my life, friends and family have always said “Get Éibha to tell it”, whenever there’s a story to be told. So, when deciding what to study in university, I asked myself, “when do I feel most like me?” The answer was obvious, when I’m telling a story. Journalism not only gives me the opportunity to tell my own stories, but also to tell other people’s . After filming my documentary ‘The Ratoath Rockets’ a parent involved in The Rockets sent me a message. She thanked me for “giving her son a voice” That sentence alone is why we do what we do, and what I hope to continue to do throughout my career. My parents installed the belief in me that I would be whatever I wanted to be. The people I have met during my time in TU Dublin have provided me with a set of skills to match that belief.
The Ratoath Rockets
When given the opportunity to make a documentary, I knew I wanted to tell a story that meant something to people. The Rockets means so much to so many, I knew it was a story worth telling. The Rockets is a team within Ratoath GAA club, for children with additional needs. It was set up by a local man, Pat Daly, in memory of his late son Cathal. Pat noticed a lack of facilities for children with additional needs and decided there needed to be a place for them, within their club. Pat dedicated the cause to Cathal, to give back to the common good in his memory. This story has some truly heartbreaking elements, but at it’s core it is an inspirational one. A true example of community and inclusivity, and what can be done if we simply notice those around us.
