Colm O'Gorman (UNICEF Ireland): Episode 111

The story of the executive director of Amnesty International in Ireland and former Senator, Colm O'Gorman is incredibly powerful, heartbreaking and enthralling. In this very special episode of An Irishman Abroad he speaks candidly about leaving home without a penny and living on the streets before finally moving to London. 

Jarlath asks him about how repressive Ireland was in the early 1980s, why he felt blaming himself was the best coping strategy for the things that happened to him, how taking an unusual job in London changed his life and how he became close to his father for the first time in the final year of his life.

Colm also speaks passionately about why the concept of 'perfect family' is non-existent, finding salvation in London's LGBT community, the immense challenges facing Amnesty International, the raw emotion he felt throughout the Marriage Referendum, his eye-opening recent visit to Lebanon and much, much more.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: All materials contained within this podcast are copyright protected. Third party reuse and/or quotation in whole or in part is prohibited unless direct credit and/or hyperlink to the Irishman Abroad podcast is clearly and accurately provided.