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A new series of BBC Radio Ulster's Healing Sounds will open with a 9/11 anniversary special featuring a retired NYPD lieutenant who helped carry a chaplain to safety on the day of the attacks. The 12-part series, presented by broadcaster and musician Malachi Cush, explores grief, trauma, illness, loss, resilience and hope through the songs that have shaped the lives of his guests.
The third series launches on BBC Radio Ulster at 9.00pm on Thursday 17 September and will also be available on BBC Sounds. Among those featured is Colin Bell, founder of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, who joins Cush to share the song choices that have shaped his own life experiences.
On 12 November Bell shares the story of his son Kevin, whose sudden death in New York changed his family’s life forever. He recalls the extraordinary kindness that helped bring Kevin home and how that compassion inspired the creation of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
The opening episode on 17 September, marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, features survivor and retired NYPD Lieutenant Bill Cosgrove, who recounts entering the World Trade Centre to help save lives. Cosgrove believes he is alive today because he helped carry NYFD Chaplain Fr Mychal Judge, one of the first official fatalities of that day's attacks, out to a "safe haven". He speaks about how 9/11 changed his life and how, 25 years on, the "hurt is always there", admitting the anniversary brings tears to his eyes, though he has "for whatever reason" never visited the memorial in Manhattan.
Another episode features Eugene McVeigh, brother of Columba McVeigh, who says that while senior figures met him to say they were "sorry" about his brother's disappearance, forgiveness is not in his "gift" as he is "not the ultimate judge or the person who forgives" but "the person who can be consoled by other people".
Speaking about the series, Malachi Cush said it was "a deeply personal series of conversations in which my guests share extraordinary life experiences and reveal the music that has helped them through some of their darkest and most defining moments". He added that he was "privileged and humbled by the truly remarkable line-up of guests I have secured for this series and how they have so openly shared recollections of why each of their four song choices mean so much to them". Cush said he believed the audience would be "shocked, entertained, saddened, uplifted, surprised and will empathise with or relate to the stories being told", and that while every guest has a standout story of heartache to share and every episode is emotionally charged, he wanted the series to give listeners an overarching sense of hope from the resilience of his guests.
Other guests joining Cush and Colin Bell on the series include singer Andrea Begley, singer Janet Devlin, Fr John Joe Duffy from Creeslough, Tyrone athlete Nick Griggs, Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, country singer Lisa McHugh, former NYPD officer Denis Mulcahy, and artist Jacqueline Rooney.
Through music, memory and honest conversation, Healing Sounds explores how songs can provide comfort, preserve memories, express emotions and help people find a way forward. The series begins on BBC Radio Ulster at 9.00pm on Thursday 17 September and on BBC Sounds.
Healing Sounds
17 September at 9.00pm: Bill Cosgrove 9/11 Special
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, retired NYPD Lieutenant Bill Cosgrove shares his story. He tells Malachi Cush of entering the World Trade Centre, helping to carry the lifeless body of Father Mychal Judge from the devastation, and living with survivor’s guilt and trauma. Through the music that has accompanied him, Bill reflects on grief, faith, kindness and the hope in the years that followed.
24 September at 9.00pm: Lisa McHugh
In her most candid interview yet, country singer Lisa McHugh opens up to Malachi Cush about the serious health challenges that turned her life upside down. She reflects on living with Functional Neurological Disorder, trigeminal neuralgia and sepsis, the strain of hospitalisation and motherhood, and the difficult road towards recovery. Through four personally chosen songs, Lisa reveals how illness reshaped her priorities and deepened her appreciation of family, music and everyday life.
1 October at 9.00pm: Nick Griggs
One of Ireland’s brightest young athletes, Nick Griggs speaks movingly to Malachi Cush about growing up in Tyrone and the devastating loss of his brother Josh. He reflects on grief, family and the role running played as he pursued success on the European and world stage. Through the songs that hold special meaning for him, Nick also shares the inspiration behind Camp Joshua and his determination to carry his brother’s memory into a hopeful future.
8 October at 9.00pm: Denis Mulcahy
From a modest childhood in Cork to bomb-disposal work with the NYPD, Denis Mulcahy’s remarkable life has been shaped by courage and compassion. He speaks to Malachi Cush about how Project Children began and grew to offer more than 23,000 Catholic and Protestant children respite from the Troubles with American host families. Through cherished songs and powerful memories, Denis reflects on loss, faith and the ordinary people who helped build a lasting legacy of peace.
15 October at 9.00pm: Jacqueline Rooney
Northern Irish artist Jacqueline Rooney speaks candidly to Malachi Cush about the breast cancer diagnosis that changed the course of her life. She reflects on stepping away from teaching, embracing her creative calling, and building a new career as an artist while undergoing experimental medical therapies she hopes will help others. Through four meaningful songs, Jacqueline shares a story of family, courage and finding colour and possibility after uncertainty.
22 October at 9.00pm: Charlie McGettigan
Eurovision winner and singer-songwriter Charlie McGettigan joins Malachi for an intimate conversation about family, songwriting and the tragic loss of his son Shayne. With honesty and warmth, Charlie reflects on the memories that sustain him and on music’s ability to hold emotions that words alone cannot express. His four chosen songs open a tender conversation about enduring love, creativity and learning to live alongside grief.
29 October at 9.00pm: Andrea Begley
Singer Andrea Begley joins Malachi Cush to reflect on a life shaped by music, determination and extraordinary resilience. Living with glaucoma and around ten per cent vision, as well as juvenile arthritis and more than 20 operations, Andrea refused to let adversity define her future. Through four treasured songs, she recalls the experiences and people who sustained her as her sight failed, and shares how finding her voice opened doors she once could scarcely have imagined.
5 November at 9.00pm: Eugene McVeigh
Retired television cameraman Eugene McVeigh speaks, for the first time, about his younger brother Columba, abducted and killed in 1975 and still one of the Disappeared. He reflects on the anguish of a family denied a grave, the long search for answers and the memories that keep Columba close. Through four deeply personal songs, Eugene considers the futility of violence, the strength of faith and his enduring hope that his brother will finally be brought home.
12 November at 9.00pm: Colin Bell
Colin Bell joins Malachi Cush to share the story of his son Kevin, whose sudden death in New York changed his family’s life forever. He recalls the extraordinary kindness that helped bring Kevin home and how that compassion inspired the creation of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Through four personally chosen songs, Colin reflects on grief, family, faith and the remarkable legacy of a much-loved son whose name now brings comfort and practical help to bereaved families across Ireland.
