Malachi Cush returns with ‘Healing Sounds’ as 9/11 survivor opens new series on BBC Radio Ulster
Broadcaster and musician Malachi Cush returns with a new series of Healing Sounds on BBC Radio Ulster
Wednesday 16 September 2026
A powerful new series of ‘Healing Sounds’, presented by broadcaster and musician Malachi Cush, begins on BBC Radio Ulster tomorrow night with an hour-long programme marking 25 years since the 9/11 attacks.
The 12-part series will bring together deeply personal stories of grief, trauma, illness, loss and resilience, with guests choosing four songs that have helped carry them through some of the most difficult and defining periods of their lives.
9/11 survivor opens new series
The third series begins at 9pm on Thursday 17 September with retired NYPD Lieutenant Bill Cosgrove, who entered the World Trade Centre following the attacks on 11 September 2001 to help save lives.
Cosgrove recounts helping to carry the body of New York Fire Department chaplain Fr Mychal Judge, who was killed while ministering to victims and emergency personnel and was designated Fatality 0001 by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of New York City.
Twenty-five years later, Cosgrove speaks about survivor’s guilt and trauma and says the “hurt is always there”. He tells Cush the anniversary still brings tears to his eyes and reveals that, “for whatever reason”, he has never visited the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan.
Through the music that has accompanied him, he reflects on grief, faith, kindness and the hope he found in the years that followed.
Stories of loss and resilience
The series will continue with guests including country singer Lisa McHugh, Tyrone athlete Nick Griggs, Project Children founder Denis Mulcahy, Northern Ireland artist Jacqueline Rooney, Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan and singer Andrea Begley.
Later in the series, retired television cameraman Eugene McVeigh will speak publicly about his younger brother Columba, who was abducted and killed by the IRA in 1975 and whose remains have never been recovered.
McVeigh says senior figures have met him to say they were “sorry” about his brother’s disappearance, but says 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”.
The programme will explore the anguish experienced by a family denied a grave for more than half a century, as well as Eugene’s memories of his brother, his faith and his continuing hope that Columba will finally be brought home.
Malachi Cush on Healing Sounds
Speaking about the new series, Cush said:
“‘Healing Sounds’ is 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.
“I’m 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. I believe the audience will be shocked, entertained, saddened, uplifted, surprised and will empathise with or relate to the stories being told.
“While every guest has a standout story of heartache to share and every episode is emotionally charged, I want the series to give the listeners an overarching sense of hope from the resilience of my guests.”
Lisa McHugh discusses serious health challenges
On Thursday 24 September, country singer Lisa McHugh will discuss the serious health challenges which turned her life upside down, including living with Functional Neurological Disorder, trigeminal neuralgia and sepsis.
She reflects on hospitalisation, motherhood and her recovery, while explaining how illness changed her priorities and deepened her appreciation of family, music and everyday life.
A week later, on 1 October, Tyrone athlete Nick Griggs will speak about the devastating loss of his brother Josh and the role running played as he pursued success on the European and world stage. He will also discuss the inspiration behind Camp Joshua and his determination to carry his brother’s memory forward.
Project Children story remembered
On 8 October, Cork-born former NYPD officer Denis Mulcahy will recount his journey from a modest childhood to bomb-disposal work in New York and the creation of Project Children.
The initiative went on to provide more than 23,000 Catholic and Protestant children with respite from the Troubles through stays with American host families.
Artist Jacqueline Rooney follows on 15 October, speaking about the breast cancer diagnosis that changed her life, her decision to step away from teaching and the development of a new career as an artist while undergoing experimental medical therapies.
Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan joins Cush on 22 October for a conversation about family, songwriting and the death of his son Shayne, exploring the memories that sustain him and the role music can play when words alone are not enough.
Andrea Begley and Eugene McVeigh among later guests
Singer Andrea Begley features on 29 October, reflecting on living with glaucoma and around 10 per cent vision, juvenile arthritis and undergoing more than 20 operations. She discusses the people and music that sustained her as her sight deteriorated and how finding her voice opened new opportunities.
Eugene McVeigh’s programme follows on 5 November, before Colin Bell joins Cush on 12 November to tell the story of his son Kevin, whose sudden death in New York ultimately led to the establishment of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
Bell will recall the kindness which helped his family bring Kevin home and how that experience inspired a charity which now provides practical assistance to bereaved families across Ireland.
Other guests announced for the 12-part series include singer Janet Devlin and Fr John Joe Duffy from Creeslough.
When and where to listen
‘Healing Sounds’ begins with the Bill Cosgrove 9/11 special on BBC Radio Ulster at 9pm on Thursday 17 September. The series will continue on Thursday evenings and will also be available on BBC Sounds.
