Miriam Meets... Michael Harding and Cathy Carman

This week Miriam O'Callaghan interviews writer Michael Harding and his wife, the sculptor Cathy Carman.

The describe their meeting at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig and their subsequent courtship and marriage. Michael was a priest at that time and his meeting with Cathy happened as he was contemplating his resignation from the priesthood.

Cathy is from Port Laoise and she describes growing up there and the difference a teacher called Mary Russell made to her life in encouraging her talent in art. She studied at NCAD where she discovered sculpture.

Michael knew he wanted to be a writer from the time he was a young boy. He credits Cathy with introducing him to a circle of artists who gave him the confidence to pursue a creative life.

They reflect on Michael's decision to chronicle his life in the Midlands and Cathy's appearances in his column.

They tell Miriam of their differing experiences of depression and Michael explains how important Cathy was to his coping with a particularly difficult episode of depression.

They chose Mary McPartlan Rainy Night in Soho

Nancy Griffith If I Had A Hammer

Eleanor Shanley Hard Times