As part of my final year project in college, I produced a 22 minute radio documentary. ‘Shoes Fit For Dancing‘ tells the story of 87 year-old Michael Yeates. Michael has worked as a cobbler in Clontarf in Dublin since his teenage years, and retired just after Christmas 2009.
I spent a day with him in his shop, and listened to his tales of a bygone era. If you wish to listen to my documentary click here: Shoes Fit For Dancing
REVIEWS:
Irish Times, 18th July 2009 – “During the 1960s, Michael Yeates was running a shoe repair shop in Clontarf. Now 87, he is still a cobbler after 50 years. Natalia McCarthy’s gorgeous documentary, The Curious Ear: Shoes Fit For Dancing (RTÉ Radio One, Wednesday), is now online and full of classic song clips from yesteryear. “If you’re tired and weary, still journey on till you’ve come to your happy abode,” Yeates said, quoting lyrics from The End of the Road . “I’ve more feckin’ handbags here with people not coming back for them,” he added. He wasn’t quoting lyrics there, obviously.”
RTÉ Guide, July 2009 – “This summer series of The Curious Ear is made up of mix of the old and the new with programmes from up and coming radio producers as well as some of the best Curious Ears from the past few years. In Shoes Fit For Dancing Natalia McCarthy tells the story of 87-year old Michael Yeates who has run a shoe repair shop in Clontarf, Dublin for the past 50 years.”