Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Author and screenwriter Alan Carrigan joins Ireland AM to discuss his debut novel Then We’ll Be Happy, which follows 17-year-old Sam, a student with cerebral palsy who campaigns for an accessible bus after being excluded from a school trip.
Alan explains why he wanted to use humour and fiction to explore disability, the importance of seeing disabled people as people first, and why better representation in books, television and film matters.
He also reflects on his own experiences growing up with cerebral palsy, challenging perceptions around disability and his hopes to continue writing books and scripts.
Broadcast on 13/08/2026
Subscribe to Ireland AM for more exclusive videos: bit.ly/4cZifj3
FOLLOW US:
facebook.com/IrelandAMVMTV
instagram.com/irelandamvmtv
tiktok.com/@irelandamvmtv
MORE ABOUT IRELAND AM:
Welcome to the official Ireland AM Channel! We are Ireland's biggest breakfast show live weekdays from 7am-10am & weekends from 9am-12pm on Virgin Media Play & Virgin Media One. Join us as we explore various news topics of interests while guests open up for interviews that cover a multitude of subjects such as politics, food and human interest!
#IrelandAM #AlanCarrigan #ThenWellBeHappy #DisabilityRepresentation #CerebralPalsy #IrishAuthors
Author and screenwriter Alan Carrigan joins Ireland AM to discuss his debut novel Then We’ll Be Happy, which follows 17-year-old Sam, a student with cerebral palsy who campaigns for an accessible bus after being excluded from a school trip.
Alan explains why he wanted to use humour and fiction to explore disability, the importance of seeing disabled people as people first, and why better representation in books, television and film matters.
He also reflects on his own experiences growing up with cerebral palsy, challenging perceptions around disability and his hopes to continue writing books and scripts.
Broadcast on 13/08/2026
Subscribe to Ireland AM for more exclusive videos: bit.ly/4cZifj3
FOLLOW US:
facebook.com/IrelandAMVMTV
instagram.com/irelandamvmtv
tiktok.com/@irelandamvmtv
MORE ABOUT IRELAND AM:
Welcome to the official Ireland AM Channel! We are Ireland's biggest breakfast show live weekdays from 7am-10am & weekends from 9am-12pm on Virgin Media Play & Virgin Media One. Join us as we explore various news topics of interests while guests open up for interviews that cover a multitude of subjects such as politics, food and human interest!
#IrelandAM #AlanCarrigan #ThenWellBeHappy #DisabilityRepresentation #CerebralPalsy #IrishAuthors
