iRadio's Groupchat

Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has brought renewed attention to Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, after revealing that her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were born with SMA Type 1. 

 She's now campaigning for the condition to be included in the UK's newborn heel prick screening programme.  

 Here in Ireland, that became a reality in April, with SMA added to the national newborn screening programme after years of campaigning by SMA Ireland. Joining me now is Jonathan O'Grady, who founded the organisation in 2019 after being diagnosed with SMA Type II  in 1982, to talk about how far treatment has come and what still needs to be done.  

Ever wonder what its like to be a reality tv star? We’re joined by someone who knows exactly what it’s like to have your every conversation, connection and awkward moment watched by millions.  

 Robyn Langton was one of this year’s youngest Love islanders, entering the villa at just 21. Outside of the show, she’s a quantity surveyor and DJ from Liverpool, but after weeks of sun, drama and romance, her life has changed quite a bit. 

The sun is shining, the long evenings are here, and suddenly everyone is looking at their bank account wondering... how can I actually get away this summer without spending a fortune?  

 Whether you’re planning a romantic break, a weekend away with friends, a family staycation, or just looking for an affordable escape, Ireland has plenty to offer -from scenic road trips and hidden gems to camping spots and adventure-filled getaways.  

 Travel journalist Melanie May joins me now 

If you're looking for your next great read, or you've been meaning to join a book club but never quite got around to it, our latest iRecommend might be just what you're after.  

 Content creator Eimear Geraghty recently shared a TikTok with a simple idea – creating a book club dedicated entirely to Irish books and Irish authors. Since moving to Inis Meáin, Eimear says she's been thinking more about the importance of community and connecting with people through shared hobbies.  

 She's now asking people what they'd like to see from an Irish book club, with a survey gathering ideas from readers across the country.  

If your social media feed has been full of wedding content this week, you're not alone.  

 From reports surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's hugely anticipated 4th of July  celebration in Madison Square Garden to the height of wedding season here in Ireland, weddings are very much in the spotlight.  

 But while celebrity weddings grab the headlines, the reality for most couples is balancing dream days with very real budgets.  So what are the biggest wedding trends in 2026? Are lavish celebrations back, or are couples keeping things smaller and more personal? And has the pressure around wedding gifts become greater than ever?  

 Joining us is Róisín Finan, founder of wedding planning company Clover Roe. Originally from Ireland and now based in Boston, Róisín has planned weddings on both sides of the Atlantic and has worked with couples celebrating in some of Ireland's most beautiful venues.  

Every Tuesday on iRadio's Groupchat, we shine a spotlight on inspiring Irish businesses, and this week we're chatting to someone who's proving age is just a number when it comes to entrepreneurship.  

  At just 16 years old, Cathal Sweeney from Mungret Community College in Limerick has invented the Glo Ball – a glow-in-the-dark sliotar designed to help hurlers train during dark winter evenings. The idea has already generated over €40,000 in sales in just four months and recently won the top prize at the Student Enterprise National Finals.    

Cosmetic treatments are more popular than ever, with more people choosing everything from non-surgical procedures like Botox and fillers to cosmetic surgery.  

 At the same time, the industry is changing. Clinics are seeing new trends emerge, influenced by everything from social media and changing beauty standards to the growing use of weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro.  

 One clinic that's been tracking these changes is Auralia. Dr Salman says his team has noticed some fascinating shifts in the types of procedures people are requesting, who's getting them, and what's driving those decisions.  

Burnout is a word we hear all the time, but do we actually know what it is? Is it just feeling stressed and exhausted, or is there something more happening in our brains? And what if what we think is burnout is actually something as simple as not getting enough quality sleep?  

 Joining us now is Liam Gildea, author and wellness speaker, to unpack the neuroscience behind burnout, explain the warning signs we shouldn't ignore, and share practical ways to protect our wellbeing and improve our performance through better sleep.  

Actor and writer Ali Hardiman is bringing her brand-new short film "That's So Feis" to this year's Galway Film Fleadh. Ali not only wrote the film but also stars in it as Gemma, a woman whose perfectly planned life is turned upside down when her fiancé leaves her. In an attempt to rebuild herself, she finds herself back in the world of Irish dancing, where she's reminded that sometimes the people with the biggest lessons to teach us are the youngest.  

As temperatures rise and many people head off on holidays, it's a good time to think about staying safe in the sun and managing the heat. While most of us know the basics of sunscreen and hydration, many people don't realise that certain mental health medications can affect how the body regulates temperature, increasing the risk of heat-related illness.  

 To help us understand what to watch out for and how to stay safe this summer, we're joined by Dr Brian Higgins from Galway Primary Care Centre and The Galway Skin Clinic.