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Dara Padden from Mayo has been using social media to openly share his journey through addiction and recovery. After struggling with alcohol and substance use, he made the decision to get sober and has been documenting the ups and downs of that process online.  

Through honesty about the challenges he’s faced, Dara has built a supportive community and is showing how recovery is possible. A huge part of that journey for him has been fitness, which he now uses as a positive outlet and a way to stay focused on his sobriety. Dara joins us to chat about the reality of admitting you have a problem, the first steps in getting help and the challenges of staying sober.

2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for cinema. With major releases hitting the big screen and Irish actors and actresses making waves internationally, it feels like more people are heading back to the cinema again. 

This evening on iRecommend were gonna be talkingabout some of the biggest films out right now for – and the ones you should keep an eye on – Valerie is joined by movie critic and TikTok creator Sean Plunkett.  

Do you have a list at home that just keeps getting longer? 
A wall that needs painting… a shelf that’s still sitting in the box… a lightbulb you’ve been meaning to change for weeks? 

Maybe you’ve put it off because you’re not sure how to do it - or hiring someone just feels too expensive right now. Not to mention finding someone to do it! 

Well, Declan Buggy is hoping to change that. He’s the founder of the Irish School of DIY, a new business offering hands-on DIY courses nationwide, helping people build practical skills, save money, and maybe even discover a new passion.  

Following on from International Women’s Day we’re highlighting some of the incredible women across Ireland who are making waves in their fields - and our next guest is doing just that in the world of technology and engineering. 

Originally from Louth, she’s currently studying Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of Galway, has been named on Ireland’s 30 Under 30 list, and is also a Stanford University Innovation Fellow. 

On top of all that, she’s also the co-founder of OBH Software Consulting, a company that creates custom software to help small businesses grow and innovate. 

With the Cheltenham Festival happening this week, there’s a huge buzz around horse racing and betting - and it can feel like gambling ads are everywhere.  

But gambling can come with serious risks if it isn’t approached carefully. Former Armagh footballer and recovery advocate Oisín McConville knows that better than most. After struggling with a gambling addiction earlier in his life, he’s become a leading voice in Ireland raising awareness about the dangers and helping people understand how to gamble responsibly.  

He joins us now on iRadios Groupchat to talk about the reality of gambling, the pressure young people face during big events like Cheltenham, and what we should all know about staying safe.   

International Women’s Day is all about celebrating women’s achievements - but it’s also about looking ahead and asking how we can better support the next generation.  

Across Ireland, young girls are growing up in a world shaped by social media, comparison culture, academic pressure and changing expectations. So how do we help them build confidence, resilience and real self-belief?  

Joining Valerie is Cassie Delaney, Head of Community at The Shona Project - a charity dedicated to educating, empowering and inspiring girls to become strong, confident and resilient.  

This month is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and we’re also marking International Women’s Day, so today we’re talking about a condition that affects 10% of women and girls in Ireland - but is still widely misunderstood.  

Endometriosis is a chronic disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation, severe pain and sometimes years of difficulty getting a diagnosis.  

 Many women say they’ve struggled to be taken seriously, face long waiting lists, or even had to travel abroad for treatment.  

 Our next guest has been using her platform to change that conversation. You might know her from TikTok where she has over 430,000 followers as Aoife Khalaoife, sharing honest and powerful insights into life with endometriosis and raising awareness for others going through the same thing.  

It’s Seachtain na Gaeilge - and tonight on Between the Sheets, we’re proving that Irish isn’t just for the classroom… it can be for the bedroom too.  

 Joining Valerie is Cian Griffin, better known as Gaylgeori on TikTok - the man who’s made Gaeilge cool again for a whole new generation online.  

But tonight, we’re putting a slightly different spin on things. We’re talking dating, relationships, red flags - and maybe even a few romantic phrases as Gaeilge you might want to add to your vocabulary.  

Money - we all need it, we all worry about it, and no matter how much we earn, it often feels like it disappears just as quickly.  

 With rising rents, higher living costs, and more pressure than ever to save for a home, a lot of adults are asking the same question: Where is my money actually going - and how do I get ahead?  

To help us break it all down, from the best practical saving tips to how you can realistically save for a mortgage while renting - and why you can still feel broke even after a pay rise - we’re joined now by finance expert Cian Carolan.  

The UK government has just announced plans to introduce anti-misogyny education for boys in schools across England. 

It’s part of a wider strategy aiming to cut violence against women and girls in half over the next ten years. 

The proposals include specialist teacher training to spot and challenge misogynistic behaviour in classrooms, lessons on consent and healthy relationships, behavioural programmes for boys considered high-risk - and even a dedicated teen helpline for those experiencing abuse. 

This all comes amid growing concern about the influence of online misogynistic content - particularly the kind of content young boys are consuming on social media. 

We’re joined now by psychologist Lee Chambers from Male Allies UK to unpack it all.