iRadio's Groupchat

Ireland’s public IVF scheme is finally here, but what’s it actually like trying to access fertility treatment through the state?

Valerie is joined by Eilbhe Kennedy, who recently featured on RTÉ Investigates with her husband Lee, as they shared the reality of secondary infertility, “normal” test results, and living cycle-to-cycle for years.

Elva opens up about being refused the HSE scheme at first due to eligibility criteria like BMI and secondary infertility, the emotional and financial toll of private treatment abroad, and what changed when she was eventually accepted.

They also talk regulation, “add-on” treatments, and why fertility hubs based in maternity hospitals can be so triggering for patients.

We’re talking about something we all have to navigate at some point: how to look after your health and get the most out of a GP appointment - especially when you’ve only got 10–15 minutes.

GP Dr. Clodagh Gallagher (The Anú Clinic, Moycullen, Co. Galway) joins Valerie with practical tips on going in prepared: bringing urine samples if needed, having photos ready, noting key dates, and writing your questions down - plus the two big questions to ask before you leave so you actually understand the plan.

With winter on the way, they also break down colds vs flu, when to call the doctor, vaccine reminders, and what “normal bloods” really means if you still feel unwell.

A new school-based programme is creating non-judgmental spaces for young boys to be honest about how they’re really doing. In this episode, Programme Director Donal Kearney joins Valerie to talk about Mark, the Shona Project’s latest initiative - and why the call for something like this came from the girls themselves asking, “what about the boys?”

Donald explains how the 90-minute workshops work, what lads are saying in feedback (including that 94% felt safe in the space), and what the latest “Perfect Storm” research reveals about stress, school pressure, sport, social media, and why so few boys feel they can ask for mental health support.

Find out how schools can get involved at thisismark.ie

This week on iRadio’s iRecommend, we’re leaning all the way into spooky season — stepping into a world of ghosts, ancient magic, witches, folklore and mysterious stone circles.

Valerie’s featured read is Girl of Darkness, the brand new YA urban fantasy from Swedish-born, Ireland-based author Kristina Dowling. Think eerie vibes, secret brotherhoods, a scarred stranger, a sealed grimoire… and a slowburn romance.

Kristina tells the story behind the book’s first spark (a haunted vicarage in Sweden), how Sweden, Ireland and Romanian folklore shaped the series, and why she loves mixing history, mystery and the supernatural.

This week on iRadio's Groupchat Business Spotlight, we’re chatting to Aishling Croughan, founder of Ora Wellness Studio in Athlone - a new space built around the idea that movement should meet you where you are.

Ashlyn tells us how moving home after four years in South Korea helped her spot a gap in the local wellness scene, and what it’s been like building Aura from the ground up after a career in sales and marketing.

We talk Reformer Pilates, barre, yoga, dance and breathwork...

Budget 2027 has landed, the government has “loosened the purse strings” - but what does it actually mean for you? Political correspondent Sean Defoe joins us live from Leinster House to break down the headline changes without the chaos.

We dig into what students and young people are getting: the cut to the student contribution, SUSI increases, and a new support pot for students who become pregnant while in college.

If you’ve ever watched a renovation show and thought, “That looks amazing… but how much is that actually going to cost?”, today’s conversation is for you.  

Our guest is Rachel Uí Bhaoil, better known online as The Renovation Strategist. Rachel is the owner of Spreag.ie, a certified financial planner and property developer who has built a following by sharing practical advice for people who are buying, renovating or trying to make sense of an older home.  

Rachel helps people understand what they're getting themselves into before they pick up the sledgehammer.  

So today we're getting into the big questions: How much does a renovation really cost? What should you look out for before buying an old house? And what grants are available?

We were joined by Niamh Noonan, who has gained a significant following on social media for sharing the realities of her day to day life after facing breast cancer.

Niamh was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer two days after her 30th birthday. She's finished treatment now, but has continued to document her life on social media to remind people to look after their health, and advocate for themselves. 

She's also one of the founders of the group 'Too Young to be Heard' who are campaigning to have the age of public breast screening lowered.

Niamh has also stressed that early detection is crucial.

For more support, you can visit cancer.ie

For today’s iRadio Groupchat Business Spotlight, we’re shining a light on an Irish businesswoman who has taken something she loved doing as a child and turned it into a thriving handmade brand.  

Isabella McKeon, from County Leitrim, is the woman behind By Izzy the Label - a crochet fashion brand creating handmade bags and accessories using recycled T-shirt yarn.  

Isabella’s love for crochet and knitting started when she was young, spending evenings with her granny, and years later she rediscovered that passion and began making bags for herself.  

The saying goes "She believed She could so She did"

This ties in perfectly with Ghlór Mná, which is a writing and creative wellbeing community for women and mothers in the west of Ireland.

It is self described as a space where words are the tool, play is the purpose and connection is the core.

Founder Claire Kelly joined Valerie on the show to reflect on the importance of community, and chat about the upcoming 'Play Café' events people can get involved in.