Playback Archives - Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport

A drama series set in a small town somewhere in the heart of Donegal, where we meet various people who live in Ballyglissane and learn about their lives, their problems, and their secrets.

This Season new people arrive in town.There’s a woman who says she’s going to invest big money in Ballyglissane,but is she telling the whole truth? There’s a former trouble maker who swears he’s turned over a new leaf, but is he telling the whole truth?And one of our regulars from last season gets an unwelcome visitor from his shady past….

Join us each week as we unfold the lives of the residents of Ballyglissane.

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Welcome back to the podcast. Today’s episode is a packed one, covering everything from the high-stakes diplomacy in Washington D.C. to the economic pressures hitting the heart of our local industries here in the Northwest.

Inside the Headlines & The Oval Office

We kick things off with a deep dive into this morning’s papers before crossing the Atlantic. Peter Kelly, Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, joins Greg from Washington. Peter provides an inside look at  Micheál Martin’s high-profile meeting with President Donald Trump, discussing the diplomatic ripples and what this means for Irish-American relations in a changing political landscape.

The Fuel Crisis: Breaking Point for Transport & Fishing

The rising cost of fuel is no longer just a headline—it’s a threat to the viability of essential services.

Maelisa McGettigan (McGettigan Travel): Explains the grim reality facing private operators, where the cost of diesel is making school runs and Local Link services financially unviable.

Kevin Byrne (National Inshore Fisherman’s Association): Shares a sobering report from the coast, noting that fuel bills for small-scale fishers have effectively doubled, leaving the sector at a crossroads.

Resilience & Restoration at Doagh Famine Village

In an inspiring turn, Pat Doherty joins the show to discuss the journey of Doagh Famine Village. Following a devastating fire that threatened the future of this iconic site, Pat details the hard work and community spirit involved in building back and preserving our local heritage.

Home, Energy, and The Irish Mammy

Inishowen Co-Op Home Build Event: Evelyn McGlynn and Martin McCole join Greg to preview this Saturday’s big event. If you’re building, renovating, or trying to slash your energy bills, this Hub is the place to be.

The Irish Mammy’s Cookbook: Finally, we add a bit of flavor to the show as Orla Drumgoole introduces her new book. It’s a celebration of the recipes and the “mammy-isms” that define Irish kitchens.

Don’t miss a beat—listen to the full episode below.

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This week on the DL Debate, Brendan Devenney reviews and previews the closing weeks of the National League, looks ahead to the Gaelic Football Tournament in Philadelphia as part of next weekend’s Donegal Diaspora Initiative and he will also catch up with Kilkenny Hurling Legend Brian Cody.

The DL Debate in association with Sara’s Kitchen at Sister Sara’s Letterkenny:

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Welcome to the podcast for today’s edition of the Greg Hughes Show with Donna-Marie Doherty. It was a packed Monday morning as we navigated a historic night for Ireland in Hollywood, alongside pressing community concerns regarding waste, rural crime, and road safety.

Oscar Glory for Ireland: We began with the incredible news from the Academy Awards. Highland Radio journalist Katie Gillen joined the show to reflect on Jessie Buckley’s Oscar win. We discussed the electric atmosphere following the ceremony and what this global recognition means for the star’s home county.

The School Meal Waste: A shocking new survey has revealed that three-quarters of hot school meals are currently being thrown away. Senator Linda Nelson-Murray joined Donna-Marie to parse through these findings, discussing the disconnect between the current program and the students it aims to serve, and why so much taxpayer-funded nutrition is ending up in the bin.

Rural Blight: Fly-Tipping in South Donegal: The conversation turned to the environmental damage being done to our local landscape. Senator Manus Boyle expressed his outrage over the levels of fly-tipping discovered along the Ardara-Ardahey road, calling for urgent action to tackle the persistent issue of illegal dumping in the area.

Sport: The DL Debate Brendan Devenney joined via zoom to wrap up a massive weekend of sporting action.

Weekend Review: A look back at the latest performances and results from across the county.

DL Debate Preview: Brendan gave us a taste of what to expect on tonight’s show as the Donegal men encountered their first league loss.

Community and Road Safety We focused on the essential work of our local frontline services with two key segments:

Garda Information: Gráinne Doherty from An Garda Síochána provided our weekly community update, highlighting this week’s information clinics and local safety initiatives.

Road Safety Warning: Former Sergeant Christy Galligan joined the show with a sobering statistic, revealing that one driver has been caught drink-driving every 45 minutes over the past 72 hours. We discussed the implications of these figures for road safety as we head into St. Patrick’s Day.

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The Friday Panel: Fuel Crisis, Global Conflict, and the Search for Truth Greg is joined by Minister Marian Harkin, Sinn Féin Ógra member Niamh McGuinness, and Professor Pat O’Connor to dissect the week’s biggest stories:

The Cost of Living: As fuel prices continue to squeeze households, the panel debates what immediate actions the Government must take to alleviate the burden on motorists and families.

International Relations: With Tánaiste Micheál Martin visiting the White House, we discuss the diplomatic tightrope of the war in Gaza and the Middle East, questioning the US role and Ireland’s influence on the world stage.

The Creeslough Tragedy: We discuss the ongoing campaign by the families for a public inquiry and a formal meeting with the Minister for Justice, as they continue their search for answers three years on.

The Grand a Day Giveaway:  Corinne Temple from our Digital Team joins Greg to officially launch the ‘Grand a Day’ giveaway. It’s all part of our massive €20,000 Home Makeover Draw—tune in to find out how you could be our next big winner.

Buncrana Hospital Protest We hear from the community in Buncrana where a protest has been called over “unacceptable” delays. Plans for the new community hospital have stalled again, and locals are demanding the HSE and Government stop the drift.

The Emigrant Experience: Listener Michelle Bonner shares the harrowing story of her daughter, who was forced to leave her job in Qatar over safety fears. Michelle claims the Irish Government is failing to provide a pathway or adequate support for emigrants who need to return home in times of crisis.

Local History: ‘Great’ – The Benny Gordon Story We are joined by Seamus and Margaret Gordon, who have produced a moving new documentary about their father, Benny. Titled ‘Great’, the film captures a century of life in the Twin Towns and will be screened at the Balor Theatre next week.

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This week, we mark a profoundly significant and somber milestone. Friday, March 20th, 2026, marks the 10th anniversary of the Buncrana Pier tragedy.

On that evening in 2016, five members of one family—Sean McGrotty, Mark (12), Evan (8), Ruth Daniels (57), and Jodie-Lee Daniels (14)—lost their lives when their car slipped into Lough Swilly. The sole survivor was four-month-old Rioghnach-Ann, saved in a moment of extraordinary bravery as she was handed through a window to rescuer Davitt Walsh.

In this episode, we are joined by Louise James, who speaks with incredible courage about the decade that has passed since that life-altering Sunday.

What We Discuss:

The Day Everything Changed: Louise recounts being on a hen party in Liverpool, the “gut feeling” that something was wrong, and the devastating news she received after landing back home.

Signs of Comfort: The moving story of the “Elephant” sign—a promise from her mother that appeared on her daughter’s dummy in the hospital.

The Reality of Grief: The “guilt of living,” the challenges of years two and three, and the difficulty of watching the world move on while your heart remains at the pier.

Living for Rioghnach-Ann: How Louise and her daughter keep the memories of their dad, brothers, granny, and aunt alive every single day.

A Legacy in Writing: An update on Louise’s upcoming book, scheduled for publication in 2026, which documents her journey through loss and resilience.

Remembrance Mass

A special anniversary Mass will be held this Friday, March 20th, at 7:00 PM at the Holy Family Parish in Ballymagroarty, Derry. All are welcome to attend to remember, pray, and show support for the family.

“Some days, you laugh all day… you feel guilty for telling jokes, being involved, going to parties. But then that’s not fair on Rioghnach. I still have to live a life for her.” — Louise James

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast – Ep10 Louise James -10 Years On from the Buncrana Pier Tragedy: A Journey of Resilience, Grief, and Hope appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on The Score…

We speak to former Harps captain Keith Cowan about Friday night’s fixtures for Finn Harps and Derry City in the League Of Ireland, in our local soccer club focus we hear from the Moville Celtic & Milford United camps, there’s reaction from ATU Donegal’s big win in the Regan Cup Final and Sean McFadden looks ahead to the Michael Murphy Sports St Patrick’s Day 3k…

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In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore talks with Mairtin Kelly, originally from Galway, but who now lives just outside Letterkenny, and who many listeners will know from his days at Kelly’s Centra and Diner at the Mountain Top in the town.

He bought the store back in 2011, and developed it into a thriving business that expanded rapidly.

Indeed, he became a significant employer and in 2023 won the Letterkenny Chamber Business Person of the Year award, in recognition of his achievements.

In 2024, he made a big, big decision, to sell the store and so a major chapter in his and his family’s life came to a close.

So what has he been doing since, and what lies ahead?  A real family man, he has spent more time with those who are closest to him – and he is also now developing a new career effectively as a consultant and strategic advisor using his expertise and experience to assist many others to develop their businesses, and to overcome obstacles that they may face.

You can listen to the full  programme here:

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Welcome to the podcast. Today’s show covers a broad spectrum of local issues, from long-awaited infrastructure developments and festive preparations to a deeply moving look back at one of the region’s most significant tragedies.

Morning Headlines: A Look at the Papers

Greg begins the morning with a comprehensive review of the national and local papers, setting the stage for the day’s discussions on health, housing, and the economy in the North West.

Strabane’s Transformation: £7m Regeneration Update

We hear from Tony Monaghan, Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Regeneration Officer. Work is set to commence this May on a major £7 million public realm scheme aimed at revitalizing Strabane town centre. Tony outlines how the project will transform the streetscape and confirms that upcoming information sessions at Strabane Library will give local businesses and residents a first-hand look at the plans.

Buncrana Community Hospital: Further Delays Spark Outrage

Sinn Féin Chief Whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD joins the show to discuss the latest setback for the Buncrana Community Hospital project. Initially expected to begin last year, construction has now been pushed back to the third quarter of 2026. Deputy Mac Lochlainn shares his frustration over the “kicking the can down the road” approach and highlights the urgent need for increased bed capacity in Inishowen.

St. Patrick’s Day in Letterkenny: A Call to Businesses

With March 17th fast approaching, Letterkenny Chamber CEO Toni Forrester provides an update on the town’s parade plans. Entertainment is set to begin at 1:00 PM with the main parade kicking off at 3:00 PM. Toni issues a final call for local businesses, schools, and community groups to enter a float and be part of one of the county’s largest celebrations.

Louise James: 10 Years Since the Buncrana Pier Tragedy

In a powerful and emotional interview, we speak with Louise James as we approach the 10th anniversary of the Buncrana Pier tragedy. Louise reflects on the decade since she lost five members of her family—her partner Sean, sons Mark and Evan, mother Ruth, and sister Jodie Lee. She discusses her journey of resilience, the support of the community, and how she continues to navigate life after such unimaginable loss.

Coming Up on Business Matters

Finally, Chris Ashmore joins Greg to preview this week’s Business Matters podcast.

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In today’s episode, Greg navigates a packed agenda ranging from the lived experiences of students and the development of local education to major national economic proposals and the future of Donegal’s transport infrastructure.

Education & Advocacy: Addressing Racial Abuse

Harrison Rossiter McGuire from the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) joins the show to discuss a new survey that sheds light on the distressing extent of racial abuse within the school system. Harrison breaks down the data and discusses what needs to change to ensure every student feels safe in the classroom.

Inclusion in Action: Little Angels School

A celebration of progress at Little Angels School. Principal Ailbhe Dunne and parent Leonard Watson sit down with Greg to talk about the recent opening of their state-of-the-art sensory room. While it’s a massive win for the students, they also look ahead at the ongoing challenges and the support still required for special education facilities in the region.

Fuel Crisis: Sinn Féin’s Economic Proposals

As conflict in the Middle East continues to drive energy costs upward, Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty joins us to outline his party’s strategy. He discusses specific proposals aimed at easing the financial burden on consumers and why he believes the government must act faster to curb rising fuel prices at the pump.

The Great Rail Debate: Barnesmore Gap

The proposed miniature railway through Barnesmore Gap has sparked a debate over long-term infrastructure. Mary Casey of the Donegal West Ulster Initiative explains why she believes this project must not be allowed to jeopardize the broader vision for a permanent Letterkenny to Sligo Rail Link.

Community & Empowerment: The Heart of Women Festival

To wrap up the show, Holly Bonner brings some local inspiration as she previews the upcoming “Heart of Women” Festival in Ballybofey. From workshops to networking, Holly shares what attendees can expect and why this event is a vital date for the community calendar.

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