Playback Archives - Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport

The SSE Airtricity League is about to roar back into action tomorrow night (Friday) when four Premier Division fixtures will kick-off the 2026 campaign.

Champions Shamrock Rovers, who did the league and cup double last year, are at home to newly promoted Dundalk, John Caulfield’s Galway United welcome Drogheda United to Eamon Deacy Park, Waterford entertain Shelbourne and Derry City, who have had a busy off-season in the transfer market, face Sligo Rovers at The Ryan McBride Brandywell.

Among other big signings, The Candy Stripes have added James and Patrick McClean to their ranks ahead of the start of the new season and will be eager to get off to a winning start in their bid to win a first Premier Division title since 1997.

The First Division begins next Friday as Finn Harps travel to the midlands to face Athlone Town in their season-opener.

Kevin McHugh will be looking to build on the many positives from last season in his first full term in charge of the first team.

On “The Score” programme this week, Oisin Kelly was joined in studio by former Finn Harps players Declan Boyle, Joe Boyle and Keith Cowan to preview the upcoming League Of Ireland season…

The post The Score 05/02/26 – League Of Ireland Preview Show appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In this week’s programme Chris Ashmore finds out more about Emerald Education which is based in Bundoran.

A mum of three daughters, Elaine Lingard wanted them to get the best from her. She left the school system having been a teacher and started tutoring, giving her also a better work-life balance and more time with my family.

Back in 2016 she founded Emerald Education, initially tutoring children in person and soon adding  the option of online learning.

Indeed, she began tutoring Maths and English, working  with children all over the world ranging from Portugal to the USA,, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates to name but a few.

Now she offers Maths & English tuition for students aged from 5-18. She also has exam revision classes that have helped students gain confidence and improve their grades. 

She prides herself with her unique tailor-made approach to ensures students get the extra support in exactly the right places to help them succeed.  

As well as online courses, in-person tuition and tutoring online she also does dyslexia and dyscalculia screening tests and also various camps – and – as we shall hear – she is also the author of a number of very interesting education related books.  

This part of the interview is particularly worth listening to, especially if you are a parent. Her first book was called Master Your Times Tables in a Month which is full of clever little tricks that she uses to make learning easier. She’s had sales of this book to all over the world.

Chris paid a visit to Elaine in her Emerald Education premises in Bundoran to find out more, and you can listen to the full interview here:

The post Business Matters, Ep 282: Elaine Lingard of Emerald Education appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

We hit the ground running with our daily Morning Paper Review, dissecting the headlines making waves across the Northwest and beyond.

The local retail landscape has been dealt a massive blow with the news that Eurogiant is entering liquidation. With stores in Letterkenny and Donegal Town directly impacted, we get expert reaction on what this means for staff, the local economy, and the future of our high streets.

Could a centuries-old maritime mystery finally be solved? Journalist Anne Cadwallader joins Greg to discuss the possible discovery of the wreck of the HMS Saldanha in Ballymastocker Bay. We dive into the history and the significance of this potential find.

In a moving and powerful extended clip from The Greg Hughes Podcast, we hear from Biddy McLaughlin. She speaks candidly about the murder of her sister and the harrowing realities of domestic abuse.

The Travel Toll: Cancer patient Kathleen outlines the devastating impact a change in the Donegal to Derry PSO flights will have on those traveling for life-saving treatment.

Funding Withdrawn: Listeners Cathal and Geraldine share their shock after being informed by the HSE—separately—that funding for their back condition treatments is being pulled mid-way through their care plans.

Chris Ashmore drops by to give us a sneak peek at the latest episode of the Business Matters Podcast, highlighting the stories driving the Donegal business community this week.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Thursday 05/02/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today on the show, we dive into the pressing issues affecting Donegal and the national stage, from a high-stakes standoff at Bord Bia to a new roadmap for transparency in our schools.

The Morning Papers: Greg kicks off the morning with a comprehensive look at the front pages and the stories making the rounds across the county and beyond.

Council First Refusal & Housing Delays: Cllr Declan Meehan joins the conversation. He’s calling for Donegal County Council to be given “first choice” on vacant HSE properties to tackle the local housing crisis. We also discuss the growing frustration over delays in the Defective Concrete Block scheme for social housing tenants.

Transparency in Schools: Are “voluntary contributions” becoming a mandatory burden? We speak to the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) on Government plans to force more transparency on how these funds are requested and spent.

Showdown at Bord Bia: We go live to the offices of Bord Bia where the IFA’s Adrian Gallagher is part of a major protest. Farmers are escalating their campaign, calling for the immediate removal of the agency’s chair, Larry Murrin, following controversy surrounding the importation of Brazilian beef.

The Epstein Files – A Diplomatic Perspective: Former Diplomat Dr. Ray Bassett, who worked alongside George Mitchell and Peter Mandelson, joins us to discuss the international fallout and the implications of the latest Epstein document releases.

Crime Report – Ireland vs The World: We analyze a new report comparing Ireland’s crime rates and justice system to other countries.

Donegal Airport Updates: Following concerns that PSO flights would be significantly altered, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher shares his optimism that a resolution is close and that vital flight links for the county will be protected.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Wednesday 04/02/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today on the show, we dive into the pressing issues affecting Donegal, from a major threat to vital transport links to the latest figures on road safety.

The Morning Papers: Greg kicks off the morning with a comprehensive look at the front pages and the stories making the rounds across the county and beyond.

The Donegal-Dublin Flight Crisis: We take an in-depth look at the proposed changes to the PSO flight route. With the afternoon return flight facing the axe and the morning schedule becoming increasingly unreliable, what does this mean for the future of the service? More importantly, we discuss the devastating impact on cancer patients who rely on this link for life-saving treatment in Dublin.

A Tribute to Joe Mulholland: We take a moment to remember the late Joe Mulholland. The Ballybofey native and former RTÉ Managing Director left an indelible mark on Irish broadcasting and the MacGill Summer School. We reflect on his life, legacy, and his immense contribution to Donegal.

Road Safety & Policing: MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú joins the conversation to highlight a worrying trend. New data reveals a significant fall in Garda checkpoints across Donegal, even as detections for drink and drug driving continue to soar. We ask: is our road safety strategy keeping pace with the risks?

Community Garda Information: Garda Grainne Doherty joins Greg for our regular segment, providing essential updates on local crime prevention, community safety initiatives, and how you can help keep your neighborhood safe.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Tuesday 03/02/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In 2002, James White was a man at the peak of his powers. As the head of the White Hotel Group, he commanded a commercial titan that employed 1,500 people and operated with a marketing budget—exceeding £500,000—that was almost unheard of for the time. Yet, behind the commercial success lay a storied and often turbulent career in the corridors of Leinster House.

In this newly released archival recording, we step back over two decades to hear White in his own words: unfiltered, sharp, and remarkably candid about the friction that defined his life in both business and the Dáil.

The conversation begins with White’s roots in the Ballyshannon grocery trade, but the narrative quickly shifts from commerce to conflict. In a revealing moment, White admits that his entry into Fine Gael wasn’t born of deep-seated party ideology. Instead, it was a move of pure strategy—a way to spite a local politician and business rival. It was this instinct for competition that would characterize his entire public life.

Perhaps the most striking part of the interview is White’s reflection on his “political low.” He delves into the sting of being overlooked for a Ministry by Garret FitzGerald. He provides a rare, sobering look at the social climate of 20th-century Ireland, explaining how his broken marriage effectively barred him from the Cabinet table.

Rather than retreating, White describes how that rejection became the fuel for his fire, redirecting his energy away from the Dáil and into the hotel empire that would eventually dominate the Donegal landscape.

Listeners will also hear White’s firsthand accounts of the cut-throat nature of Donegal politics. From the documented “bad blood” with Independent TD Thomas Gildea to his observations on a “fresh-faced” Enda Kenny taking the reins of Fine Gael, this recording is a time capsule of a transitional era in Irish leadership.

This isn’t just a business interview; it’s a bridge between the old guard of Irish politics and the modern tourism sector we see today. It captures a powerhouse figure at a moment of total confidence, offering an honest look at the ambition required to build a legacy in Ireland.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast: From the Archives: James White (Recorded 2002) appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week’s DL Debate was a live broadcast on Bank Holiday Sunday following the Donegal Kerry game in Ballyshannon.

Among Brendan Devenney’s guests at Fr Tierney Park were Highland Radio’s big match analyst Brendan Kilcoyne and Cahir O’Kane of the Irish News as well as reaction from both Donegal manager Jim McGuinness and Kerry boss Jack O’Connor.

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

The post DL Debate – 01/02/26 LIVE from Ballyshannon appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Welcome to a packed Friday edition of The Greg Hughes Show. Today, we bridge the gap between local Donegal advocacy and major national debates, from the safety of our skies to the digital wellbeing of our children.

The Morning Paper Review: We kick off by dissecting the lead stories in the local and national press, setting the agenda for the weekend ahead.

Air Rescue for Donegal: Senator Manus Boyle joins us to discuss his urgent call for a dedicated emergency aeromedical service to be based in the county. With Donegal’s unique geography, is a local rescue helicopter now a necessity rather than a luxury?

A Mother’s Quest for Truth: Donna Harper joins us ahead of her participation at a Derry event tomorrow marking the 54th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Donna, who lost her daughter Leona in the Creeslough explosion, discusses why she is standing alongside the Derry families and why she is intensifying her calls for a full public inquiry into the 2022 tragedy.

The Friday Panel: We are joined in-studio by Senator Eileen Flynn, Donegal Aontú Chair Rebecca McDaid, and Community Campaigner Katy Tyrell McCafferty.

Social Media & Under 16s: With the government intensifying discussions around a total social media ban for those under 16, we ask our panel: Is this a vital move for mental health, or an unenforceable “blunt tool”?

The Housing Crisis: Yesterday’s CSO figures revealed that while 2025 saw a record 36,284 completions (a 20% jump from 2024), the state still fell nearly 5,000 homes short of its original 41,000 target

The post The Greg Hughes Show Friday 30/01/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In this episode, Clarice’s twin sister, Bernadette, joins us for a raw and courageous conversation. She pulls back the curtain on the devastating aftermath of a fatal road traffic collision, from the trauma of the 1:00 AM phone call to the pain of combating false headlines during her sister’s wake.

We discuss:

The Reality of the Crash: The physical impact of high-speed collisions and the importance of seatbelt safety.

The Ripple Effect of Grief: How Clarice’s death impacted her daughter, Saoirse, and the lifelong bond shared between twins.

Debunking the Rumors: Setting the record straight regarding the 2020 inquest and the role speed played in the accident.

A Mission for Change: Why Bernadette supports Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and stricter rules for learner drivers to prevent future tragedies.

This is more than just a story of loss; it is a vital plea for road safety. Bernadette shares her anger, her love, and her determination to ensure that her sister’s story saves lives.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast: Episode 4 – The High Cost of Speed – Clarice Rice’s Story appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on The Score with Mark Gallagher…

Rally legend Rory Kennedy looks ahead to the new Irish Tarmac Championship which gets underway with the Galway International Rally this weekend, we speak to Declan Kerr about Friday’s Donegal Sports Star Awards, and we hear from Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair manager Michelle Ferguson after their success on the national stage yesterday…

Plus, in soccer, we hear from Derry City’s James McClean & Michael Duffy while we also take a look at this weekend’s big derby in the NIFL Premier Intermediate league between Strabane and Dergview…

The post The Score – 29/01/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.