Playback Archives - Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport

On Business Matters this week Chris Ashmore looks at a great Donegal success story.

He’s been speaking with two brothers who started out selling bobble hats to local sports teams, and who are now presiding over an expanding and thriving business that is now employing more than 30 people in Ballybofey and which is also manufacturing as well as importing.

O’Reilly’s is run by brothers Martin and Steven O’Reilly and supply sportswear, leisurewear, workwear and corporate clothing to clubs, businesses and organisations throughout Ireland, the UK and America. 

Martin, a noted Gaelic footballer,  trained as a primary school teacher in Colaiste Mhuire in Marino, Dublin and also completed  a Masters in Education and Leadership in Queens  University, Belfast.

Steven, a multiple national boxing champion, was an  undergraduate of Letterkenny IT as it was known then and the University of Limerick, before he became a PE teacher.

Their passion for sport accompanied by the dream of running their own business led to the birth of O’Reilly Sports, from the humble beginnings of those bobble hats on a cold day.

At the end of last year they opened their new premises in what many years ago was the old Herdmans linen factory, and so a textile manufacturing tradition is getting a new lease of life once again.

More than €2million has been invested in the wonderfully modern, impressive renovated and rebuilt structure at the Northern Point Business Centre in Sessiaghoneill just outside Ballybofey. Their website is: https://oreillysofficial.com/

It also houses a striking new shop, with an extensive range of their sportswear and leisurewear products.

Chris paid a visit to their new premises to find out all about the business, and you can listen to the full interview here:

The post Business Matters – Ep 281. O’Reilly’s: Ballybofey-based sports and leisurewear company scoring on and off the field appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In today’s episode, we navigate a packed agenda covering everything from major national policy shifts and local environmental concerns to heartwarming community milestones and sporting excellence.

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

The Social Media Ban: We dive into the government’s latest moves to push ahead with a complete ban on social media for Under 16s. With growing concerns over online safety and mental health, we ask: is a total ban the right solution, or a “blunt tool” that will be bypassed?

Coastal Erosion at Ballymastocker: Cllr Liam Blaney joins us to highlight the urgent need for action at one of Donegal’s most iconic beaches. He discusses the escalating threat of erosion and what needs to happen to protect this coastal gem.

Special Olympics Heroes: We celebrate local sporting talent with Northwest athletes Mark Peoples and Daniel O’Reilly. They share their journey as they prepare for a major upcoming tournament and discuss the exciting new sporting opportunities opening up for athletes in the region.

St Eunan’s College Funding Blow: Principal Damien McAuley provides his reaction to the news that St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, has been omitted from a significant government school funding programme. We explore what this means for the school’s future development and the student body.

A Milestone Celebration: We head to Aras Gweedore, where Sinead Black joins the incredible Mary McAuliffe as she celebrates her 105th birthday. A truly special moment for a legendary figure in the Dunfanaghy and Falcarragh communities.

Business Matters: Chris Ashmore drops by to preview the latest Business Matters podcast, giving us a heads-up on the trends and stories affecting the local economy.

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

The post The Greg Hughes Show Thursday 29/01/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In today’s episode, we dive into the pressing social issues and sporting highlights shaping Donegal this week. From housing policy debates to the glitz of the upcoming Sports Star Awards, we’ve got it covered.

The Morning Papers: A deep dive into the headlines hitting the stands today across the Northwest.

Homelessness Crisis: Councillor Gerry McMonagle joins us to discuss his call for an urgent review of Donegal’s homeless policy. He argues that current figures are under-reported and failing to reflect the true scale of the crisis.

The Marty Party & GAA: The legendary Marty Morrissey drops by to talk about the “Marty Party” heading to Spain this October. Plus, we get his expert take on Donegal’s chances in this year’s All-Ireland Championship.

Tipping & Transparency: We examine a new report on tipping attitudes in Ireland. Should there be more transparency on where your money goes? We break down the findings.

The ‘X’ Exit: Councillor Ali Farren questions Donegal County Council’s recent decision to exit the X (formerly Twitter) platform, weighing up the impact on public communication.

Gambling Exposure: A sobering look at new ESRI research showing that children exposed to gambling are significantly more likely to become problem gamblers in adulthood.

Sporting Excellence: We look forward to Friday night’s landmark 50th Donegal Sports Star Awards at the Mount Errigal Hotel, celebrating half a century of local sporting legends.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Wednesday 28/01/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In this episode, we sit down with the newly installed Bishop of Raphoe, Niall Coll.

A Donegal native returning home, Bishop Niall shares his journey from St. Johnston to the priesthood and reflects on the diverse parishes he has served along the way.

We dive into the realities of his new role, discussing the weight of leadership in a changing Church. Bishop Niall speaks candidly about the difficult decisions ahead, the challenge of falling priest numbers, and his vision for the future of the diocese.

Key Topics:

The Call: How his path to the priesthood began.

The Journey: Reflections on his service across Donegal and beyond.

The Future: Addressing the priest shortage and restructuring parishes.

The Vision: His hopes for the people of the Raphoe Diocese.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast: Episode 3 – Bishop Niall Coll appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

We’re capturing the big shifts in Donegal this week, from a landmark change in how we access healthcare and the safety of our local shop workers to the historic installation of a new Bishop and the vibrant sounds of Trad Week.

Prescribing Powers: A major evolution for Irish healthcare as pharmacists are now authorized to prescribe for common ailments—we discuss the rollout with Tom Murray of the IPU.

Retail Safety Crisis: Mandate Trade Union speaks out on the alarming rise in abuse and physical threats faced by retail workers across the country.

Trad Week Live: Fiddle player Martin McGinley joins us in-studio for a live performance and a preview of the Travellers’ Tunes showcase.

Garda Information Update: Garda Sean Sweeney joins the show with the weekly Community Garda Information segment. We look at the latest appeals regarding local incidents, including recent burglaries and safety advice for the winter months.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Tuesday 27/01/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on the DL Debate Brendan Devenney looks at the league action with former county stars from Donegal and Kerry – Kevin Cassidy and Seamus Moynihan along with Sports Editor with The Sun Jason Byrne.

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

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

It’s Monday, and we’re straight into the thick of it. Today, we link to Jackson’s Hotel as the race for the Highland Radio Hospitality Awards hots up. We’ll be talking to the Council leadership about the importance of the event, but we’re also tackling the bigger headlines: from a proposed boycott of X by the local authority to a worrying drop-off in school attendance. We’ve got the papers, the weekend GAA wrap with Brendan Devenney, and the questions you want answered. This is the Greg Hughes Show Podcast!

Social Media Boycott: Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig joins us to explain his formal call for the local authority to boycott and de-register from X, citing concerns over the platform’s direction and impact.

Hospitality Awards voting Launch: We are live on-site at Jackson’s Hotel to kick off the Highland Radio Hospitality Awards voting  with guests John McLaughlin (CEO, Donegal County Council) Cathaoirleach Paul Canning  and Joan Crawford.

School Attendance: We speak with Professor Emer Smith of the ESRI. We break down the latest figures regarding student absenteeism and the discuss what may be the cause.

Emergency Preparedness: Cllr Joy Beard weighs in on the Government’s new informational booklet regarding emergency situations. She is looking for specific advice for those living in DCB homes and mobiles

The post The Greg Hughes Show Monday 26/01/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Welcome to your Friday morning briefing. Today, we’re looking at the growing friction between our digital privacy and national security, as new proposals could see Gardaí accessing your encrypted messages. We also examine the “energy lag”—why your wallet isn’t feeling the relief of falling wholesale prices—and we celebrate a massive 50-year milestone for one of Donegal’s most beloved community traditions.

Taylor Swift Ticket Justice: An Garda Síochána is launching a coordinated action against those behind large-scale ticket scams. If you were targeted during the Eras Tour sales, the message today is clear: step forward and join the official action to hold those responsible to account.

Golden Jubilee in Buncrana: We reflect on half a century of magic with the Buncrana Pantomime Society. As they celebrate 50 years, we look ahead to their upcoming production of Cinderella and the impact the society has had on generations of local performers.

Eating Disorder Care Gaps: Paula Crotty of CARED Ireland joins us to highlight the critical shortfalls in state support. We discuss why families are still struggling to access the life-saving care needed for those with eating disorders.

The Future of AI in Care: HIQA is opening the floor to you. They are inviting the public to have their say on the future use of Artificial Intelligence in Health and Social Care services—how much technology do we really want in our bedside manner?

Expert analysis and lively debate on the week’s big talking points.

The Panelists:

Kath Donaghey: Acclaimed journalist and author.

James Ward: News Editor with the Irish Daily Mail.

Cllr Niamh Kennedy: Donegal County Councillor.

On the Agenda:

Private Messages & The Law: The panel debates the controversial moves to allow Garda access to private communications.

Celebrity Culture: Unpacking the Beckhams’ public disagreement—is it a genuine rift or a media distraction?

Donegal’s EV Shift: With interest in electric vehicles surging across the Northwest, the panel discusses whether our local infrastructure is ready for the “green revolution.”

The post The Greg Hughes Show Friday 23/01/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In this episode of The Greg Hughes Podcast from Highland Radio, we step away from the fast-paced news cycle of the daily show to conduct long-form interviews with local figures.

Greg is joined in studio by Gerry McKeever. Known to many as a Letterkenny barber and local author, McKeever has more recently entered the political arena as an election candidate. This conversation explores the motivations behind his move into politics and his observations on the evolution of Ireland

Key areas of discussion include:

The Transition to Politics: What drives a local businessman to seek public office and his specific vision for the region’s future.

A Local Perspective: Insights from his years behind the barber chair and his perspective on the social and economic changes.

The Written Word: His work as an author and the aspirations he has written about.

The Campaign Trail: The challenges of running for election and if he’d do it again.

This episode provides an unfiltered look at the person behind the candidacy, offering listeners a chance to hear his viewpoints in detail.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast: Episode Two appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

After the winter break, The Score programme returns this evening on Highland.

We hear from Oscar Traynor Manager Eamonn Sheridan ahead of their semi final against Limerick in Castlebar.

Institute Manager Peter Hutton tells us about their season in the Irish League Championship and casts his eye on some League of Ireland matters. 

There’s a Colleges GAA chat with Maxi Curran – the ATU Manager discusses their Trench Cup campaign as well as the Donegal senior men and women who kick off their national football league campaigns this weekend against Dublin and Westmeath respectively.

Plus, we hear from St. Eunan’s College manager Peter Devine after his side clinched a spot in the MacLarnon Cup Final this afternoon…

The post The Score – 22/01/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.