Playback Archives - Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport

A proud Carrigart man who made his life in London, Brendan ‘Tiny’ Vaughan has spent decades helping others while keeping Donegal close to his heart.

This week on The Greg Hughes Podcast, Tiny joins Greg ahead of receiving the 2026 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award for an honest, deeply personal and at times intensely emotional conversation about his life, his love of home and his plans to return to Donegal.

His commitment to charity has touched lives across Ireland and Britain. The Donegal Hospice Calendar, which he established in memory of his mother, has raised approximately €240,000, while the London Irish Vintage Club, which he co-founded, has raised more than £1 million through its annual charity event.

In this conversation, we get under the famous cap and meet the man behind those remarkable fundraising efforts. As he prepares to accept recognition for years of giving back, Tiny reflects on the life he has built away from Carrigart and what coming home will mean to him.

New episodes of The Greg Hughes Podcast arrive every Friday at 11am. Listen at highlandradio.com, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch on YouTube.

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In this week’s Business Matters, Chris finds out about a new taxi-hailing app with an Irish twist.

People who use taxis – particularly in cities – will be familiar with the likes of Uber, Bolt and Free Now.

But significantly, it is as much a social project as a business, dedicated to fairness for drivers, the Irish economy, and reinvesting directly in Irish art and culture, the local community and appealing to Irish speakers as well.

The founder of Anseo is a actually a Dublin-based doctor, Abdullah Al Bayyari, and he has been outlining the story behind this new business venture.

Also in the programme, this week, Chris gets up to date on the Highland Radio Customer Service Awards which take place on Sunday, September 27th. He’s been speaking with Sean Quinn, CEO of Highland Radio, and also hearing from Sinead Dooley, Head of Public Engagement with Eirgrid, the main sponsors, about the considerable investment that Eirgrid is making in Donegal.

You can listen to the full programme here:

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Today we cover proposals for mandatory politician testing, live celebrations for #LoveDonegal Day, national political security concerns following a violent assault in Dublin, and the conclusion of our Irish Music Month finalist showcases.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the program with a review of the front pages, tracking the leading regional, national, and political news stories breaking today.

Call for Mandatory Drug & Alcohol Testing for Politicians: Sligo Councillor Donal Gilroy joins Greg to propose mandatory random substance testing for elected representatives. Councillor Gilroy argues that public representatives making crucial legislative and financial decisions should undergo fitness-for-duty testing similar to safety-critical sectors.

Celebrating #LoveDonegal Day Live: Corinne Temple broadcasts live from a scenic coastal location to celebrate #LoveDonegal Day. Corinne highlights local tourism, coastal heritage, and community initiatives showcasing the best of the county to a worldwide online audience.

Business Matters Preview: Chris Ashmore delivers today’s commercial roundup and previews the latest topics featured in this week’s Business Matters podcast.

Assault on Deputy Michael Healy-Rae & Public Safety for Politicians: Following yesterday’s attack in Dublin that left Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae hospitalised, Deputy Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher and former Deputy Thomas Pringle join Greg to react to the incident. They discuss rising toxicity toward public figures, personal safety risks for elected officials, and the implications for open democracy in Ireland.

Irish Music Month: Local Hero Finalists ‘Ruby Rua’: We conclude our A New Local Hero talent search with our fourth and final contender, Ruby Rua. The duo joins Greg live in studio to perform their cover of I Will Always Love You alongside their official competition entry single, Breathless.

Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news:

The post The Greg Hughes Show |Thursday| 17/09/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we address the sexualisation of women in sports media, legal developments surrounding the Noah Donohoe inquest, fallout in the global music industry, local recovery initiatives, and our third Irish Music Month finalist showcase.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the programme with our daily scan of the regional and national headlines breaking across the newspapers today.

The Sydney Sweeney Sports Ad Backlash: Rugby player Grace Simati joins Greg to share her perspective on the international controversy surrounding actor Sydney Sweeney’s sports betting advertising campaign. Grace explains why she believes the sexualised imagery damages the perception of women in sport, arguing that it diminishes athletic achievement and undermines the hard work of female athletes fighting for equal recognition.

Noah Donohoe Inquest Findings & Next Steps: Solicitor Niall Murphy, representing Fiona Donohoe (mother of 14-year-old Belfast teenager Noah), joins Greg following the conclusion of the long-running inquest into Noah’s death. Niall reflects on the jury’s findings of severe police and departmental failings, outlining the ongoing legal fight for full accountability, justice, and answers for the Donohoe family.

Ed Sheeran Tour Fallout: Columnist Pat McArt weighs in on the escalating controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran’s current stadium tour after his opening act, rapper Macklemore, was dropped following on-stage comments supporting Palestine. Pat discusses the difficult position Sheeran finds himself in after all remaining support acts—including Irish singer Aaron Rowe and band Beoga—pulled out in solidarity, sparking wider debates on political expression in live music.

HSE Recovery In Action Event: Studio guests Raymond Guthries, Aggie Boylan, and Noreen McLaughlin drop in to discuss a special HSE Recovery In Action event taking place in Letterkenny this Thursday evening. They outline the community gathering, which highlights mental health recovery, peer support networks, and lived-experience initiatives across Donegal.

Irish Music Month: Local Hero Finalist Rian McCauley: We showcase our third finalist in the A New Local Hero talent search as part of Irish Music Month. Singer-songwriter Rian McCauley joins Greg in the studio for a chat, performing live acoustic tracks—including his official competition entry single.

Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news:

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Wednesday | 16/09/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we address anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim graffiti in Donegal and Dublin, debate the sexualisation of women in sports media, and continue our Irish Music Month local talent showcase.

Inside Today’s Episode:

Condemning Hate Graffiti in Fanad & Dublin: We examine recent vandalism featuring anti-Irish and anti-Muslim sentiment in Fanad, along with anti-immigrant graffiti in Dublin:

Fanad Community Reaction: Local Councillor Declan Meehan firmly condemns the discriminatory graffiti in Fanad, emphasizing community solidarity. Local GP Dr Moazzam joins the show to discuss the personal and social impact of such hate messaging on local residents and health professionals.

Dungloe Vandalism Denounced: Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig joins the conversation, offering sharp criticism of anti-immigrant slogans appearing in his area and calling for a unified stance against racism across Ireland.

Controversy Over Sydney Sweeney’s Sports Ad: Journalist and author Kathy Donaghey chats with Greg about the international backlash surrounding actor Sydney Sweeney’s latest promotional campaign. Kathy analyzes criticisms raised by prominent female athletes who argue that the advert’s sexualized imagery diminishes female sports achievements and undermines progress in women’s athletics.

Community Garda Information: Garda Gráinne Doherty delivers this week’s frontline brief, sharing the latest public safety appeals, crime prevention advice, and road safety alerts from Donegal Gardaí.

Irish Music Month: Local Hero Finalists ‘The Hopeful Kind’: We continue our A New Local Hero talent search as part of Irish Music Month. Indie-pop duo The Hopeful Kind drop into the studio as our second finalists for a chat with Greg, performing live in-studio and showcasing their official competition entry track.

Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news:

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Tuesday | 15/09/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on the DL Debate, Brendan Devenney recaps the club championship action with Gary McDaid and John Gildea. He is also joined by Donegal Senior Hurling Manager Mickey McCann who has signed up for a tenth year plus they’ll preview this coming weekends county hurling finals, and Eddie Crawford the Donegal Masters manager reflects on their All Ireland success.

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

The post The DL Debate – 14/09/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we cover a narrow escape following a bus hijacking in Strabane, national political analysis on Donald Trump’s visit, local infrastructure debates in Letterkenny, and the launch of our Irish Music Month finalist showcases.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the program with a scan of the local and national front pages, catching up on the leading regional and national news stories breaking today.

Miraculous Escape in Omagh Bus Hijacking: Councillor Brian Barney Harte joins Greg  following the hijacking of a bus that ended up in Strabane over the weekend. Cllr Harte describes the tense aftermath and outlines the fortunate, miraculous circumstances that prevented serious injuries to passengers, crew, or bystanders.

Political Fallout from Donald Trump’s Visit: Irish Examiner political correspondent Peter Kelly breaks down the political reaction and diplomatic fallout following US President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Ireland, analyzing international optics, policy impacts, and key takeaways for the government.

Senior Championship Action & The DL Debate: Brendan Devenney stops by to review the weekend’s high-stakes GAA club championship matches across Donegal. Brendan sets the stage for tonight’s edition of The DL Debate, previewing tactical setups and key match-ups as teams push deeper into the knockout stages.

Motion to Pause Letterkenny Active Travel Works: Councillor Ciarán Brogan explains his motion calling for an immediate pause on planned Active Travel infrastructure works across Letterkenny. Cllr Brogan discusses growing frustration from local traders, commuters, and residents over severe traffic gridlock, calling for a comprehensive review of roadworks and traffic management before further phases proceed.

Misuse of Deposit Return Machines: Listener Phyllis calls in to highlight her frustration at local Deposit Return Scheme machines. Phyllis calls for clearer guidelines or strict usage caps after witnessing individuals taking up multiple machines simultaneously, creating lengthy delays for other public users.

E-Scooter Enforcement in Letterkenny: Listener Eunan voices concerns over the apparent lack of compliance and enforcement surrounding new e-scooter legislation across Letterkenny, pointing to dangerous riding on footpaths, lack of protective gear, and disregard for basic rules of the road.

Donegal’s ‘Most Dangerous Junction’ Concerns: Listener Anne calls into the show to highlight urgent safety fears regarding the crossroads in Kilmacrennan, labelling it one of the most hazardous junctions in the county and demanding immediate engineering and safety interventions from local authorities.

Irish Music Month: Local Hero Finalist Cillian McCann McLaughlin: We launch our A New Local Hero finalist showcases as part of Irish Music Month. Newtowncunningham singer-songwriter Cillian McCann McLaughlin drops into the studio for a chat with Greg. Cillian performs two live acoustic tracks in-studio, including his official competition entry single, Peace of Mind.

Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news:

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Monday | 14/09/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we kick off the weekend with The Friday Panel tackling international state visit costs, centralizing health spending, rising fuel prices, and artificial intelligence, alongside 9/11 anniversary reflections, Irish Music Month showcases, and local entertainment events.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Friday Panel: Author and journalist Kathy Donaghey, Seamus McDaid (Head of Football Special), and Cian O’Hagan (Ógra Sinn Féin Donegal) join Greg for an extensive first-hour debate on the week’s biggest headlines:

State Visit Costs: The panel debates whether Irish taxpayers should bear the financial burden and security costs associated with an official visit from US President Donald Trump.

Centralized HSE Spending: Following announcements from Minister Jack Chambers, the guests weigh in on decision-making powers being centralized away from regional HSE boards and what it means for local healthcare services.

Fuel Prices & Cost of Living: The panel examines whether €2 per litre for petrol and diesel is becoming the permanent new baseline, discussing the economic ripple effects on commuters and hauliers across the North West.

The Rise of AI: The guests debate the societal and economic threats posed by artificial intelligence, from workforce disruption to digital safety and ethical regulation.

The Greg Hughes Podcast Preview: We preview the latest full episode of The Greg Hughes Podcast, out today, featuring acclaimed actor Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh. Niall drops in to talk about his life on stage and screen, from his Gaeltacht roots in Rann na Feirste to iconic roles across Irish drama.

Irish Music Month Local Hero Finalists: As part of Irish Music Month, Greg unveils the final four local artists shortlisted for the Highland Radio Local Hero competition, highlighting the exceptional talent across Donegal’s music scene and explaining how listeners can support them.

Reflections on 9/11: Former NYPD officer and Donegal native Paul McCormack joins the show to share personal memories and reflections. Paul looks back on his time in service during the September 11 attacks, discussing the lasting impact on first responders and how the tragedy is remembered today.

Big Highland Bingo Party Night Launch: Corrine drops into the studio to announce the official launch of the Big Highland Bingo Party Night, giving listeners all the details on what to expect for the upcoming event in November and how to secure tickets.

Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news:

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Friday | 11/09/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

From the Gaeltacht village of Rann na Feirste to the fictional shores of Ros na Rún, this week’s guest is a titan of Irish-language media whose career spans over three decades on stage, screen, and behind the camera.

Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh joins the podcast to reflect on a remarkable life in storytelling. Best known to millions as John Joe Daly—a role he inhabited for roughly 24 years on TG4’s flagship drama—Niall opens up about the tight-knit community of Donegal actors in An Spidéal and how a chance encounter watching a live stage play in his hometown at age 13 sparked a lifelong devotion to drama.

We trace his journey from starting out as a theatre prompter in Donegal in 1973 to multi-hyphenate creative work, including writing, directing, and producing the 1990s comedy series C.U. Burn through his company Lios na Si. Niall also discusses his recent screen work, including the 2024 crime series Crá, Aontas, and his dual-language voice acting debut as the Giant Deer in the 2025 animated Christmas short Nollaí.

An inspiring, funny, and deeply engaging conversation celebrating Gaeltacht culture and a legendary career in broadcasting.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast Ep38 : Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh: A Life in Stage and Screen appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on The Score…

Former Finn Harps captain Gareth Harkin joins us for our weekly League of Ireland chat to look ahead to the games for Finn Harps and Derry City plus the current Bonagee United skipper will also preview his sides tie with Lucan Utd in the National League.

We hear from Donegal man Tony McCarry who goes to the Community Games National AGM this weekend as the President nomination and Donegal Rally driver Oisin McShane is in Portugal this week gaining experience of a rally on the international scene while also testing a Rally 4 Peugeot.

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