The Greg Hughes Show

The engine notes will soon be echoing off the hills, the ditches will be lined with fans, and the biggest weekend in Irish motorsport is about to get underway!

Welcome to a special, standalone edition of The Greg Hughes Podcast, dedicated entirely to the absolute crown jewel of the Irish rallying calendar—The Donegal International Rally. Whether you are a die-hard petrolhead heading out to the ditches, a driver fine-tuning your pace notes, or a local navigating the weekend, this will be your ultimate all-access preview guide.

Inside This Special Episode:

The Stages & The Shakedown: Our Sports Editor Oisín Kelly, Chairman of the Donegal Motor Club Brian Brogan, and Clerk of the Course Eamonn McGee will dive deep into the competitive side of the weekend. They will break down the grueling 2026 stages, analyze the mechanical setups required for Donegal’s unique tarmac, and offer their predictions on who will have the pace to claim the ultimate bragging rights on the ramp.

Safety, Logistics & Letterkenny Business: We will shift focus from the stages to the massive operational effort required to keep the county safe and moving. Garda Inspector Paul McGee, Council Area Roads Engineer David McIlwaine, and Leonard Watson from the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce will outline the comprehensive policing strategy, safety zones, and traffic management systems. Crucially, they will share a vital message for the weekend: Letterkenny will be fully open for business, highly accessible, and ready for an incredible atmosphere.

Turn the volume up, hit subscribe, and get the ultimate lowdown before the cars leave the start ramp!

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast |Bonus EP| The 2026 Donegal International Rally Special appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we bring you a devastating update on the future of one of Donegal’s flagship music festivals, upcoming changes to local urban speed limits, and an extensive, multi-agency preview of the logistics and sports action ahead of this weekend’s Donegal International Rally.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the broadcast with a review of the front pages, tracking the leading national and regional headlines driving the day’s conversation.

Public Consultation on Urban Speed Limits: Cllr. Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, joins the show to discuss major proposed changes to urban speed limits across the county. With the public consultation window officially opening this coming Monday, he outlines what areas will be impacted and heavily encourages the public to engage and submit their feedback.

Devastating Blow for the Rory Gallagher Festival: In a shocking development for the local music scene, festival founder and organizer Barry O’Neill reveals that the globally renowned Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon will not go ahead next year. He opens up about the catastrophic fallout from the sudden collapse and liquidation of ticketing platform Tickets.ie, which has left the volunteer-led, non-profit festival hundreds of thousands of euro in debt and fighting for its survival.

The Donegal International Rally — Sports & Driver Preview: Excitement is reaching a fever pitch across the northwest. Our Sports Editor Oisín Kelly, Chairman of the Donegal Motor Club Brian Brogan, and Clerk of the Course Eamonn McGee dive deep into the competitive side of this weekend’s event. They map out the grueling stages for 2026 and debate who is tipped to top the podium.

Rally Logistics, Policing & Business Access: We shift focus to the massive operational infrastructure keeping the county moving safely this weekend. Garda Inspector Paul McGee, Council Area Roads Engineer David McIlwaine, and Leonard Watson of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce discuss the comprehensive policing strategy, crowd control, and traffic management systems in place. Crucially, they issue a reminder that Letterkenny remains fully open for business, accessible, and ready to welcome fans and shoppers alike.

The post The Greg Hughes Show |Thursday| 18/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we bring you a highly charged legislative debate on abortion laws, an emotional update from the Creeslough families on their journey to Dublin, a major protest within the Donegal legal sector, and a massive breakthrough for a local family battling a rare illness.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the morning with our signature look at the front pages of the local and national newspapers, tracking the top stories shaping the news agenda.

The Three-Day Abortion Reflection Period Debate: Ahead of a crucial Dáil vote, Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane and Mary T. Sweeney of Pro-Life Donegal join Greg for a heated head-to-head debate. They lock horns over Sinn Féin’s legislative proposals to completely remove the mandatory three-day waiting period currently required for an abortion in Ireland.

The Journey for a Creeslough Public Inquiry: Hugh Harper and Christine Evans drop into the studio live on their way to Dublin. They discuss their high-profile trip to meet national public representatives as they ramp up their relentless campaign demanding a full, independent public inquiry into the Creeslough tragedy.

Solicitors Strike Over Legal Aid Pay: Well-known Donegal solicitor Rory O’Brien joins the show to explain a unprecedented move in the local justice system. He breaks down why Donegal solicitors are joining colleagues nationwide in withdrawing key court and legal aid services today, protesting decades of stagnant state pay rates.

Miracle Drug Breakthrough for Aaron Langan: We cover a major breakthrough in the global fight against rare muscle-wasting diseases. Families across the country have been fiercely campaigning for access to the groundbreaking drug Givinostat. Having heavily championed the case of young Aaron Langan from Laghey on the show before, we speak to his dad, Dermott Langan, to get his reaction to the news that this life-altering drug may soon be made available in Ireland.

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Wednesday | 17/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In this episode, we sit down with rally legend Garry Jennings for a conversation that is as harrowing as it is inspiring. After a horror crash at the 2025 Cavan Stages Rally left him fighting for his life, Garry’s future in the sport—and his future, period—was hanging in the balance.

Today, he joins us to share the story of his survival. We discuss the crash, his experience of “serenity” while trapped in the wreckage, and the gruelling physical and emotional road to recovery that followed. From being told he might never drive again to defying medical odds to compete in this year’s Donegal International Rally, Garry’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Incident: A candid look back at the May 2025 crash at the Cavan Stages Rally, including the moments leading up to the accident and the life-saving intervention by fellow competitors.

The “Serenity” of Survival: Garry opens up about the surreal mental state he experienced while trapped in the vehicle before being brought back to consciousness.

Road to Recovery: The immense physical challenge of overcoming life-threatening injuries and the vital importance of the rehabilitation process.

The Mental Toll: How Garry navigated the emotional aftermath of the accident and the psychological battle to get back behind the wheel.

Looking Forward: His return to the rally circuit and what it means to be lining up at the start line of this year’s Donegal International Rally after such a life-altering event.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast | Ep 25: Garry Jennings: The Crash, The Recovery, The Return appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we hear a terrifying warning about vitamin overdosing, discuss the painful erosion of services in rural Donegal, raise critical road safety concerns, look ahead to a massive policing operation, and finish with a brilliant live studio session from a social media phenomenon.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We kick off the program by reviewing the front pages of the local and national newspapers to see what stories are driving the conversation today.

The Hidden Danger of Vitamin Overdosing: Derry woman Bernie Quigley joins Greg to share a startling health warning. After experiencing concerning symptoms, medical tests revealed she had developed dangerously high, toxic levels of Vitamin B12 in her system. She shares her story to raise awareness about the unregulated consumption of high-dose supplements.

The Loss of Doochary National School: Councillor Micheál Mac Giolla Easbuig voices his deep anger and sadness over the closure of the National School in Doochary. He argues that this is just the latest vital asset to be stripped away from the locality, highlighting a devastating trend of rural depopulation and service cuts across West Donegal.

Raphoe to Convoy Road Safety Appeal: Local listener Kenneth contacts the show following a recent road traffic collision on the Raphoe to Convoy road. He explains how the crash heavily underscores long-standing community anxieties regarding this stretch of road and reiterates the urgent need for structural safety improvements before more lives are endangered.

Community Garda Information & Rally Policing: Garda Sergeant Eunan Walsh is live in studio with our weekly community crime and witness appeals. Crucially, he also breaks down the scale of the massive, high-visibility policing operation being deployed across the county for this weekend’s highly anticipated Donegal International Rally, issuing a stern warning regarding road safety and anti-social behavior.

Live Music with ‘Gig in a Gaff’: We close out the morning on a high note with Aaron, Ciarán, and Matthew, the brains behind the massively viral music initiative Gig in a Gaff. They chat about how they came up with the novel concept of bringing full-scale concerts directly into ordinary living rooms and kitchens, before treating us to a fantastic live performance in the studio.

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Tuesday | 16/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we address a massive local uproar over a pier jumping ban, analyze Donegal’s tough championship road ahead, track a frustrating ongoing water outage, raise vital medical awareness, and look at the alarming link between major sporting tournaments and domestic violence.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We kick off the week with our signature digest of the national and local newspapers, tracking the leading stories dominating the headlines today.

The Portnablagh Pier Jumping Ban: A controversial council decision to ban pier jumping from the popular Portnablagh Pier has sparked massive debate. We open the phone lines to listeners to voice the pros and cons. The response was unprecedented, with callers raising deep concerns that this traditional summer activity could soon be outlawed at piers right across the county, balancing public safety liability against local summer culture.

Rebuilding for Dublin & The Road to the All-Ireland: Our GAA analyst Brendan Devenney is live in studio to reflect on Donegal’s tough defeat to Cork in Ballybofey. He breaks down where things went wrong, assesses our critical upcoming Round 3 clash against Dublin, and outlines exactly what tactical adjustments Jim McGuinness’s men need to make if they want to stay in the hunt for the All-Ireland Championship.

St. John’s Park Water Outage: Local caller David vents his frustration over a serious water burst in the St. John’s Park area. Despite being reported early on Saturday, the leak still hasn’t been fixed, leaving residents stranded without a reliable supply well into Monday.

Raising Awareness for Lipoedema: Aileen Duffy from the Lipoedema Support Network Ireland joins Greg to shed light on Lipoedema, a chronic condition causing a painful build-up of fat cells, typically in the legs and arms, which is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity. She discusses the challenges patients face in Ireland ahead of a major national conference taking place in Cork later this year.

Sport and Domestic Violence Trends: Karol Balfe from ActionAid Ireland joins the show to discuss a deeply worrying global and national trend. She highlights the sharp, statistically proven increase in incidents of domestic and gender-based violence that occurs around major sporting tournaments, discussing what needs to be done to protect vulnerable people during these high-emotion periods.

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Monday | 15/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we dissect a volatile week of protests in Belfast, preview an inspiring long-form interview, launch a massive cultural calendar with international diplomats, and brace for a heavyweight clash in Ballybofey.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Friday Panel: Greg is joined in studio by Cllr Ciarán Brogan, Paddy Rooney, and Professor Pat O’Connor for an intense and unfiltered debate. They dissect the recent escalating tensions and subsequent protests in Belfast. The segment sparked a massive live response on the text lines, with listeners weighing in heavily on the political fallout, cross-border community relations, and what these demonstrations signal for stability across the region.

The Greg Hughes Podcast Preview: We look ahead to this week’s long-form podcast drop featuring guest Carolynn Murray. Greg plays an exclusive preview clip detailing Carolynn’s deeply moving and inspiring journey—exploring how she navigated through immense personal tragedy to rebuild her life and carve out a path to true success.

Errigal Arts Festival 2026 Launch: A major boost for the Northwest cultural scene. His Excellency Mr. Artur Michalski is in Donegal to officially unveil the vibrant 2026 Earagail Arts Festival brochure and programme. He drops into the studio to chat about the incredible 15-day lineup of music, theatre, and circus acts hitting the county this July, highlighting the international and local cultural connections to this year’s launch.

Heavyweight GAA Preview: The countdown is officially on for tomorrow’s massive All-Ireland Senior Football Championship clash between Donegal and Cork at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey. Mary Coughlan, Chairperson of the Donegal GAA County Board, joins Greg to look ahead to the logistics, the anticipated atmosphere in the twin towns, and the high stakes for Jim McGuinness’s men on home soil.

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Friday | 12/06/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In this episode, we sit down with Carolynne Murray, Director & General Manager of the Shandon Hotel & Spa and Chairperson of the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation.

Carolynne’s journey is one of remarkable resilience. Growing up in Derry, she learned early on that true strength is often found in the quiet sacrifices made by parents to create a better future. Her path to leadership was shaped by immense personal challenges in her youth, forcing her to develop independence and a firm belief that your beginnings do not dictate your destination.

Today, Carolynne shares her perspective on modern leadership, the importance of fostering regional excellence in the Northwest, and why she now views every professional decision through the lens of legacy. We discuss how navigating life’s most difficult chapters has shifted her focus from traditional achievements to the values of safety, kindness, and security she hopes to instill in her daughters.

In this episode, we cover:

The Power of Perspective: How a childhood memory—a simple tracksuit—became a lifelong symbol of possibility and sacrifice.

Leading Through Adversity: How Carolynne’s early personal losses forged her capacity to think independently and lead with empathy.

Beyond the Resume: Why she believes professional titles take a backseat to the legacy of being a positive role model for her children.

Regional Pride: Why the Northwest is a hub for excellence and why she is passionate about proving that ambition isn’t just for capital cities.

Strength & Kindness: Her philosophy on how to hold space for both high-level business goals and the human element of leadership.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast | Ep 23: Carolynne Murray – Strength Forged in Loss appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: Donna-Marie Doherty kicks off the show with our daily scan of the front pages as the national and local papers hit the shelves.

The Cost of Underinsurance: Gillian Devereux, Insurance Adjuster at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC, joins the show to discuss a worrying trend of people underinsuring their properties and paying a devastating financial price when they need to make a claim.

Hospital Road Bottleneck Fears: John Hegarty of Sean Hegarty & Sons Haulage Limited raises serious safety concerns over the newly configured road by the hospital, warning it is now far too narrow to allow emergency vehicles to pass if two large lorries meet on the route.

Council & Transport Backing: Cllr Donal “Mandy” Kelly weighs in on the hospital road gridlock, revealing that local bus operators share the exact same anxieties and confirming that a high-level meeting has been organized with the Roads Director of Donegal County Council to find a solution.

A Plea for Peace: Bishop Donal McKeown issues a powerful call for calm, unity, and reconciliation in the wake of recent riots and civil unrest in Belfast and Derry.

Bringing Uber to Donegal: Cllr Micheal Naughton outlines his campaign to bring ride-hailing and taxi apps like Uber into the county, explaining to Donna-Marie how it could inject vital new life into South Donegal’s nighttime economy.

I Love Inishowen Day 2026: Niall McCaughan, manager of Go Visit Inishowen joins the program to flag what promises to be a spectacular celebration of the peninsula this coming Saturday, detailing the local events and community spirit on display.

Business Matters Preview: Chris Ashmore is live in studio to give us an exclusive look ahead at the key stories and local interviews featured in this week’s upcoming episode of the Business Matters podcast.

Stream the full Thursday broadcast and listen back here:

The post The Greg Hughes Show |Thursday| 11/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

A morning packed with crucial discussions on local community safety, an exclusive inside look at a historic sporting farewell, and the final call for public input on one of Donegal’s greatest natural gems.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We begin with our daily scan of the front pages as the national and local papers hit the shelves.

Future of Glenveagh National Park: Dr Emmitt Johnstone, Regional Manager of Glenveagh National Park, joins Greg live in studio. He outlines the public’s final chance to have their say on the critical Visitor Experience Development and Management Plan, while addressing ongoing staff shortages and what they mean for the overall visitor experience this season.

Katie Taylor’s Croke Park Farewell: We bring you an exclusive chat straight from the tour bus of boxing legend Katie Taylor ahead of her massive final fight in Croke Park this September. We also catch up with Donegal man Paddy Doherty, who holds the historic distinction of being the last Irish person to fight in the iconic stadium.

Illegal Taxis & Regulatory Red Tape: Solicitor Frank Murphy joins the show after representing three individuals in the Buncrana area who were found to be illegally operating a taxi service. He explains why a lack of local transport options, mixed with excessive regulatory red tape from the regulator, is fueling the problem.

Community & Education: Concerned parent Claire McGroarty issues an urgent plea to the powers that be. She highlights growing safety anxieties surrounding chaotic traffic and speed at Frosses National School, demanding immediate intervention before an accident happens.

Lifestyle & Gardening: Paul McLoughlin is back in studio to add some color to your Wednesday. He talks all things seasonal gardening and opens up the phone lines to solve our listeners’ burning green-thumb dilemmas.

Stream the full Wednesday broadcast and listen back here:

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Wednesday | 10/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.