The Greg Hughes Show

On today’s show, we balance the immediate concerns of public health and infrastructure with the local stories and events shaping the week in Donegal.

Schools & Faith: The Multi-Denominational Debate

As Educate Together calls for an increase in multi-denominational schools across the county, Alan Hynes, CEO of the Catholic Education Partnership, joins Greg to discuss the future of local education.

How would the divesting process actually work in Donegal?

We look at the results of a recent parental survey on religion in the classroom.

What does this mean for the traditional patronage of our local schools?

Donegal on Track: The Fight for Rail

Richard Logue from the Western Track Group joins the program to discuss the latest efforts to bring rail back to the Northwest. Following a series of high-level meetings, we look at what needs to happen to finally connect Donegal to the national rail network.

The Hidden Crisis: Energy Poverty

We dive into the findings of the ‘Energy Poverty and Affordability in Ireland’ report. One of the report’s authors joins Greg to discuss the struggle many households face in the current climate and the specific impact on rural affordability.

The National Children’s Hospital: A Father’s Concern

Aaron Daily, father of Sophia, shares his perspective on the ongoing delays and spiralling costs of the National Children’s Hospital. He questions whether the facility will truly be fit for purpose for children with complex medical needs by the time the doors finally open.

Health & Society

Addiction in Donegal: Stephen McLoughlin of the White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre in Muff discusses a worrying surge in cocaine addiction within the county and the pressure on local recovery services.

Engines for a Cause: Keith Gamble previews this year’s Bear Run 74, which brings a spectacular convoy of cars to Donegal this Friday and Saturday.

Business Matters: Chris Ashmore joins Greg for a quick look at what’s coming up on this week’s Business Matters podcast.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Thursday 30/04/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today’s show navigates a complex range of local and national issues, from the ongoing battle for fair redress for Donegal homeowners to the future of community healthcare and the science of women’s health.

In This Episode:

The Newspaper Review: We kick off with a look at the front pages and the stories making waves across the country and the Northwest.

Support for Ukraine: Max, who moved to Ireland from Ukraine five years ago, joins Greg to discuss government proposals to reduce supports for refugees. He offers a unique perspective on why many displaced people have sought refuge in Ireland rather than moving to supposedly “safer” regions within Ukraine.

The Defective Concrete Block (DCB) Crisis: * Cllr Liam Blaney doubles down on his criticism of the 100% Redress Party, defending his claims that successful cases under the scheme are being overlooked and reiterating his stance on the political landscape surrounding the crisis.

Hugh’s Story: We hear the devastating reality behind the figures. Affected homeowner Hugh shares his personal struggle, revealing he is currently facing a shortfall of over €100,000 under the current redress scheme.

Buncrana Nursing Unit: John Joe McGowan, Integrated Services Lead for the HSE, joins the program to address growing concerns regarding the Buncrana Nursing Unit project. He answers tough questions on the project’s handling and provides an update on what the future holds for the facility.

Community Appeal: Listener Elaine makes an urgent appeal following the theft of a family quad bike from their property in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Menstrual Health & Physical Activity: We speak with a PhD researcher from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) about her groundbreaking study into how the menstrual cycle influences women’s physical activity and overall quality of life.

Gardening Q&A: Spring is in the air! Paul McLaughlin joins Greg in the studio for our very first Gardening Q&A of 2026, answering your questions on how to get your garden ready for the season ahead.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Wednesday 29/04/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

The Greg Hughes Show: Headlines & Heart Health Tuesday, April 28, 2026

In today’s program, we dive into a complex legal battle facing therapists, react to local acts of vandalism, and look ahead to a major North-West fashion event.

The Ethics of Evidence

Bairbre Kelly of Therapists Against Harm joins Greg to discuss a growing crisis in the Irish legal system. She argues that current mandates requiring therapists to hand over private clinical notes as “evidence” to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in sexual assault cases are undermining the foundation of therapeutic trust. Kelly believes therapists are being forced into an impossible choice between their ethical duty to the client and their legal obligations.

Local Community News & Reaction

Vandalism in Strabane: Following the recent defacement of a war memorial in the town, Reverend Shaun McClafferty of the Royal British Legion (Strabane branch) shares his reaction and discusses the impact of such acts on the local community.

Buncrana Hospital Concerns: Cllr Fionán Bradley speaks out following news that planned refurbishment works at Buncrana Community Hospital may lead to a reduction in bed capacity, sparking fears over local healthcare access.

Community Garda Information: Garda Shaun Sweeney is in the studio for our weekly segment with the latest appeals and information from Donegal Gardai.

Health & Literature

Heart Failure Awareness: Letterkenny University Hospital’s Heart Failure Nurse joins the show to demystify the condition. We discuss the importance of recognizing early warning signs—such as shortness of breath and persistent fatigue—and the support available for patients in the county.

“Dirty Dancing” – Journalist Ellen Coyle has released a book about the Irish Dance scandal of ’22-’23. Ellen joins Greg to discuss Dirty Dancing: The Inside Story of the Irish Dancing Cheating Scandal

Style & Entertainment

Sandra Devenney of the iconic McElhinney’s of Ballybofey gives us a preview of this Thursday’s highly anticipated online world fashion show. Whether you’re looking for seasonal trends or occasion wear, Sandra tells us what to expect from this digital runway experience.

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The Greg Hughes Show: Rural Medicine, Road Safety, and the Drive for Tourism

Welcome to the podcast catch-up for Monday, April 27th, 2026. Today’s episode is a deep dive into the heart of Donegal life—from the challenges of rural healthcare to the urgent need for safer roads and a vision for the future of our tourism industry.

Healthcare in the Heart of the Community

We begin with an insightful conversation on the state of rural medicine. Ramelton GP Dr. Ciarán Ó Fearraigh joins Greg to discuss the unique reality of being a country doctor. While he highlights the “many highs” of building deep-rooted community connections, he doesn’t shy away from the lows.

The Big Question: How do we attract the next generation of doctors to rural practice?

The Modern Perspective: Caller Aoife, coming from a family of GPs, weighs in with a vital perspective on the evolution of the profession, arguing that the shift toward a better work-life balance for modern GPs is a necessary and positive change.

A Tragic Weekend: Road Safety in Focus

It has been a devastating weekend on Ireland’s roads. Debbie Mullan, Chair of Road Victims Support Northern Ireland and Donegal, joins the show for a poignant reflection on the human cost of these tragedies.

Following this, Ciaran Cannon from Cycling Ireland discusses a recent EU-wide survey that paints a concerning picture of the dangers facing cyclists. We explore what needs to change—both in infrastructure and driver behavior—to keep everyone safe.

Sport: Donegal v Down & The DL Debate

The local rivalry was in full swing this weekend. Brendan Devenney is in studio to break down the action from Donegal v Down.

We hear listener reactions to the performance.

Get a sneak peek at what’s coming up on this evening’s DL Debate Podcast.

Tourism: Beyond the Summer Season

Can Donegal transition from a seasonal hotspot to a year-round destination? We speak with Carolyn Murray, the newly appointed Chair of the Donegal Irish Hotels Federation. We discuss the strategic moves needed to sustain our hospitality sector through the winter months and the unique charm Donegal offers outside of the traditional “peak” window.

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Monday | 27/04/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

It’s the Friday Panel! This week, Donal is joined by Ben Harkin (Author and Chair of Ógra Fianna Fail in Donegal), Pat McArt (Columnist and former editor of the Derry Journal), and Thomas Pringle (former Independent TD for Donegal) to dissect the week’s biggest headlines.

Inside This Episode:

Leo Varadkar’s remarks: Has the former Taoiseach’s comments about urban areas subsiding rural communities sparked an unnecessary urban/rural divide?

Cross Border education: What impact will job losses at Ulster University have on the potential for third level cooperation between Donegal and Northern Ireland?

Social Media comments: In light of the online vitriol directed against Senator Eileen Flynn this week, should social media companies be subject to the same rules as newspapers and terrestrial broadcasters?.

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Magdelen Rogers, CEO of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland tells us that services in Letterkenny are improving, but more needs to be done in the North West.

We preview the latest episode of The Greg Hughes Podcast, with Greg talking to Inver’s Dr Peter Coyle about his contribution to the successful return of the Apollo 11 crew after the first moon landing.

Director of Services Garry Martin briefs us on a large overnight wild fire in Inishowen, and Will Mitchell of My Waste speaks about their latest publicity campaign highlighting the need to eradicate the use of ten banned single use products.

Finally, on the Scroll Patrol, Shannen Wilken discusses the online exploits of Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and more.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Friday 24/04/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In 1969, the heat of re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere reached nearly 3,000°C. Protecting the Apollo 11 astronauts from incinerating was a heat shield coated in a specialized resin—a resin developed by a young chemist from Inver, County Donegal.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Peter Coyle as he approaches his 89th birthday. Despite being a self-described “small cog in a big wheel,” Peter’s work at Dow Chemical on Epoxy Novolac was a linchpin in the success of the Moon Shot. We trace his journey from the University of Minnesota to the inner circles of NASA’s technical suppliers, exploring a time when physical chemistry and human grit mattered more than the limited digital tools of the day.

What We Discuss:

From South Donegal to the Space Race: The “spark” that led a young man from Inver to the United States in the 1950s and 60s.

Engineering Under Pressure: Developing the heat shield resin without the aid of modern supercomputers and the daily atmosphere of the NASA-adjacent labs.

The Apollo 11 Re-entry: The moment Peter realized his specific chemical formulations were the only thing standing between the astronauts and the vacuum of space.

The Diplomacy of Pride: The story behind the 1969 visit of the U.S. Defense Attaché to Donegal to honor Peter’s mother, Florence Dunleavy.

A View from 2026: How the man who helped build the foundations of space travel views the modern Artemis missions and the future of solar innovation.

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Donal Kavanagh’s in the hotseat once again today.

In This Episode:

Education and Child Welfare : We begin with an invitation from Rene O’Malley of the National Parents Council to a series of online presentations on Bullying. The potential impact of job cuts at Ulster University’s Magee College in Derry is highlighted by Norman Hagan, Chair of the University and Colleges Union UU branch, and we discuss parental alienation with Paul Anderson of Putting Kids First Always and barrister Brendan Guildea. Meanwhile, Hugh Friel, Roma Health Coordinator in Donegal discusses a study on how Traveller children are discriminated against in schools

Crossing Over : Former journalist Anne Cadwallader joins Donal in studio to discuss her new novel ‘Crossing Over’, set in Belfast but with some scenes in Donegal where Anne spends a lot of her time.

Under the Sea and Business Matters: Aoibheann Gillespie-Mules previews a screening of the film ‘Who Needs Anemones?’ in Buncrana at the weekend, and  Chris Ashmore drops in with the latest business news and a look ahead to this week’s Business Matters podcast.

The Greg Hughes Show – keeping you across the stories that matter in Donegal.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Thursday 23/04/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

With Donal standing in for Greg, the review of the papers is followed by a look at some of the issues raised at a meeting of the Donegal Community Safety Partnership.

Cllr Michael McClafferty  expresses concern that three years after the issue was discussed by the previous Joint Policing Committee, there is no sniffer dog deployed in Donegal, and Superintendent Siobhan Mollohan discusses figures she presented to the meeting. and also the changing structures of Garda management in the county.

Ruth Breslin, Director of the Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Initiative looks at loopholes which allow the open advertisement of sex work online, and Adi Roche of Chernobyl Children International discusses the 40th anniversary of the world’s worst nuclear accident.

Sharon tells  us of her sleepless night as a gorse fire outside Letterkenny got dangerously close to her home last night, while taxi driver Anthony argues that a planned new bus station and transport hub in Letterkenny should be located at the old Oatfield factory site rather than the old bacon factory as is currentl;y planned.

Our Wellness Wednesday slot sees breast cancer survivor Lorraine Smyth outline how she helped develop the ‘Lymph Active’ app designed to prevent the spread of Lymphoedema

The show finishes with musicians Roisin Mc Groary, Deirdre Mc Groary, Paul Harrigan and Jack Houston in studio to preview the Feile na hInse in Buncrana this coming weekend.

The Greg Hughes Show—keeping you across the stories that matter in Donegal.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Wednesday 22/04/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Donal Kavanagh is standing in for Greg once again.

Following our morning look at the newspapers, we hear from Buncrana, where Cllr Fionán Bradley and Maureen Loughrey Tolley outline the progress made their meeting with the HSE to discuss the future of Buncrana Community Nursing Unit. They’re told the unit won’t close, and will retain 41 beds rather than dropping to 30 as had been suggested.

The campaign for the use of Irish placenames is highlighted, with Aodhdán O’Deá of Conradh na Gaeilge outlining hoe it’s progressing, while Environmentalist and Emeritus Professor at Maynooth University John Sweeney previews his talk on the climate crisis at Letterkenny’s Central Library on Thursday evening.

The risk of home repairs related scams is highlighted by Gillian Deveraux, a Senior Loss Adjustor at Avivia, and Sgt Eunan Walsh joins us for the Community Garda Information feature.   

Ryan Doherty outlines his belief that a new transport hub in Letterkenny must make provision for  tourist coaches, Sinn Fein Education Spokesperson Darren O’Rourke argues for the creation of an Oireachtas Committee on Inclusive Education, and podcaster Lochlainn Harte discusses his podcast ‘Snap – The John McEnroe Default Saga’, exploring how the most volatile tennis player of his era was deemed to have gone too far.

Listen Back: Missed any part of the show? Catch the full podcast on the link below.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Tuesday 21/04/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Donal Kavanagh is in the hot seat this morning.

Following our morning look at the headlines, David Fitzgerald , CEO of the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland discusses the need for a continuous insurance policy to be introduced to tackle the rise in uninsured drivers on Irish roads.

Aine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service speaks about the importance of designating an Enduring Power of Attorney, and previews a public meeting and information day next month in Ballybofey.

Brendan Devenney previews tonight’s DL debate which comes live from the St Eunan’s Clubhouse at O’Donnell Park ahead of the Championship clash with Down at the weekend. We also discus the growth of hurling in Donegal.

Lisa McDaniel, Donegal County Council’s Community Water Officer speaks to us about a public meeting in Falcarragh this week to discuss water quality in local rivers and lakes, stressing that the local community are the council’s eyes and ears.

Cllr Declan Meehan discusses the imminent formation of a Town Team in Rathmullan, while Cllr Pauric McGarvey discusses vandalism at the public toilets in Ramelton, which has led to a decision to close them from 5pm daily from now on.

We conclude with a conversion with Fr Brian O’Fearraigh marking a year since the destruction of St Mary’s Church, Derrybeg in a fire in the early hours of Easter Monday last year.

Listen back to the full show below :

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