The Greg Hughes Show

Today we address the costly plans to immortalize a beloved local shipwreck, cross-border passport regulations, domestic safety risks, and local community environmental concerns.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We kick off the program with our daily look at the front pages, reviewing the leading headlines breaking across national and local papers today.

Immortalising Bád Eddie: Mary Coyle joins Greg with an update on proposals to preserve the memory of Bunbeg’s iconic shipwreck, Bád Eddie (Cara Na Mara). With the physical wreck deteriorating on Magheraclogher Beach, plans for a permanent replacement monument or protective installation are taking shape—though turning the local landmark into a lasting sculpture comes with a steep price tag.

Devastation in Nepal: Shanker, a Letterkenny resident originally from Nepal, reacts to the catastrophic flash flooding that recently hit his home country, sharing personal updates on the disaster’s impact and the relief efforts underway.

Postcode Lottery in Cancer Care: Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane discusses new health figures highlighting stark regional disparities in cancer treatment access and waiting times across Ireland, emphasizing how patient outcomes remain heavily dependent on geographic location.

Passport Requirements for UK Travel: Travel expert Eoghan Corry outlines new regulatory measures requiring passengers traveling from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain to carry a valid passport, breaking down what these changes mean for border control, transit policies, and local travelers.

Rising Calls to the Poisons Information Centre: Dr. Edel Duggan outlines recent data showing a surge in calls to the National Poisons Information Centre. She offers practical advice for parents and caregivers on childproofing homes against household chemicals, medications, and toxic substances.

Quad Bike Abuse in Lisnagra Woods: Listener concerns are raised regarding the illegal use and anti-social abuse of Lisnagra Woods in Muff by quad bike enthusiasts. Local Councillor Terry Crossan confirms he has contacted relevant state agencies and Coillte to demand an immediate crackdown to protect the forest trails for walkers.

Letterkenny’s Illicit Tobacco Trade: We look at alarming new figures showing that an estimated 60% of cigarettes smoked in Letterkenny originate from the black market, highlighting the economic losses and law enforcement challenges surrounding illicit tobacco trading in the North West.

Business Matters Preview: Chris Ashmore stops by to deliver today’s commercial roundup and preview the latest episode of the Business Matters podcast.

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

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Today, with Donal Kavanagh in the hot seat, we remember Dolly Parton, look at the need for a dedicated Department of the Marine, hear from a young Donegal musician bound for Electric Picnic, look at the right to be forgotten for cancer patients. hear of a new Coastal Location Service, explore the issue of commercial vacancies in the Twin Towns, and hear of a Irish language diploma being taught at the ATU campus in Letterkenny.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the program with a scan through the morning newspapers, tracking the top local, regional, and national headlines breaking across the papers today.

The death of Dolly Parton: Margo O’Donnell, the Girl from Donegal remembers her friend Dolly Parton who died last evening.

Fisheries sector under pressure: Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn, the Sinn Fein Marine Spokesperson calls for a dedicated Department of the Marine, claiming there is now clear evidence that the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food is shafting the fishing sector in the interests of farming.

Electric Picnic bound: Ballyshannon singer songwriter Rian McCauley previews his EP appearance with Tinie Tempah this coming weekend, and treats us to a live performance of his song ‘Nickname’.

Right to be Forgotten: With new laws making it illegal for Mortgage Protection Insurance brokers to penalise cancer patients who have been in remission for five years, Suzanne Dowds of the Irish Cancer Society says they would like to see that extended further.

Coastal Location Indicators: Following a traumatic incident on Tramore Beach in August of last year, Cllr Brian Carr has led the campaign to have a location system developed to allow the Emergency Services get to beaches more quickly. Tomorrow, Cllr Carr launches the system developed by the council at Nairn Beach.

Vacancy rates in the Twin Towns: Martin McGowan, Chair of the Ballybofey Stranorlar Chamber of Commerce tells us of their response to a recent article based on the area’s high commercial vacancy rate.

B2 Irish Language Diploma at ATU: Tutor Caitlín Ní Bhroin and former student Liam Mac Giolla Bhríde discuss the Irish Language Diploma course offered at ATU’s Letterkenny Campus, and backed by University of Galway.

Hour 1 –

Hour 2 –

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Wednesday | 26/08/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we tackle alternative education rights for non-religious pupils, local parking charge debates, national food security, cross-border peace initiatives, and back-to-school mental health.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the program with our daily look at the front pages, tracking the leading national and regional headlines breaking across the newspapers today.

Secular Rights in Catholic Schools: Jane Donnelly from Atheist Ireland joins Greg to argue that alternative, non-religious classes must be formally provided for atheist and non-religious children during faith formation hours in Catholic primary and secondary schools, ensuring no child is left sitting idly or feeling excluded.

Buncrana Parking Charge Debates: Councillor Fionnán Bradley discusses an upcoming public consultation regarding municipal parking, stating his belief that parking charges in Buncrana should be increased to manage traffic flow, boost turnover for local businesses, and fund local infrastructure.

Strengthening Ireland’s Food Security: Listener Connell calls into the show to voice growing concerns over Ireland’s agricultural independence. He argues that given accelerating climate change, global supply chain disruptions, and shifting weather patterns, the state must take drastic measures to become more self-sufficient in food production.

Community Garda Information: Garda Feena McManamon delivers this week’s frontline brief, bringing listeners the latest local police appeals, road safety warnings, and public safety updates across Donegal.

Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Appeal: Listener Sinéad joins Greg to encourage eligible survivors and families to apply for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. She highlights concerns over low uptake rates to date and urges those affected to engage with the redress scheme before deadlines approach.

International Conference on Enforced Disappearances: Professor Élise Féron Previews a major international conference taking place in Derry focusing on enforced disappearances, bring together global experts, human rights advocates, and victim families to address historical justice and legacy issues.

Back-to-School Anxiety & Mental Health: Psychotherapist and education expert Bronagh Starrs drops into the studio to offer practical advice for parents on how to help children navigate back-to-school worries, managing anxiety, and easing the transition back into the classroom.

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

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Today we examine the public fallout following the M9 tragedy in Kildare, dropping Catholic baptism rates across Ireland, reaction to Leaving Cert results, and local arts and sports updates.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Friday Panel: Councillor Gerry McMonagle, broadcaster Mary Harte, and businesswoman Nicola Mahon join Greg in-studio for an extensive Friday discussion:

M9 Tragedy & Public Discourse: The panel reflects on the intense public commentary following last weekend’s crash in Kildare that tragically claimed the lives of five young boys, discussing community support, policing, and how such road disasters can be prevented.

Declining Catholic Baptisms: The panel reacts to new data showing a 30% drop in Catholic baptisms across Ireland, debating changing social trends, religious engagement, and secularization.

Leaving Cert Results Day: The panel offers advice and perspective to over 2,500 Donegal students receiving their Leaving Certificate results today as they prepare for the next step in their education or careers.

The Greg Hughes Podcast Preview: We play a preview clip from the latest episode of The Greg Hughes Podcast featuring local professional boxing star Jason Quigley, who opens up about his career, family, high-stakes fight politics, and future ambitions.

GAA & Allianz Boycott Campaign: Brendan Devenney outlines the latest updates on a growing campaign urging the GAA to cut sponsorship ties with Allianz over the insurance firm’s commercial connections to Israel.

Letterkenny Busking Festival Preview: Letterkenny Chamber member Jimmy Stafford and local musician Johnny Coonan drop by to preview Saturday’s Letterkenny Busking Festival, with Johnny performing a live acoustic set to kick off the weekend.

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

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This week on The Greg Hughes Podcast, Donegal boxing star Jason Quigley joins the show for an honest, wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the ring.

We dive deep into the full arc of his career—from the immense hype of his high-profile professional debut to the intensity and pressure of the big fight build-ups. Jason opens up about his shot at a world title against Demetrius Andrade, detailing what really went down in the ring, including a broken jaw early in the fight and a controversial refereeing decision on a disputed knockdown call that completely shifted the contest.

Outside the ring, Jason reflects candidly on:Family & Fundamentals: The rewarding yet complex dynamic of his relationship with his father, who coached and guided him through the formative stages of his career.The Business of Boxing: The pivotal split triggered by a missed opportunity with manager Brian Peters, and the harsh realities of navigating high-stakes boxing politics.

The New Era: His work alongside trainer Andy Lee, coaching rising star Hamzah Sheeraz, and his ongoing ambition to bring world-class boxing events back to Donegal. Whether you are a die-hard fight fan or just love a compelling story of resilience, drive, and local pride, this episode is an unmissable listen.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast Ep35 From Donegal to the World: The Real Jason Quigley Story appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we address accessibility breakdowns in public infrastructure, environmental dumping on local beaches, falling baptism rates, emergency department experiences, and practical budgeting tips.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the program with a scan of the local and national newspapers, tracking the top headlines and stories making the news today.

Accessibility Breakdown at New Changing Places Facility: Following the recent opening of the new Changing Places public toilets in Letterkenny, listener Patsy joins us to share his family’s disappointment. Patsy explains how he took his son, who has complex needs, to use the facility only to find the essential hoist out of order. We follow up on the issue and secure a firm commitment that the contractor will visit the site immediately to resolve the issue.

Environmental Outrage on Stragill Beach: Listener Patricia contacts the show to report a shocking case of illegal dumping at Stragill Beach in Inishowen, where she discovered a large quantity of discarded disposable nappies, sparking calls for stricter enforcement and community vigilance along our coastline.

Declining Baptism Rates in Ireland: Dr. Tom Finnegan, Chair of the Iona Institute, joins Greg to discuss their recent survey revealing a significant decline in the number of children being baptized across Ireland, exploring the broader societal and cultural shifts behind the numbers.

Cost-Saving Tips for Everyday Shopping: Social media influencer Orla Cusack drops into the studio to share insights from her popular online series on smart shopping, offering listeners practical, actionable tips to cut down on weekly grocery bills amidst rising living costs.

Emergency Department Pressures & Primary Care: Listener Timothy shares his recent personal experience visiting the Emergency Department. While lamenting long waiting times, Timothy praises the dedication of frontline doctors and nurses, making a strong plea for patients to consult their GP or primary care services first where appropriate to help ease pressure on the hospital.

Climate Consciousness Course for Over 55s: We highlight details of an upcoming six-week climate awareness program launching in Lifford specifically tailored for the over-55 community, focusing on practical environmental steps and the personal benefits of sustainable living.

Business Matters Preview: Chris Ashmore stops by to deliver today’s local commercial update and preview the latest episode of the Business Matters podcast.

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

The post The Greg Hughes Show |Thursday| 20/08/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we address commercial pressures on school transport operators, equine therapy for additional needs, parking vigilantes vs. accessibility, road safety concerns in Burt, and a moving reality for families impacted by defective concrete blocks.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the program with a scan through the morning newspapers, tracking the top local, regional, and national headlines breaking across the papers today.

School Transport Sustainability Crisis: Irish Farmers Journal journalist Jacqueline Hogge joins Greg to discuss growing anxieties within the private bus and school transport sector. Bus operators warn that soaring fuel costs, combined with fixed-rate contracts, are making their runs financially unsustainable ahead of the new school term.

Equine Therapy & Inclusive Community Morning: We visit the Glebe Farm Equine Centre to explore their work with children and adults with additional needs:

Expanded Services: Linda Doherty joins us from the centre to discuss their therapeutic equine programs and preview an upcoming coffee morning aimed at making their facilities even more inclusive for the community.

Camp Interactions: Caoimhe Gill from Spraoi agus Spórt shares her firsthand observations on how young participants interact with the horses during their summer camps, highlighting the physical, social, and emotional benefits of equine-assisted learning.

Blue Badges & Parking Vigilantes: A story shared by listener Mark sparks intense debate across the text lines. Mark relates how a disabled friend—currently awaiting his official blue badge—returned to his car to find it stickered by an overzealous parking vigilante for using an accessible space, raising sharp questions about public enforcement, empathy, and accessibility barriers.

Road Safety Demands in Burt: Following another serious road traffic collision in the area yesterday, local resident Mark outlines the ongoing hazards on the local road network around Burt and urges responsible authorities to implement long-overdue safety interventions before further lives are lost.

Honouring Donegal’s Emergency Responders: Dr. Gerry Lane joins Greg in-studio following his joint win with Dr. Jack Collins for the Blue Light Unsung Hero Award at the 2026 Blue Light Awards. Dr. Lane outlines the life-saving voluntary work they undertake across the region with CRITICAL, the emergency medical response charity.

Onam Celebrations in Letterkenny: Abin Joshy and Arya Satheesh drop by to preview Ponnonam Ponnarangu 2026, taking place this Sunday at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny, extending a warm invitation to the entire community to experience traditional music, dance, and festive celebrations.

The Human Toll of Defective Concrete Blocks: Councillor Ali Farren shares a poignant personal update regarding his parents, both in their 80s, who have been forced to move out of their family home to facilitate a complete rebuild under the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme, emphasizing the deep emotional strain felt by elderly residents across Donegal.

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

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Today we address urgent calls to combat drug and vape spiking, police pursuit training in the wake of the M9 tragic collision, youth diversion programs, and new cross-border e-commerce charges facing consumers.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We kick off the show with our daily scan of the regional and national headlines breaking across the papers today.

Tackling the Rise of Drink & Vape Spiking: Mary Crilly, Spokesperson for the Cork Sexual Violence Centre, joins Greg to discuss alarming increases in drink and vape spiking incidents. Mary calls for stronger legislative penalties and the urgent rollout of standardized toxicological screening in hospital emergency departments to assist victims and support prosecutions.

GRA Calls for Pursuit Training Following M9 Tragedy: Following the horrific crash on the M9 motorway near Moone, Co. Kildare, which claimed the lives of five teenage boys, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan pledged that Gardaí will receive “whatever resources” are required, including specialized pursuit training. Donegal Garda Representative Association (GRA) Spokesperson Garda Brendan O’Connor responds, highlighting that the GRA has been campaigning for high-speed tactical pursuit training for frontline officers for years to deal safely with high-risk road incidents.

Youth Justice & Lessons from Kildare: Minister of State with responsibility for Youth Justice, Catherine Ardagh TD, joins us in-studio during her visit to local youth diversion programs in the county. Minister Ardagh reflects on early intervention strategies for at-risk youth and discusses what policy lessons must be learned from the M9 tragedy.

Community Garda Information: Garda Pádraig McFadden drops into the studio for his weekly frontline brief, sharing local crime prevention alerts, road safety advice, and ongoing community policing initiatives across Donegal.

New Extra Charge on Non-EU Shopping Orders: Consumer journalist Conor Pope joins Greg to break down proposed new €2 processing charges on online shopping orders shipped from outside the EU, explaining how the fees will impact consumers buying goods online.

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

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Today we examine the fallout from a devastating road collision in Kildare, ongoing shortages in children’s dental healthcare, road safety protests in West Donegal, and a major national search for Ireland’s next musical talent.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the program with a review of the national and local headlines, focusing on the tragic road collision in Athy, County Kildare, which claimed the lives of five teenagers and left a family in a second vehicle seriously injured.

Legal & Policing Impact: Irish Independent journalist Darragh Nolan breaks down the details of the crash investigation and what the tragic case means for Garda operational protocols going forward.

Community Reaction: Chair of Athy Municipal District Council Cllr Mark Leigh joins the show to reflect on the profound shock, grief, and community support in the wake of the tragedy.

Healthcare Gaps in Children’s Dental Screening: Dr. Gerard Roarty reacts to shocking new figures revealing the staggering number of primary school children missing out on routine state dental screenings. Dr. Roarty outlines how government inaction is worsening long-term oral health and calls for urgent intervention.

The DL Debate & Tributes to James & Noreen McHugh: Brendan Devenney previews this evening’s edition of The DL Debate. The show pays a heartfelt tribute to Donegal GAA legend James McHugh and his wife Noreen following their tragic deaths, alongside a comprehensive review of the weekend’s local club championship football action.

Road Safety Demonstration on the N56: Breeda Burns from the Lettermacaward Development Group outlines why local residents will take to the N56 next month for a peaceful road safety protest, demanding urgent traffic-calming measures and engineering solutions to address speeding along the stretch.

Making Ballybofey & Stranorlar Neurodivergent-Inclusive: Yvonne Lang joins the show with an update on an ongoing community movement aimed at making the Twin Towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar more accessible, welcoming, and inclusive for neurodivergent individuals and their families.

A New Local Hero: Search for Ireland’s Next Star: Jimmy and Paul from Monday Night Sessions drop into the studio as Highland Radio officially launches its search for the region’s top music talent as part of Irish Music Month. They detail how local independent artists can submit their original tracks to compete for airplay, funding, and a spot on the national stage.

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

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Today we address critical discussions on gender equality and online abuse, celebrate historic European athletics glory for Donegal, and kick off our massive summer giveaway.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Friday Panel: Eimear McGuinness, Professor Pat O’Connor, and Dr. Michelle Maher join Greg in-studio for an extensive and wide-ranging debate:

Teaching Consent in Preschools: The panel evaluates controversial proposals calling for age-appropriate body autonomy and consent concepts to be introduced in early childhood education.

Women in Politics & Gender Quotas: The guests discuss strategies to increase female representation in Irish politics, debating whether statutory candidate quotas are the most effective path forward or if broader systemic barriers need addressing.

Online Abuse & Social Media Harassment: Following the European Athletics Championships, the panel addresses the disgraceful torrent of racial abuse directed at Irish sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke under RTÉ Facebook posts after her silver medal win, discussing platform accountability and digital hate speech enforcement.

European Athletics Champion Mark English: Fresh off his historic victory, European 800m Gold Medalist Mark English joins us live! The Finn Valley AC star and pride of Donegal reflects on taking his long-awaited European title in Birmingham, becoming Ireland’s first male individual European champion, and bringing gold back to the North West.

Highland Radio’s €20k Summer Cash Giveaway: Sean Quinn drops into the studio to conduct our very first €2,000 draw as part of Highland Radio’s Big Summer Cash Giveaway, announcing our first big winner live on air!

The Greg Hughes Podcast Preview: We feature a preview clip of this week’s episode of The Greg Hughes Podcast, featuring a candid conversation with guest Councillor Gerry McMonagle.

Live Music with Cillian McCann McLaughlin: We round out today’s show with a live performance and chat in-studio with rising local musical talent Cillian McCann McLaughlin, discussing his newest material and upcoming performances.

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

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