iRadio's Groupchat

28-year-old Emily Felix joins Valerie on iRadio’s Groupchat after another crushing delay in the decision to fund Skyclarys for people living with Friedreich’s ataxia. Emily explains what happened on July 14th, why campaigners travelled to the Dáil, and how they ended up finding out the “not yes, not no” outcome through social media, with no formal communication since. She speaks about the irrevers...

Galway footballer and primary school teacher Sean “Fitzy” Fitzgerald joins Producer Leah on iRadio’s Groupchat to spill how a TikTok piss-take turned into a fast-track ticket to the Love Island villa - and why he felt pure imposter syndrome walking in. He chats about breaking the news to his manager and family, the “should teachers go on Love Island?” debate, and the hilarious support from his cla...

With summer comes a lot of things we love - longer evenings, holidays, days at the beach - but it can also bring extra pressure around how we look and feel in our bodies.   Megan Wrenn is a yoga and meditation teacher and content creator who shares messages of body positivity online, encouraging people to embrace themselves exactly as they are.     But with a public p...

Charlene joins Producer Leah on iRadio’s Groupchat to chat about going into the Love Island villa as the “most hyped” Irish islander ever, and how that hype brought both support and pressure. She opens up about why she really went in (not just a career move), how tough modern dating feels, and what it’s like being vulnerable on camera. Charlene also talks tarot, getting her phone back to a massive...

If you've found yourself talking about Love Island contestants as if they're your own friends - or arguing online over people you've never actually met - you're definitely not alone. It's something psychologists call a parasocial relationship: a one-sided emotional connection we develop with public figures, influencers or reality TV stars.    But when does harmless entertainment bec...

Every family has its own story, and our next guest has been sharing hers with thousands of people online. Maria Merriman was adopted from Guatemala in 1997 and raised here in Ireland.   Through her TikTok videos, she's been opening up about growing up adopted, the questions she was asked as a child, exploring her Guatemalan heritage as an adult, and the realities of adoption in Ireland t...

For a lot of people, job hunting has changed massively. It’s no longer just about sending off a CV and hoping for the best - employers can now get a glimpse of who you are before you ever walk into an interview.    From LinkedIn profiles to TikTok, Instagram, online portfolios and personal projects, your digital presence can become part of your professional identity.   &nb...

Ireland is famous for its live music scene, but behind the scenes, booking musicians is often still done through texts, phone calls and spreadsheets. A new Irish start-up wants to change that.    CeolConnect is launching later this month with the aim of making it easier for venues to find, book and pay musicians - all in one place. Joining us now on iRadios Groupchat&...

I'm joined now by Clodagh McCahey who goes by CaintLeClo on Tiktok. Every day she's encouraging people to use a little more Irish in their everyday lives by teaching a new word or phrase in a fun and accessible way.    What's really interesting is that Clodagh isn't from a Gaeltacht area. She's originally from Dublin and now lives in Athlone, so her passion for the la...

Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has brought renewed attention to Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, after revealing that her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were born with SMA Type 1.   She's now campaigning for the condition to be included in the UK's newborn heel prick screening programme.    Here in Ireland, that became a reality in April, with SMA...

The sun is shining, the long evenings are here, and suddenly everyone is looking at their bank account wondering... how can I actually get away this summer without spending a fortune?    Whether you’re planning a romantic break, a weekend away with friends, a family staycation, or just looking for an affordable escape, Ireland has plenty to offer -from scenic road trips and hidden g...

Ever wonder what its like to be a reality tv star? We’re joined by someone who knows exactly what it’s like to have your every conversation, connection and awkward moment watched by millions.    Robyn Langton was one of this year’s youngest Love islanders, entering the villa at just 21. Outside of the show, she’s a quantity surveyor and DJ from Liverpool, but after weeks o...

If you're looking for your next great read, or you've been meaning to join a book club but never quite got around to it, our latest iRecommend might be just what you're after.    Content creator Eimear Geraghty recently shared a TikTok with a simple idea – creating a book club dedicated entirely to Irish books and Irish authors. Since moving to Inis Meáin, Eimear says she'...

If your social media feed has been full of wedding content this week, you're not alone.    From reports surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's hugely anticipated 4th of July  celebration in Madison Square Garden to the height of wedding season here in Ireland, weddings are very much in the spotlight.    But while celebrity weddings grab the headlines, the re...

Every Tuesday on iRadio's Groupchat, we shine a spotlight on inspiring Irish businesses, and this week we're chatting to someone who's proving age is just a number when it comes to entrepreneurship.     At just 16 years old, Cathal Sweeney from Mungret Community College in Limerick has invented the Glo Ball – a glow-in-the-dark sliotar designed to help hurle...

Cosmetic treatments are more popular than ever, with more people choosing everything from non-surgical procedures like Botox and fillers to cosmetic surgery.    At the same time, the industry is changing. Clinics are seeing new trends emerge, influenced by everything from social media and changing beauty standards to the growing use of weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Mounja...

Actor and writer Ali Hardiman is bringing her brand-new short film "That's So Feis" to this year's Galway Film Fleadh. Ali not only wrote the film but also stars in it as Gemma, a woman whose perfectly planned life is turned upside down when her fiancé leaves her. In an attempt to rebuild herself, she finds herself back in the world of Irish dancing, where she's reminded that sometimes the people...

Burnout is a word we hear all the time, but do we actually know what it is? Is it just feeling stressed and exhausted, or is there something more happening in our brains? And what if what we think is burnout is actually something as simple as not getting enough quality sleep?    Joining us now is Liam Gildea, author and wellness speaker, to unpack the neuroscience behind burnout, ex...

As temperatures rise and many people head off on holidays, it's a good time to think about staying safe in the sun and managing the heat. While most of us know the basics of sunscreen and hydration, many people don't realise that certain mental health medications can affect how the body regulates temperature, increasing the risk of heat-related illness.    To help us under...

It's something that has become all too common in the age of smartphones. A serious road traffic collision happens, and before emergency services have even finished their work, photos and videos from the scene are already circulating on social media and messaging apps.    In the North of Ireland, there's growing support for 'Caoimhé's Law', named in memory of 23-year-old Caoimhé...

If you're always on the lookout for your next podcast obsession, this week's irecommend is one for music lovers. The Greenlight Podcast, hosted by Dara Quilty, is your backstage pass to the biggest gigs, festivals and artists shaping the Irish and international music scene.    Every week, Dara sits down with musicians for honest conversations, behind-the-scenes stories and plenty of...

Love Island might be all about finding love, but in 2026 it's also one of the biggest career opportunities in entertainment. From fashion deals and beauty campaigns to TV presenting and brand partnerships, the right contestant can leave the villa with an entirely new career.    Joining us today is Sarah Lowe, Senior Talent Manager at Icon Management, one of Ireland's biggest talent...

Have you ever found yourself apologising for things that aren't your fault, worrying you've upset someone over a simple text, or constantly seeking reassurance that you've done the "right" thing? It's something so many people experience, and it's often linked to what's become known as "Good Girl Syndrome" – the pressure to people-please, avoid conflict and chase approval.   &nb...

This week on iRadio's Groupchat Business Spotlight, we're shining a light on an Irish business that's helping people protect their skin every single day.    Solas Skin was founded by Amelia Slattery with a simple mission – to make wearing SPF an easy, everyday habit rather than something we only think about on sunny holidays.    Amelia joins Valerie to chat about...

Teaching has always been a demanding profession, but research suggests the pressures on educators have reached worrying levels.   The latest Teacher Occupational Wellbeing Research from DCU found that more than 85% of teachers surveyed reported moderate to high levels of burnout, with workload, unrealistic expectations and increasing demands all playing a role.    Joining...