The Big Story

Emma Fogarty joins Will Falkner on Midlands Today to talk about her new HBO documentary "The Slightest Touch" The documentary follows her friendship with Irish Actor Colin Farrell and their journey to the Dublin Marathon in 2024.

Basketball commentator Timmy McCarthy joins Will Falkner on Midlands Today to discuss his new memoir, Boomshakalaka: Winning Against the Odds. Known for his unmistakable voice and infectious enthusiasm, Timmy puts his own story on the page, tracing a life that has taken him from Cork to the Olympic commentary booth.

Will Falkner chats with Keith Barry about his upcoming show at the Dean Crowe Theatre, before Midlands 103's Daniel Boyne is brought in for some mind-bending tricks.

Yvonne Carty from Hey Pesto joins Will Falkner with a selection of simple to make Halloween treats, bringing a taste of the spooky season to Midlands Today.

A Laois woman's fighting for answers as to what is causing her sudden severe pain and discomfort. Portlaoise's Hayley Dunne has a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome, and has been in hospital since Tuesday after experiencing strong stomach pain and unexplained bleeding. Doctors had assumed it was her appendix and had cleared her medically to go home after a clear CT scan, only to be told the ra...

A Westmeath graduate nurse wants the Health Minister to come clean on the employment situation for graduate nurses. Rosemount's Della Clarke studied nursing at TUS Athlone and was set to begin work at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore after going through the full interview and panel process - only to learn Midlands hospitals were facing a recruitment freeze. Ms Clarke is considering appl...

There's a new four-legged friend making a big difference at a Midlands School. Therapy dog Viola has been enrolled at Presentation Primary School in Portarlington. She's settling into school life, getting to know the pupils, and already bringing plenty of smiles along the way. With almost 500 pupils, including five special classes, the hope is that this furry friend will help children feel calmer,...

A Midlands cancer survivor is launching a new app to bring people affected by the disease together and help them connect with others. Tullamore's Vanessa Mooney, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2019, created the "Someone Like Me, Your Cancer Community" app, which has so far been downloaded over 200 times.  The app is designed to support people at every stage of their cancer journe...

A new book by a Midlands Author has revealed which town was once known as the "Paris of the Midlands". "Place Names of Ireland: From Inishbiggle to New Twopothouse" explores the history, meanings, and quirky stories behind unusual Irish place names. Portarlington was founded in 1666 and prospered after 15 French Huguenot refugee families settled there, earning it the nickname "Paris of the Midland...

Valerie Rooney, Chairperson of Clara Ladies GFC, speaks about the conclusion of the community fundraiser set up to support Miya and her family. The funds raised have now been transferred to Miya’s Recovery Trust to help support her into the future. Miya has completed a seven-week rehabilitation programme in Dún Laoghaire and is continuing to make progress with her prosthetic. She has now returned...

Sharika Darby from Daingean has achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. After studying civil engineering in college, Sharika says she has faced barriers while trying to enter the workforce, with potential employers raising health and safety concerns about her working on construction sites. Shakira also speaks about her experiences in everyday life, including people staring, sneering and taking photogr...

Professor Gary Murphy discusses his book "Anatomy of A Taoiseach" on Brian Cowen, exploring the life and political career of the former Taoiseach and the turbulent period in Irish politics during which he led the country.

Roisin Molloy’s son Mark died just 22 minutes after he was born at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise in 2012. An inquest later found that he died by medical misadventure after staff failed to respond to signs of foetal distress. Roisin says the way her family was treated in the aftermath compounded an already devastating experience. Her story has come back into focus amid a wider conversation...

Jane Swarbrigg was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in April 2026, which has spread to her liver and lungs. The Mullingar mum-of-two is now preparing to travel to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York for specialist treatment not currently available in Ireland. With the initial operation expected to cost more than €200,000, a major fundraising campaign has been launched to suppo...

Maria Walsh MEP speaks openly about her pregnancy and the personal journey that brought her to this point, Marie chat about her experience of IVF, the emotions involved throughout the process and what it means to be preparing to welcome her first child.

Banagher woman Carol Grogan speaks about her experience of living with metastatic breast cancer and the life-changing moment she received her diagnosis. She discusses treatment, the challenges and uncertainty of living with an incurable illness, and how she has learned to move forward with resilience and hope. Carol also talks about putting her experiences into words in her memoir, The Shadow That...

Irish actor Patrick Bergin joins Will Faulkner to talk about his decision to put his historic castle on the market, reflecting on his time at the property and why he feels the time is right to move on.

Catherine Hearns speaks about her experience of living with migraines, the symptoms she faces when an attack strikes and how debilitating the condition can be on day to day life. Catherine's struggle inspired her to create My Comfort, a business offering products designed to provide comfort and support to people living with migraine.

A Westmeath man says he became emotional after being invited into Katie Taylor's inner sanctum moments before her retirement fight on Saturday. Award winning photographer James Crombie was in Taylor's dressing room in the minutes building up to her fight against Flora Pili in Croke Park. The Rahugh man was also given access to the final spars of her career in the week's before the bout which saw h...

Niall “Bressie” Breslin discusses his PhD research into the history of mental health treatment in Ireland and what lessons can be learned from the past to help improve mental health services today. He also reflects on his weekend at Electric Picnic, including the challenge of bringing a grand piano to the festival in difficult weather condition

A midlands woman living with stage four stage breast cancer is set to launch a new book exploring cancer, chronic illness, grief and loss. Portarlington's Avril Tierney’s new book, Cancer, Chaos and Courage, offers a much-needed message of hope and support to anyone facing cancer, living with chronic illness, or navigating grief and loss. The mother of two was 41 when diagnosed with stage four bre...

The parents of a Laois child with cerebral palsy say his quality of life has "significantly" deteriorated since he was forced to leave school. Oisín Gill, from Rathdowney, attended an ASD unit in a Tipperary mainstream primary school from 2022 until his expulsion last November, after it was deemed unable to meet his needs The eight-year-old lives with cerebral palsy, autism and moderate intellectu...

As the sunshine continues to shine in Ireland, many people are opting for staycations. Portlaoise's John Whelan says one of the cheapest options is a campervan. He runs the website Vanhalla.ie and reviews different campsites and locations around the country. He's been speaking with Will Faulkner about his trip to Connemara.

A Laois mother is seeking reimbursement from the HSE, over a drug needed to improve symptoms of her son's metabolic disorder. Ballinakilll's Roseanne Dwyer looks after her nine year son James, who was diagnosed through a rare metabolic disorder called PKU through the heel prick test. He was put on a trial for a drug for a short period of time, but did not meet the clinical deadline. Ms Dwyer and h...

Gardaí say they've learned lessons after two members were taken to hospital after processing cannabis vape products in an Offaly station. Edenderry Garda Station had to be closed for an investigation and deep clean last month after the incident. High temperatures in the station's evidence storage room caused the activation of CBD and THC vapour in the vapes, which led to two officers becoming unwe...