Cork's 96fm Opinion Line

The blackwater fish kill - it’s a lot worse than anyone thought - and please don’t eat the dead fish...Could you do CPR - 96FM & the ambulance service are getting together to teach you...Oasis fans say Croker was a gig for the history books & lots more   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oasis’ reunion shows at Croke Park left fans calling them the greatest gigs they’ve ever seen. With 80,000 people singing in unison across two sold-out nights, the Gallagher brothers delivered a powerhouse set of classics. PJ Coogan was joined by Simon Murdoch to recap on the weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With UCC and MTU due to resume classes in early September, students are once again struggling to find affordable accommodation. UCC Students’ Union says the college provides just 18% of purpose-built student housing in Cork far below Dublin and Galway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every minute counts in a cardiac arrest and learning CPR could be the difference between life and death. This week, Cork’s 96FM joins forces with the National Ambulance Service and community first responders for two public events offering free CPR demonstrations. With 353 cardiac arrests recorded in Cork last year, responders say: “It takes a community to save a life.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

Cork Opera House is bringing The Sound of Music back to the stage for the first time in over a decade. Opening July 2026, the large-scale local production will feature a full cast, including children from Cork, and run for at least four weeks over the summer. The show follows a milestone 170th anniversary year for the Opera House, which has also built a new public archive of over 1,300 historic it...

A massive fish kill on the River Blackwater may be the worst in Ireland’s history. Up to 30,000 trout, salmon, and eels have died along a 30-kilometre stretch, with birds and other wildlife now showing signs of illness. As anglers raise the alarm, experts await test results to uncover what’s poisoning one of the country’s most important rivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

Ahead of his 15th year hosting the Rose of Tralee, Dáithí Ó Sé talks to PJ about the joy of the festival, working alongside co-host Kathryn Thomas, the changing face of the Roses, and how he keeps the high-pressure live show running smoothly. From memorable moments to behind-the-scenes secrets, he reflects on why the event remains a uniquely Irish celebration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...

Eighteen-year-old Cormac O’Callaghan from Cork is set to represent Ireland at the UCI World Championships, while living with muscular dystrophy. From lockdown bike rides to a €30,000 world-class setup, he shares how determination, family support, and a love for cycling are driving him toward his dream: the 2028 Paralympics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Byrne rides along with Cork’s National Ambulance Service to witness the reality behind the sirens. Along the way, they open up about the emotional toll, the tight-knit camaraderie, and the powerful life lessons learned on the frontline of emergency care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ambulance service - we’ve been out to see and hear them in action.. York Hill its going to be a nightmare when kids go back to school, Oasis fever - are you headed to Croker? and lot's more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When 58-year-old Carol Callaghan collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest while on holiday in Spain, her family was told she might not survive. Against the odds, she pulled through, but remains in intensive care, unable to return to Ireland without an air ambulance and specialist medical support. With her insurance refusing to cover the costs, her son Jack joins PJ to share their urgent fundraising...

Cork City Council’s plan to block through traffic on York Hill is about to change the daily commute for locals, parents, and bus drivers alike. PJ Coogan talks to traffic expert Wayne Hilton and Councillor Joe Kavanagh about what “filtered permeability” really means, why it’s starting right before schools reopen, and whether the changes will fix congestionor make St. Luke’s Cross an even bigger ni...

#The cost of living - in a wealthy country why are things so tough for ordinary people....A romantic relationship with Chat GPT - are people really that lonely...Cork Rose Nancy is the bookies favourite to win in Tralee & lots more   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PJ Coogan catches up with 2025 Cork Rose Nancy Lehane ahead of the Rose of Tralee Festival. From growing up in Ireland’s highest village to becoming the bookies’ favourite, Nancy shares her whirlwind journey, the excitement of the pre-festival tour, and the support pouring in from her hometown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent survey revealed that 1 in 10 Irish adults have formed a romantic connection with an AI chatbot. PJ Coogan speaks with Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Turn2Me, about what’s driving this growing trend, the role loneliness plays, and the risks of replacing real human relationships with digital companionship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newly qualified teachers in Ireland are facing a paradox a well-publicised shortage of staff, yet no clear path to full-time, permanent work. PJ speaks with Triona, a teacher who’s seen both sides of the job hunt, and Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When tragedy strikes, why do some people’s first instincts lead them to hit “record” instead of offering help? Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae speaks to PJ about disturbing cases of people filming accidents, disasters, and even crime scenes and posting them online for clicks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just 54 days to Budget Day 2025, Cork voices reveal the harsh reality of the cost-of-living crisis. Reporter Paul Byrne hears from families, workers, and pensioners, while St. Vincent de Paul’s Cormac O’Sullivan explains why calls for help are rising and why many seeking assistance never thought they’d need it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cork is on alert after the discovery of the Asian hornet a predator that threatens honeybees, wild insects, and local biodiversity. PJ speaks with Pat Deasy, CEO of the Irish Bee Conservation Project, about the hornet’s hunting habits, the urgent search for its nest, and what residents need to know to stay safe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re sick of it - shopowners in Cork call on the courts to toughen up their sentencing..Heatwaves across Europe - but climate change isn’t stopping families heading for sunshine...A laugh - and maybe a tear with Imelda May & lots more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live in studio with PJ, Imelda May talks about her critically acclaimed one-woman show Mother of All the Behans , returning to The Everyman in August 2025 after last summer’s sold-out run. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PJ chats with dog behaviour expert Nancy Creedon about the hidden dangers summer heat poses for our four-legged friends. From the deadly risk of heatstroke to burnt paws on hot pavements, Nancy shares practical, compassionate tips for keeping dogs safe, cool, and comfortable during scorching days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pj speaks to Neil McDonnell of ISME and retailer Willie O’Brien about the survey showing two-thirds of businesses escape crimebut those on the front lines face repeat offenses, legal frustrations, and rising security costs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An alarming fish kill on an 8km stretch of the River Blackwater near Mallow has left over a thousand trout dead. Sean Long, Southwest Director of Inland Fisheries Ireland, joins PJ to discuss possible causes, from rising water temperatures to natural infections, and the urgent investigations now underway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What starts as a simple sore shoulder leads Megan Rafferty into a life-changing diagnosis of acute leukemia. Speaking to PJ Coogan Megan recounts her unexpected path through misdiagnosis, gruelling chemotherapy, sepsis, a bone marrow transplant, and the emotional rollercoaster of living with blood cancer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.