Cork's 96fm Opinion Line

When a table offering handwritten affirmations and artisan perfumes appeared on French Church Street, PJ Coogan just had to catch up with boutique owner Manal to hear her story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciara O'Kelly from The Donkey Sanctuary joins PJ with some vocal four-legged friends in the background to invite Cork families to a magical Halloween midterm trail at Liscarroll. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From shamanic forest healing to high-flying dates across the Atlantic, Louise O’Neill tells PJ why taking her father’s advice to "take bigger risks" changed her life. Her memoir "A Bigger Life" is available now and you can see her at An Evening with Louise O'Neill (presented by West Cork Literary Festival) Thursday, 8 October 2026 at Live At St Luke’s, Cork City. Hosted on...

With just over two weeks until the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival takes over the city, Triskel's Tony Sheehan joins PJ to preview nine incredible weekend gigs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Councillor Brian McCarthy explains to PJ why a message of solidarity from Cork is vital for residents standing their ground in Portadown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Priscilla Granger joins PJ to confront the systemic failures leaving domestic violence victims with an impossible ultimatum: stay in danger or become homeless. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Patrick "Patsy" O'Sullivan disappeared in 1992, his family never stopped hoping; his brother Jerry joins PJ to share the bittersweet closure of finally learning where he was. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After witnessing a goose hit by a speeding car and a pedestrian struck months earlier, local caller Anne joins PJ to plead for immediate traffic-calming measures around The Lough. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a worker was refused time off following the sudden death of her cat, PJ and caller John clash over whether pet grief should be treated like human bereavement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PJ speaks with TD Ken O'Flynn about the new homeowners who find themselves cut off from essential deliveries, broadband, and other services for months waiting for an Eircode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PJ hears from parents Lily & Derek as preschool staffing cuts threaten places for children with additional needs, public anger & growing calls for emergency fuel relief ahead of the Budget, Qween's Brian Keville on bringing the ultimate Freddie Mercury tribute to the Cork Opera House. And more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thinking of ditching Cork rent for Spain? Cork expat Viv O'Keeffe tells PJ why soaring supermarket bills, €2,000 rents, and housing protests just toppled the Spanish government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Park Director of West Cork Film Studios in Skibbereen tells PJ that that pulling regional tax breaks has cost Cork €20 million in lost productions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In advance of his Opera House gig this Friday, Brian Keville of Qween and PJ talk Slane Castle, singing with a bionic leg, and keeping thousands of people happy. See also here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With home heating oil surging to €1,700 a fill to half a million households in energy arrears James Dallon tells PJ serious action is needed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Together for decades but "strangers in law"— James Sexton tells PJ why 177,000 unmarried couples in Ireland face losing the roof over their heads to a €190k tax bill if one partner dies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Changing surgical catheters at home, locked out of Carer’s Allowance, and left without enough cash for a coffee, Katie Healy Nolan reveals to PJ the brutal reality of caring for the little girl, Penelope, she loves Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bracing for crèche fees, burning cash driving to Dublin for work, and deciding between a jumper or turning on the heat Paul Byrne hears how working-age Cork is getting hammered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura O'Mahony & Laura Harte Traitors Gonna Trait join PJ to explain why as big fans of the show it's even more fun to do a podcast about it Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Cork rents hitting €2,600 and childcare wiping out an entire salary, Affordable Ireland campaigner Maggie O'Kane warns PJ that working families have reached breaking point ahead of the budget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Byrne talks to everyday people from preschool owners facing closure to mums budgeting for basic car services about why Budget 2027 needs to deliver for ordinary earners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lily and Derek tell PJ it took weeks of tears to get three-year-old James settled into playschool; now, a sudden mid-term cut leaves an autistic toddler without the only daily routine he knows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PJ hears from NBRU's Dermot O'Leary as antisocial behaviour forces bus cancellations across Cork, midwife Grace O'Brien on the fight to save CUMH's Domino birth scheme, legend Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors on their latest return. And more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sharon Gleeson tells PJ all about it and he finally finds out why a great local bakery is called "The Grumpy Baker" The party is on Sunday between 11 and 1 to grab your treat, or check out @the_grumpy_bakers https://www.instagram.com/the_grumpy_bakers to see the moves Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PJ chats to Leo Moran, founder of The Saw Doctors, in advance of their Virgin Media Park gig on Saturday 3rd July 2027. Tickets on sale today here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.