iRadio's Groupchat

A trend this is making a storm this year is simply just Irishness. Irish brands are becoming increasingly popular with brands being seen on celebrities like CMAT and Nicola Coughlan!      Today I’m catching up with Megan Nolan from Irish fashion brand MNW Design. Megan has shaken up Irish fashion with handcrafted pieces that blends heritage and with club energy.

Have you ever been in a relationship and caught yourself thinking, what if I was single again? Maybe it’s imagining total freedom, meeting new people, or just having space to focus on yourself. It’s a surprisingly common thought - but it can also feel confusing or even guilt-inducing when you’re with someone you care about.     So when is it just harmless curiosity, and when co...

Everyone wants to capture moments - whether it’s a football match, a festival, or just time spent with friends. But turning those moments into something cinematic is a real skill. Videographer Ronan O’Donnell knows exactly how to do that.     From filming at Electric Picnic to Hyrox events, Ronan is the creative eye behind the camera, capturing content that stands out...

The Irish surfing scene is well and truly alive, and for iRecommend this week, we are diving into a whole new potential hobby for you. Today Valerie is joined by Surfála founder Emily Gibbon to chat all things surf trips, surf inspired clothing and spending time in the sea. 

This month marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and today on iRadio’s Groupchat, we’re joined by someone whose life changed in an instant. At just 32 years old, Claire Fagan  was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.   In the space of a moment, her world was turned completely upside down. Since then, Claire has been navigating the realities of diagnosis, treatment, and learning how to...

One thing a lot of people have in common has to be the love of chocolate. It’s a sweet treat nearly everyone enjoys and with Easter coming up, it’s all over the shelves, and our own cupboards too as we wait to dig into a sweet treat ourselves or gift it to someone else.    If you’re a fan of Easter Eggs I’m catching up with the founder of Grá Chocolates and pastry che...

Smartphones, social media, and constant connection - for young people today, being online isn’t just part of life, it is life. But as screen time rises, so too do concerns about its impact on mental health, attention, sleep, and even how young brains develop.   New research suggests many children are spending hours a day on devices - often late into the night - while more...

It’s that time of year when salary reviews are happening, and for a lot of people the idea of asking for a pay rise can feel like an awkward, daunting conversation. Careers coach Angela Burke joins Valerie with practical advice on how to prepare properly, why “I deserve it” (or personal money pressures) isn’t the best approach, and how to use market data to back yourself up. They also talk timing,...

The Leaving Cert is often described as one of the most intense periods in a young person’s life. Long hours of study, constant pressure, and the weight of future plans can take a toll. But for some students, that experience is made even more challenging by personal circumstances beyond their control.     Caoimhe Graham sat her Leaving Cert while dealing with deep personal loss...

Ireland play one of their biggest games of all time this evening. We’re up against Czechia in Prague, and the winner of that game is going to progress to face either Denmark or North Macedonia, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.  Now there’s every likelihood you have heard people going on about this for weeks and months, but if you want the cheat sheet on all you need to know you’r...

If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you might’ve seen one video in particular that has got people seriously talking and debating about money, lifestyle, and what we can actually afford.  Anne Sheeran, a mum who works in marketing, went viral after sharing her thoughts on spending and living within your means. But while the video sparked huge attention, not all of it was positive. Vale...

This week Valerie is joined by Hermione Reid AKA Bookworm Herm, who has got a book for every situation! She recommends some of her favourite books, genres and way to read!

Starting a business is one thing, but building a brand with a message at its heart is something else entirely.   Our next guest is Sallyann Concannon, founder of the Irish jewellery brand Mettle & Bloom.  Today we’ll be talking about how the brand started - from market stalls to major retailers, and the message behind jewellery that’s designed to not just look beautiful, but to...

Starting a business takes courage - but doing it at just 23 years old takes something extra.     Adam Murray is the man behind Biddos Street Food in Drogheda. Two years ago he took a chance on himself and opened a Mexican food truck, bringing something a little different to the local food scene. Since then, he’s been documenting the entire journey online - the wins, and th...

Cooking can feel like a bit of a chore sometimes especially after a long day  and ordering a takeaway often feels like the easy option… even if it comes with a bit of guilt.   But should we actually feel guilty about it?   Well, today on Trade Secrets I’m joined by food stylist and food content creator Michaela Lowe, who quite literally makes food look irresistible. F...

ADHD is something we’re hearing about more than ever right now - from social media to workplaces to classrooms, it feels like everyone is talking about it. Diagnoses have surged in recent years, with more adults in particular beginning to question whether they might have ADHD.   But with that rise has come a lot of confusion too - around what ADHD actually is, how it’s diagnosed, and why...

Relationships are often described as one of the most important parts of our lives, but they can also be one of the most confusing. How do you know if you’re truly in the right relationship, or in one that just feels comfortable? And when it comes to age gaps, where is the line between a healthy difference and a potential imbalance?    Today psychotherapist Chloe Callanan joins Valer...

Tomorrow marks Daffodil Day, a hugely important moment in Ireland’s calendar when people across the country come together to support those affected by cancer. Every donation helps fund expert cancer nurses, groundbreaking research, and vital services that guide patients and families through incredibly difficult journeys.   Today, we’re joined by Alanna Kells, who at just 27 years old is...

Running has absolutely taken off in recent years - from couch-to-5Ks to full marathons, more and more people are getting involved and embracing the running culture.   Now, a marathon might sound like a big challenge… but imagine running the entire length of Ireland.   Well, that’s exactly what one group is taking on. Valerie is delighted to be joined by Shane Bisto Kelly f...

March is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, and today we’re shining a light on a condition that many people may have heard of, but might not fully understand.   Joining us now is Caoilfhinn Ní Chaoiligh, who has been sharing her personal journey with alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. Through her honest and empowering videos on TikTok, Caoilfhinn has been helping t...

Irish pops up everywhere lately – a cúpla focal on the radio, a sign in town, or the sudden urge to order your coffee as Gaeilge. But how do we actually bring the language into daily life in 2026? In this iRadio Groupchat special, Valerie McHugh explores the rise of “GaelTok” and the new wave of creators making Gaeilge feel natural, fun, and accessible. Laura Pakenham (Barbie na Gaeilge) chats abo...

Robert Wallace or its donkey boy as you may know him online has been sharing his journey learning the Irish language.    He’s been inspiring people across Ireland with his posts, videos, and tips about learning Gaeilge - and showing that the language can bring people together across communities.    He joins Valerie now as we celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge

There’s a campaign gathering attention online right now calling for a life-changing medication to be made available in Ireland. Aoife Quinn from Galway who is living with a rare condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia, has started a petition asking the government to make the drug Skyclarys accessible here for patients who need it.   The treatment is already approved in other countries and could...

This week on Between the Sheets we’re talking about STI’s.  More than 1,600 cases of sexually transmitted infections were recorded in Ireland in just the first four weeks of this year - that’s around 61 cases every single day.  With cases rising, especially among young people, it’s important to understand what’s going on - and more importantly, what we can actually do about it.  To...

Dara Padden from Mayo has been using social media to openly share his journey through addiction and recovery. After struggling with alcohol and substance use, he made the decision to get sober and has been documenting the ups and downs of that process online.   Through honesty about the challenges he’s faced, Dara has built a supportive community and is showing how recovery is possible. A hug...