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We’re talking about something we all have to navigate at some point: how to look after your health and get the most out of a GP appointment - especially when you’ve only got 10–15 minutes. GP Dr. Clodagh Gallagher (The Anú Clinic, Moycullen, Co. Galway) joins Valerie with practical tips on going in prepared: bringing urine samples if needed, having photos ready, noting key dates, and writing your...

A new school-based programme is creating non-judgmental spaces for young boys to be honest about how they’re really doing. In this episode, Programme Director Donal Kearney joins Valerie to talk about Mark, the Shona Project’s latest initiative - and why the call for something like this came from the girls themselves asking, “what about the boys?” Donald explains how the 90-minute workshops work,...

This week on iRadio’s iRecommend, we’re leaning all the way into spooky season — stepping into a world of ghosts, ancient magic, witches, folklore and mysterious stone circles. Valerie’s featured read is Girl of Darkness, the brand new YA urban fantasy from Swedish-born, Ireland-based author Kristina Dowling. Think eerie vibes, secret brotherhoods, a scarred stranger, a sealed grimoire… and a slow...

This week on iRadio's Groupchat Business Spotlight, we’re chatting to Aishling Croughan, founder of Ora Wellness Studio in Athlone - a new space built around the idea that movement should meet you where you are. Ashlyn tells us how moving home after four years in South Korea helped her spot a gap in the local wellness scene, and what it’s been like building Aura from the ground up after a career i...

Budget 2027 has landed, the government has “loosened the purse strings” - but what does it actually mean for you? Political correspondent Sean Defoe joins us live from Leinster House to break down the headline changes without the chaos. We dig into what students and young people are getting: the cut to the student contribution, SUSI increases, and a new support pot for students who become pregnant...

If you’ve ever watched a renovation show and thought, “That looks amazing… but how much is that actually going to cost?”, today’s conversation is for you.   Our guest is Rachel Uí Bhaoil, better known online as The Renovation Strategist. Rachel is the owner of Spreag.ie , a certified financial planner and property developer who has built a following by sharing practical advice for people...

We were joined by Niamh Noonan, who has gained a significant following on social media for sharing the realities of her day to day life after facing breast cancer. Niamh was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer two days after her 30th birthday. She's finished treatment now, but has continued to document her life on social media to remind people to look after their health, and advocate for...

For today’s iRadio Groupchat Business Spotlight, we’re shining a light on an Irish businesswoman who has taken something she loved doing as a child and turned it into a thriving handmade brand.   Isabella McKeon, from County Leitrim, is the woman behind By Izzy the Label - a crochet fashion brand creating handmade bags and accessories using recycled T-shirt yarn.   Isabella’s l...

The saying goes "She believed She could so She did" This ties in perfectly with Ghlór Mná, which is a writing and creative wellbeing community for women and mothers in the west of Ireland. It is self described as a space where words are the tool, play is the purpose and connection is the core. Founder Claire Kelly joined Valerie on the show to reflect on the importance of community, and chat about...

Today we’re talking about something that affects men from all walks of life — connection, mental health, purpose and the importance of having a strong support system around you.   Joining us is Darren Reilly, a high-performance men’s coach and psychotherapist, and the founder of Brotherhood - a community created to help men become more connected to themselves, to each other, and to the l...

Today we're talking about something that so many people experience, but can often feel very difficult to admit - loneliness.    Claine Cassidy, recently opened up on TikTok about her own experience of feeling lonely in her 20s and finding it difficult to make new friends as an adult.   What happened next really struck a chord. Hundreds of people reached out to Claine, tell...

Valerie McHugh is joined by actor and creator Éyum Priscilla, born in Drogheda and raised in Dublin, to talk about what it means to be Irish when people insist you’re “not really Irish” because you’re Black. Éyum opens up about the moments that made her realise how differently others viewed her identity, the racism and trolling she’s faced online, and the everyday “small” comments and unconscious...

Representation in entertainment is improving, but is it actually becoming more accessible for autistic and neurodivergent performers? Valerie McHugh is joined by content creator and acting student Fyiya, who was diagnosed with autism in her 20s, to talk honestly about identity, burnout, and finding freedom in finally understanding yourself. Fyiya shares why acting feels like escapism and magic, wh...

The words equality, diversity and inclusion get thrown around a lot – but do we actually know what they mean in practice? Valerie McHugh is joined by Florencia Santana, trainer and advisor with the Irish Centre for Diversity, to break down the big terms and why they’re not interchangeable. Flora explains how “I don’t see colour” can erase identity, why equality on its own doesn’t guarantee belongi...

As the evenings get darker and the cold weather creeps in, Valerie McHugh is joined by Hermione ReId - better known as Bookworm Herm – for a cosy chat all about getting back into reading. From autumn fantasy and “spooky season” picks like Akotar, Serpent and the Wings of Night and Practical Magic, to what’s trending on BookTok right now (including Yesteryear), Hermione shares recommendations for e...

Valerie McHugh is joined by Eamon, founder of Gaeilgeoir Guides, to chat about the Irish language revival – and he’s calling in live from his travels in China. Eamon shares how his new Irish-learning app, Hey Rua, is built around speaking out loud, with native recordings from Connemara, Kerry and Donegal, pronunciation feedback, games, and guided everyday conversations (from ordering a coffee to s...

Valerie McHugh is joined by Miss Ireland 2025, Caoimhe Kenny, fresh home from Vietnam after representing Ireland at Miss World alongside 110+ women from around the globe. She chats about the surreal month away, the friendships she’s made, and the pride (and pressure) of stepping onto a world stage with the tricolour. She explains her work with Hygiene Hub Ireland, what hygiene poverty really means...

Valerie McHugh chats to Rory Staunton, one half of the brother duo behind Aura Sports Cream – the Irish-made, natural muscle and joint recovery cream inspired by a trip to the Austrian Alps. Rory shares how a simple pharmacy find abroad turned into a full-on business at home, built with his brother Hugh (a pharmacist) and rooted in a family history of sport and pharmacy. They talk about what makes...

For Suicide Awareness Month, Valerie McHugh is joined by Katie Anne Bobbett, who lost her dad to suicide when she was just 17. She speaks honestly about who her dad was, the “blackout” periods of grief, and the pressure of trying to keep going through milestones, friendships and even the Leaving Cert. She shares what helped most - HUG, counselling, and the support of family, friends and teachers -...

Valerie McHugh is joined by Donal Casey from Leitrim as The Traitors Ireland heads into its big finale. Donal chats about what made him sign up in the first place – a split-second “why not?” moment while recovering from an injury – and why the castle was way more intense than he ever expected. He opens up about that emotional final roundtable, the pressure of being watched, and why seeing men cry...

In this week’s iRadio Groupchat, Valerie McHugh chats with Tony about the life-changing support of Croí – and why he’s determined to give something back. Tony shares how he first discovered Croí when his daughter Aofaoine was in intensive care, and how the nearby apartment gave their family a place to rest, wash and breathe during an incredibly dark time. He also opens up about his own heart healt...

Valerie McHugh chats to Liz from Rosscahill/Connemara, who lives locally and teaches fitness classes – and who’s helping bring the Croí Night Run back for another year. Liz explains how the event started during COVID as a small meet-up at the pier, before growing into a bigger community night with Croí’s support. This year, the route moves from the pitch to laps around the harbour, with the same b...

Today we're talking about something every parent, young person, carer, teacher and anyone working with children should know about - “Think Type 1 Diabetes. Think Test.”   Type 1 diabetes can develop in children and young people, sometimes surprisingly quickly. And because some of the early symptoms - like being really thirsty, going to the toilet a lot or feeling completely wiped out - c...

On iRecommend, we are chatting all things 'The Traitors Ireland' with a fan-favourite. Sam Omukoro from Westmeath became one of the standout characters of this year's series, navigating suspicion, alliances, friendships and the constant pressure of trying to work out who you could trust.   His departure was an emotional one, particularly for Pete, who described Sam as being “like a son”...

September is Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month, and in this episode we’re shining a light on ovarian cancer - what it is, who it can affect, and why knowing your “normal” matters. Valerie is joined by Michelle Lonergan, Cancer Awareness Nurse with the Irish Cancer Society, who explains why ovarian cancer symptoms can be vague and easily dismissed, and shares the key warning signs to look out fo...