iRadio's Groupchat

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...

Do you have a list at home that just keeps getting longer?  A wall that needs painting… a shelf that’s still sitting in the box… a lightbulb you’ve been meaning to change for weeks?  Maybe you’ve put it off because you’re not sure how to do it - or hiring someone just feels too expensive right now. Not to mention finding someone to do it!  Well, Declan Buggy is hoping to change that...

2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for cinema. With major releases hitting the big screen and Irish actors and actresses making waves internationally, it feels like more people are heading back to the cinema again.  This evening on iRecommend were gonna be talkingabout some of the biggest films out right now for – and the ones you should keep an eye on – Valerie is joined by movie cr...

Following on from International Women’s Day we’re highlighting some of the incredible women across Ireland who are making waves in their fields - and our next guest is doing just that in the world of technology and engineering.  Originally from Louth, she’s currently studying Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of Galway, has been named on Ireland’s 30 Under 30 list, and is...

With the Cheltenham Festival happening this week, there’s a huge buzz around horse racing and betting - and it can feel like gambling ads are everywhere.   But gambling can come with serious risks if it isn’t approached carefully. Former Armagh footballer and recovery advocate Oisín McConville knows that better than most. After struggling with a gambling addiction earlier in his lif...

International Women’s Day is all about celebrating women’s achievements - but it’s also about looking ahead and asking how we can better support the next generation.   Across Ireland, young girls are growing up in a world shaped by social media, comparison culture, academic pressure and changing expectations. So how do we help them build confidence, resilience and real self-belief?&...

This month is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and we’re also marking International Women’s Day, so today we’re talking about a condition that affects 10% of women and girls in Ireland - but is still widely misunderstood.   Endometriosis is a chronic disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation, severe pain and sometimes years of d...

It’s Seachtain na Gaeilge - and tonight on Between the Sheets, we’re proving that Irish isn’t just for the classroom… it can be for the bedroom too.    Joining Valerie is Cian Griffin, better known as Gaylgeori on TikTok - the man who’s made Gaeilge cool again for a whole new generation online.   But tonight, we’re putting a sli...

Money - we all need it, we all worry about it, and no matter how much we earn, it often feels like it disappears just as quickly.    With rising rents, higher living costs, and more pressure than ever to save for a home, a lot of adults are asking the same question: Where is my money actually going - and how do I get ahead?   To help us break it all down, from the best pra...

It can be hard to find the time or the place to meet people or try something new.     Sometimes it feels like the only solution is spending money to go out and socialise in bars or expensive events. Clodagh Mc Keon saw an opportunity to create a space where girls can attend affordable events, whether it be run or a walk, grabbing a coffee, or even Pilates!    Thi...

The UK government has just announced plans to introduce anti-misogyny education for boys in schools across England.  It’s part of a wider strategy aiming to cut violence against women and girls in half over the next ten years.  The proposals include specialist teacher training to spot and challenge misogynistic behaviour in classrooms, lessons on consent and healthy relationships, behavi...

At this time of year, most Leaving Cert students are feeling the pressure - between school, study, and mock exams, stress levels are high. Now imagine balancing all of that while also running your own business.     Today on iRadio’s Business Spotlight , I’m joined by 17-year-old Cathal O Brien, founder and owner of OB Sports, to chat about how he’s managing the Leavin...

Have you ever received a call from an unknown number or tried to buy something online and suddenly wondered, “Could this be a scam?”    It’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell what’s genuine and what’s fraudulent. Scammers are now highly skilled at impersonating legitimate businesses and websites, leading to a growing number of victims.     Today, I’m joined...

Careers coach Angela Burke joins Valerie, Angela helps people navigate career crossroads, burnout, and those big “what am I doing with my life?” moments.     From feeling stuck in a stable job to wondering if a gap year at 29 is reckless or refreshing, Angela is here to answer your questions and help us figure out whether feeling lost might actually be the first step towar...

The world is anxiously watching the developments from the conflict in the middle east right now. Travel to many middle eastern regions has been suspended, and Editor of Travel Extra, Eoghan Corry joins Valerie now to weigh in on it all.  

Ever wondered if your TikTok obsession could actually pay your bills?    Well for many people it does, one person who’s helping people start their content journey is Taylor Murray, she's the founder of 14 Social Lane.   She joins Valerie to talk all things content creation, turning passion into careers and the creator society event 

Today we’re joined by Emma and Ethen Armstrong, a couple in their 20s from Northern Ireland whose story will resonate with so many young families.     Like a lot of young people here, they faced the big question - stay and try to build a future at home, or take a leap abroad. Ethen made the move to Australia, hoping to lay the foundations for a new life for Emma and their child...

Tonight on iRadio’s Group Chat, we’re talking about something that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves - the rising rate of female homelessness and addiction in Ireland.   An Oireachtas committee recently heard that more women are sleeping rough, and that demand for female beds in the homeless system is growing. Behind those statistics are real people, real fear, and real storie...

You don't need to be fluent to appreciate the Irish language, and if you are looking for an injection of gaeilge into your life, this week's iRecommend is for you. iRadio alum Laura Pakenham's new book "Irish History & Culture Through Language" is set to be officially released in Ireland tomorrow. You may know Laura from her work with us, she's also renowned for h...

Today, Valerie is joined by Emirates air hostess Doireann Sloyan. She’s originally from Kilkenny, but these days she’s based in Dubai, flying all over the world with Emirates - and she actually made the leap from a corporate job to life in the sky.     Even better? Her sister works there too.     Doireann’s here to spill the trade secrets of cabin crew life...

Now for today’s Business Spotlight, we’re heading to Castlebar to talk spuds . A simple idea that’s turned into a big hit locally, Spud Hut Castlebar is serving up baked potatoes loaded with toppings every weekend.     It’s run by James Basquille and Conal Murray , who took a classic comfort food and turned it into a business. They’re with us now to chat about how it started, what it cos...

Okay, if your group chat isn’t already screaming about this band, it’s about to be.   Seven members. Fourteen instruments between them. Formed in front of the nation on Netflix’s Simon Cowell: The Next Act - and now officially ushering in what they’re calling the return of the boyband era.   December 10 are Cruz, Danny, Hendrick, John, Josh, Nicolas and our very own Dubliner Se...

Just a quick note to our listeners – this conversation will include mentions of eating disorders – we understand this can be difficult for some listeners so please take care while listening.    This week marks Eating Disorder Awareness Week - a time to have open, honest conversations about mental health, body image, and the pressures so many people are facing quietly.   Jo...

Today we’re joined by Ellen Dundon, someone who speaks about sobriety with a rare mix of honesty, humor, and depth.     Her journey isn’t just about giving something up, it’s about gaining clarity, self-trust, and a more intentional way of living. Ellen has been open about the messy, challenging, and surprisingly beautiful parts of choosing sobriety, and she brings a persp...