North West Today

25 years ago, Desmond Beglin rang the newsroom of North West Radio, as he watched the horror of the 9/11 attack on New York unfold before his very eyes. On the anniversary of the atrocity, the native of Culleens recalls that momentous day in world history and the impact it had on New Yorkers and the Irish community there See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The development of the Sligo Greenway along the route of the Western Rail Corridor between Collooney and Bellaghy is an 'appalling mistake' and represents a ripping up of the line rail - that's according to the Cathaoirleach of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee. While the former Manager of Sligo Regional Airport has backed the provision of the Greenway See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Minister Marian Harkin has hit back at the contents of a statement issued by two Sligo-Leitrim Oireachtas members suggesting that she and the other Government TDs in the constituency are actively campaigning against the North West. The statement was issued jointly by Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny and Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove in response to the Government TD's support for the development of a gree...

The funeral took place on Sunday of retired Sligo doctor, Tony Heenan, who was an anaesthetist at Sligo Hospital - Dr. Heenan was on duty when those who were injured in the Mullaghmore bombing in 1979 were brought to the hospital and is credited with saving their lives. He says he always believed the seeds of the peace process were sown that day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politicians have been called to intervene immediately to ensure the restoration of toilet facilities on the bus bringing cancer patients from Sligo University Hospital to Galway. The wife of a man with prostate cancer has highlighted the problem - the upgraded bus service with toilet facilities was only introduced  last November See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A clampdown is underway by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland on pubs who operate over-the-counter betting operations on behalf of bookies, as part of the enforcement of new licensing legislation. However the Independent Ireland party has called for an amendment of the legislation to continue to allow people place small bets in their local pubs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Cliodhna Carroll lost her brother and her close friend to cancer - Michael Barrett is currently undergoing treatment for colon cancer. Both outline the importance to them of this year's Relay for Life Sligo event which is now just five days ago, taking place on 5th and 6th September at ATU Sligo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's Friday Panel comes lives from the Holyrood Hotel in Bundoran, guests are journalist Michael Daly and businessman Diarmuid Doherty, While other guests are Sr. Assumpta, Tara McCaughey of Discover Bundoran, Audrey McEniff of The Holyrood, Emmet O'Doherty of The Chasin' Bull, Barry Sweeney of Bundoran Community Centre and Cllr Michael McMahon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Donegal singer Margo O'Donnell was a life long friend of country music legend Dolly Parton who has passed away. She has spoken of her intense sadness on hearing the news and remembers her as a kind and wonderful human being See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

35 year old Kieran Gorman of Co Sligo was one of the 2,977 people killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York. The 25th anniversary of the atrocity takes place on 11th September next. Kieran's friend, Mike Burke of Tubbercurry, who was working with him in New York at the time, is planning a special event to remember him and all the victims See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Michael Flatley paid a private visit to Classiebawn Castle in Mullaghmore yesterday to mark the 47th anniversary of the IRA bombing there which killed 4 people including Lord Mountbatten. Flatley was part of a music session in the Castle before flying in his helicopter over the scene of the explosion. Local resident John Barry was in his company See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The comments of former Donegal GAA footballer, Brendan Devenney, in objecting to the continued sponsorship deal between the GAA and Allanz has been described as laudable. Devenney was among a number of high-profile GAA players who handed in a protest letter to Croke Park last week - George O'Malley who worked in the Middle East says more should follow his example See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Sligo councillor Fergal Nealon has rejected claims by councillor Michael Clarke that he is being 'rolled out' by the Government in his criticism of the numbers of vapes shops in the region. While Cllr Nealon continues to push for restrictions, Cllr Clarke says it amounts to damage control by the Government, after high taxes caused the demise of traditional businesses - both councillors debate the...

Supermacs owner, Pat McDonagh, has claimed that there is too much red tape affecting the development of business in Ireland, and some of our planning laws are over zealous. He was speaking after the official opening of the newest Supermacs outlet at Sligo Junction in Collooney See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyril Donnellan is a member of the organising committee of the Relay for Life Sligo 2026 event which takes place on 5th and 6th September. He says he and his family's involvement stems from the care their mother received from Hospice and Irish Cancer Society night nurses in her final days See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From his working class upbringing in Ballymote to reaching the top of the legal profession - Solicitor Damien Tansey gives a wide-ranging interview on his 46 year career, on what makes him tick, the huge influence his mother had on his life choices, and much more, while selecting some of his favourite songs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chairman of Sligo Rovers FC, Tommy Higgins, explains what exactly is being proposed by the management committee in realtion to the future structure and ownership of the club in a changing enviroment which would allow for the involvement of investors. Club co-op members will have the final say on the proposed changes at meetings in the coming months See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

The public toilets at Ballyshannon bus station have been vandalised yet again - urinals and wash hand basins pulled out of the walls, and worse. It's estimated that damage caused will cost in the region of 6k to repair - Cllr Michael McMahon says it's yet more shocking behaviour See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westlife's Shane Filan, Brand Ambassador for the Relay for Life fundraiser, has announced details of a raffle in which the winner will receive two passes to their concert in Paris, along with flights and accommodation, and an opportunity to meet the band. Shane says he's immensely proud once again of the efforts of all those behind the Sligo Relay for Life event which takes place on 5th and 6th Se...

A new beach shelter which has been installed at the entrace to Mullaghmore Beach has been described by one local resident as a concrete monstrosity. Martina Butler insists everything about the shelter is wrong - its location, its appearance, and the fact that it does not shelter people from prevailing winds, and she has contacted Sligo Co Co about the matter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

He decided to join the priesthood at the age of 35 having worked in the bank for 16 years. Fr Pat Lombard, Parish Priest of St. Anne's Sligo, on his life choices, how he does what he does every day, what keeps him going, his dog, his scooter, his lolllipops, and much more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long-time Finn Valley Athletics Club member Patsy McGonigle and Media Officer Chris McNulty reflect on Mark English's Gold Medal peformance in last evening's European Athletics Championships. English became the first ever Irish male athlete to win a Gold at the Championships See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

90 year old Breandán MacConamhna of Riverstown celebrated Mayo's historic All-Ireland win by brining his grandchildren to the grave of his brother. The former Director of IT Sligo has been describing what the victory means to him, alongside his College colleague, John Comiskey, whom we facilitated in produding an AI-generated audio tribute to Breandán See omnystudio.com/listener for...

James McHugh will be forever remembered as a member of the first ever Donegal team to win an All-Ireland title in 1992 and his tragic death in a road traffic accident has numbed the county. As tributes pour in for him, one Donegal councillor says it's the saddest of sad days for the county and everyone is devastated See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sligo sisters, Grainne and Katrina Cunniffe were both diagnosed with breast cancer, just weeks apart. And they say their experience again highlights the importance of early detection and regular testing. Grainne of Cliffoney, and Katrina of Skreen, will be among those again taking part in this year's Sligo Relay for  Life event in September See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.