Newstalk Daily

He’s the biggest country star in the world, the best-selling artist in the genre’s history, and next summer he’s headlining Slane Castle. Yet when Luke Combs was announced, a lot of people in Ireland asked the same thing: who is he?To his fans, the question sounds absurd. Combs has outsold Garth Brooks, filled stadiums across America, and built a huge following among younger listeners who are redefining what country music means.But why does this genre connect so strongly with Irish audiences?In today’s episode, Ciara speaks with Simon Maher, music broadcaster and lecturer, and Robert Mizzell, country musician, about the roots of Ireland’s long love affair with country, how the scene is changing, and why a Slane Castle crowd might be the perfect fit for Luke Combs.From Nashville to Navan, we explore who’s really listening to the music and what happened to the outlaws like Cash and Christopherson.Have thoughts on the episode or ideas for future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com

From AI-generated stand-up routines by Robin Williams to fake livestreams of Kobe Bryant, social media is being flooded with so-called “AI slop” — endless streams of computer-made videos that imitate art but often exploit real people.Robin Williams’ daughter, Zelda, has called it “the Human Centipede of content”, condemning the use of her late father’s likeness in these creations. But who’s actually behind this wave of synthetic media, and who stands to benefit from it?In today’s episode, Ciara speaks with Dr Andrew Hines, Director of Graduate Research at the School of Computer Science at UCD and an investigator at the Science Foundation Ireland Insight Centre for Data Analytics and the ADAPT Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology. They discuss the rise of AI-generated media, the ethics of deepfakes, and whether this technology risks eroding creativity and trust online.As tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 spread across social platforms, is AI-powered content the next step in digital entertainment or a warning sign for how far we’ll go to automate creativity?Have thoughts on the episode or ideas for future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

On October 10th, 2015, a fire tore through a halting site in Carrickmines, claiming ten lives — five of them children and one unborn child. The tragedy shocked the nation, exposed long-standing inequalities, and calls for change in Traveller accommodation and safety.A decade later, how much has really changed? Or do those calls remain since one of Ireland’s darkest mornings.In today’s episode, Ciara revisits the events of that night with journalist Tessa Ndjonkou, retracing the timeline of the fire and the lives it altered forever.Later, Bernard Joyce, Director of the Irish Traveller Movement, joins to reflect on what progress has been made and where we still fall short.From persistent housing failures to political inaction, Bernard argues that too many Traveller families remain at risk in unsafe or unsuitable conditions.Ten years after Carrickmines, we ask: what lessons were truly learned — and could it happen again?Any thoughts or questions on today’s episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

When former England rugby captain Lewis Moody revealed he’d been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, he joined a heartbreaking list of athletes, like Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow, whose lives were changed by the illness. MND is a devastating neurological condition that progressively weakens the body, and in recent years, concern has grown over whether elite sport could be a contributing factor,.  But is there really a link between repeated head impacts and the onset of this disease, or are genetics and chance playing a greater role? In today’s episode, Ciara Doherty is joined by Professor Orla Hardiman, Professor of Neurology at Trinity College Dublin and Director of Ireland’s National ALS Service, to explore what we actually know about the causes of MND — and what science can and can’t tell us about its connection to sport. Later, Kevin Burn, CEO of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, discusses the work of his charity and some of the help they offer to people diagnosed with the disease.Can research bring us closer to prevention or even a cure? Our thanks to BBC for use of clips. Want to share your thoughts or suggest future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.  

Some budgets deliver stability — others end in political disaster. Ireland’s history is full of both. With Budget 2026 about to be unveiled, Ciara Doherty and Daniel McConnell, editor of the Business Post and co-author (with John Lee) of Hell at the Gates: The Inside Story of Ireland’s Financial Downfall, reflect on moments when budgets went awry. From Ray “Mac the Knife” McSharry’s brutal cuts in the 1980s, to Charlie McCreevy’s boom-era generosity — and his short-lived attempt at tax individualisation that sparked a backlash from families — right through to Brian Lenihan’s crisis budgets during the financial crash, the podcast explores how misjudged measures can haunt governments for years. Ciara and Danny also dig into why “budget kites” are floated in the media, what’s really happening in the lobbying frenzy at Merrion Street, and how secrecy around the speech itself can make or break public reaction. With over €2.2 billion in temporary cost-of-living supports on the line this year, can Paschal Donohoe and Jack Chambers avoid repeating the mistakes of their predecessors when they reveal their plans later today? Stay with Newstalk for full coverage of Budget 2026 across the day, on air, online at newstalk.com, on Instagram @newstalkradio, and on the GoLoud app.  

The space race didn’t end with Apollo. It just changed rivals. This Space Week, the podcast dives into the new contest playing out far above our heads — between the United States and China. Billions are being poured into rockets, satellites and lunar missions, but behind the dazzling science is a darker reality: allegations of spying, stolen technology and military ambitions that could decide who controls the future of space. NASA has barred Chinese nationals from its facilities citing security fears, while Beijing accuses “foreign agents” of targeting its scientists. At the same time, both sides are racing for the Moon, not just to plant a flag, but to secure resources and set the rules for decades to come. Is this really about exploration, or are we witnessing the early moves in a new Cold War in orbit? And what role does Europe play as NASA’s partner but also as an ambitious space power in its own right? Ciara Doherty is joined by Dr Mark Hilborne, Senior Lecturer in the School of Security Studies at King’s College London and a lecturer on the Irish Defence Forces’ Advanced Command Staff Course, to discuss espionage fears, Moon ambitions, and the risks of turning space into the next battlefield. Want to feed back on the episode or suggest future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Ask anyone in Ireland about the Freemasons and you’ll probably hear the same three words: secrecy, symbols and myth. The so-called “secret society” has long been blamed for everything from pulling political strings to controlling world banks. But how much of that is reality – and how much is conspiracy theory? On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by David J. Butler, Provincial Grand Librarian and Archivist with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Munster Freemasons, to separate the fact from the fiction. Where did Freemasonry begin, and what does it take to join? What happens inside a Masonic lodge – and do those famous handshakes and rituals exist? From the medieval guild roots of the Masons to modern-day charity work, from Elizabethan traditions to Irish paper trails that go back centuries, this conversation explores how a fraternity of stonemasons grew into one of the most mythologised organisations in the world. Along the way, Ciara asks about the most common misconceptions, the famous square and compass symbol, and why the UK’s Metropolitan Police is now debating whether officers should publicly declare Masonic links. So, are the Freemasons truly puppet-masters behind the scenes, or simply a fraternity that enjoys old customs and community spirit? This is your chance to hear directly from one Irish Mason. Got thoughts or questions about this episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a sweeping 20-point plan they say could end the war in Gaza after two years of devastation. The centrepiece is a ceasefire and reconstruction programme — but it comes with a surprise twist. The so-called “Board of Peace” that would oversee Gaza’s future is chaired by Trump himself and joined by none other than former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair’s appointment has provoked outrage in some quarters and eye-rolling in others. To Palestinians, his name is synonymous with the Iraq invasion and years of failed diplomacy. Hamas has rejected his involvement outright, calling it “foreign guardianship.” Even within his own Labour Party, many regard him as politically radioactive. Yet Blair’s allies insist he has a rare ability to speak to Washington, Jerusalem, and the Gulf capitals, and point to his role in Northern Ireland’s peace process as proof of his credentials. So is Blair really the man to bring peace to Gaza — or is this just another distraction in a region scarred by war and distrust? And what does the Trump-Netanyahu plan actually mean for the people of Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced? Joining the podcast from Beirut is award-winning journalist and author Rania Abouzeid, whose reporting has traced the fault lines of the Middle East from Iraq to Syria to Gaza. Ciara Doherty also listens-back to comments made by Donald Trump, Tony Blair himself, and Blair’s long-time adviser Alastair Campbell.  🌍 Visit Rania Abouzeid’s website: https://www.raniaabouzeid.com 

The threats are no longer abstract. In recent weeks, Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family were targeted with bomb hoaxes, kidnap threats and explicit intimidation that forced Gardaí and Interpol to step in. Across the Atlantic, Americans watched live as conservative activist Charlie Kirk was gunned down while carrying out his work in Utah. And four years ago this month, British MP Sir David Amess was murdered during a constituency surgery in Essex, stabbed 21 times in an attack that shocked Westminster and his local community. The pattern is clear and it's getting worse: politicians and their families are becoming targets in a new wave of violence that blurs the line between online rhetoric and real-world attacks. The cost is measured not just in lives lost but in the growing fear that public service itself is becoming a deadly risk. In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Katie Amess, daughter of the late Sir David Amess. From her home in California, she reflects on the trauma of losing her father, the unanswered questions about why he was left vulnerable, and her campaign for accountability from the British authorities. She also warns that the same failures within terrorist monitoring and complacency about policing she saw in the UK are now mirrored in Ireland and the US. This episode examines the rising tide of political violence — from Westminster to Dublin to Washington — and asks whether democracies can protect their representatives without sacrificing openness and accessibility. Four years on from her father’s killing, Katie Amess argues that leaders must not look away, because without systemic reform, the attacks will not stop. 

The Taoiseach has poured cold water on the idea of a border poll by 2030, but the debate about when — and how — such a vote might happen isn’t going away. In the early flurry of commentary on the presidential election, some even suggested it could fall within the term of the next occupant of Áras an Uachtaráin. Yet the truth is murkier: few people know the rules, and the Good Friday Agreement’s language is vaguer than many assume. So, who decides when the moment is right? What does “appears likely” really mean in law? And how much power rests with Westminster to stop or stall the process? In fact, as Sam McBride from the Belfast Telegraph recently highlighted, the Westminster parliament in London may still hold the final legislative key — something that even seasoned commentators have overlooked. On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Dr Jennifer Kavanagh, law lecturer at South East Technological University, about the Taoiseach’s remarks, the legal grey zones of the Northern Ireland Act, and why the debate is as much about politics and the vagaries of opinion polls as it is about law. If you’ve got thoughts on today’s episode or where the border poll debate is heading, drop us a line at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension from his late-night slot on American network ABC sparked outrage, boycotts, and furious claims of censorship. His return lasy week, however, pulled in a huge audience — more than six million live viewers and 26 million more online — and reignited a national debate about who really controls America’s television networks. At the heart of this row are the powerful corporations that own U.S. broadcast television: Disney (which owns ABC and ESPN), Comcast (which owns NBC and Telemundo), Paramount Global (which controls CBS), Fox Corporation (parent of the FOX network), and Nexstar Media Group (the country’s largest owner of local affiliate stations). Their decisions shape not only the fate of comedians like Jimmy Kimmel or Stephen Colbert, but also how political coverage reaches millions of Americans every night. Former President Donald Trump has accused the networks of bias and threatened their licences — a power regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Meanwhile, billionaire figures like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and media dynasties such as the Murdochs and Redstones remain closely tied to both the business and political sides of broadcasting. So how much of what Americans watch is decided by creative freedom, and how much by political pressure, business interests, or regulatory oversight? And what does the Kimmel controversy tell us about the future of free speech on television? In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by U.S. media analyst Claire Atkinson, host of The Media Mix, to untangle the complicated, deeply political world of media control. 👉 Follow Claire’s work on her Substack here: https://claireatkinson.substack.com

Guinness is back in the spotlight - not for what’s in the glass, but for the family saga now streaming on Netflix. House of Guinness tells the story of the so-called Royal Family of Stout, beginning with the death of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness and the fortunes — and misfortunes — of his heirs. But how much of what we’re binge-watching is rooted in truth, and how much has been dramatised for television? Novelist Emily Hourican joins Ciara Doherty on the podcast to separate history from fiction. From the monumental funeral of Sir Benjamin to the family’s mix of philanthropy and strategy, from the rise of Edward Cecil Guinness to the scandal-tinged glamour of the Guinness Girls, we trace how a Dublin brewing dynasty became a cultural mythology. We also explore the family’s surprising resilience through Ireland’s political upheavals, their role in shaping Dublin’s landscape, and how their legacy still echoes today. Emily Hourican’s own novels inspired by the dynasty, The Guinness Girls, offer another window into this extraordinary family. So, what do we learn when history, literature and television collide? And is there any truth to the so-called 'Guinness Curse'?Newstalk Daily reporter Alex Rowley went to the Dublin premiere of the show where he met three of its stars: Danielle Galligan, who plays Lady Olivia Hedges, Dervla Kirwan (Aunt Agnes Guinness), and Fionn O’Shea (Benjamin Guinness). 🔗 Emily Hourican’s website 📸 Follow Alex on Instagram @alexxrowley 

The NFL comes to Dublin this weekend, but this event is about more than helmets and touchdowns. When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park on Sunday, it won’t just be a game. It will be an American export loaded with politics, power, and money.  The NFL has long been linked with the US military, its pageantry often doubling as unashamed Pentagon-backed propaganda. The Vikings’ owner, Mark Wilf, chairs the Jewish Agency for Israel, which supports settlement building in the occupied West Bank. And while Ireland will bank millions in tourist revenue, some see the whole spectacle as sportswashing on a global stage. On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Off The Ball producer Mick McCarthy to ask whether this is a sporting triumph or, as critics argue, a soft power Trojan Horse. They discuss American football’s close links with the Trump administration in the United States, the shadow of Colin Kaepernick’s protest era, the silence of today’s NFL, the blurred line between cultural exchange and imperialism, and whether Croke Park should brace for demonstrations when ‘America’s Game’ kicks off in the home of the GAA. 

The line-up is set and the race for the Áras is officially on. The three contenders – Catherine Connolly, Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin – now face a month of high-stakes campaigning before voters make their choice on Friday 24 October. In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty gets you fully briefed on what to expect. First, Gerard Howlin, political advisor and Irish Times columnist, casts his eye over the field of candidates – weighing their strengths, their weaknesses, and whether anyone is already stumbling out of the gate. Then, UCC’s Professor Theresa Reidy takes us inside the machinery of a modern presidential campaign: the poster wars, the social media battles, the set-piece TV debates, the all-important turnout, and whether the final result will come down to transfers. If you want to understand not just who’s in the running but how the next four weeks will really play out, this is the place to start. 👥 Guests: Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant, Political Advisor, and Irish Times Columnist, and Professor Theresa Reidy, School of Government, University College Cork; Co-editor of How Ireland Voted series 📢 There’ll be lots of presidential coverage across Newstalk and the GoLoud network over the coming weeks. Keep an eye on 🌐 newstalk.com and 📸 @newstalkfm on Instagram for more details.  

It’s been more than a quarter of a century since Ireland’s primary school curriculum was last overhauled. Now, from next year, a new syllabus will be phased in across every primary and special school in the country. For the first time, 5th and 6th class pupils will learn about sexual orientation - a topic absent from the current curriculum. Puberty education will begin earlier, reflecting the reality that many children now experience it long before secondary school. Consent will also be introduced, not in a sexual context, but as part of teaching children that they have the right to set boundaries and say no. The aim is to prepare children for the lives they are already living, lives shaped by earlier puberty, smartphones, online influences, and the pressures of growing up in a far more connected world. But critics argue there are glaring gaps, particularly the absence of any discussion of gender identity, and questions remain about how schools of different ethos will deliver these lessons in practice. Psychologist Dr Elaine Byrnes joins Ciara to discuss what’s in — and what’s missing — from this long-awaited update to the way Irish children are taught about their bodies, their feelings, and their relationships.  Plus Josh Crosbie talks to people on the streets of Cork City about their responses to the reform of sex education in school. Got thoughts on this episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Ireland has always had a reputation for raising a glass — but something is changing. More and more of us are saying “not tonight,” as drinking habits shift across the country. On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is rejoined by Susan Hayes Culleton, the Positive Economist and host of Taking Stock. Together, they explore why alcohol consumption is falling, how Gen Z is rewriting nightlife with sober-curiosity, and what these changes mean for an industry that’s long been central to Irish social life. Susan shares striking data: the number of people who say they never drink is steadily increasing, while others report cutting back or drinking in new and more selective ways. Ciara admits she’s experimenting with sober-curiosity herself, while Susan describes becoming far pickier about quality, preferring to savour a good glass of wine over casual rounds. But beyond personal choice, economics are biting hard. Black Donkey Brewing, pioneers of wild yeast fermentation and the makers of the iconic Sheep Stealer and Underworld series, have wound down operations. Killarney Brewing Company closed its doors after post-Covid disruption, supply chain snags, and tariffs. Rye River Brewing has seen its costs rise by an astonishing 110% just four years, making survival difficult for smaller independents. Even Powerscourt Distillery, backed by a €25 million investment in premium Irish whiskey, has entered receivership — a stark sign of how vulnerable artisanal producers are to rising costs. Global politics adds yet another challenge. US tariffs on Irish spirits exports threaten one of the industry’s most lucrative markets, piling international pressure on top of domestic struggles. So is this simply the end of an era of excess? Or the beginning of a smarter, more selective drinking culture? And what happens to Ireland’s world-famous drinks industry if the next generation chooses club soda over craft stout? 📧 Have your say: How have your drinking habits changed? Drop Ciara an email at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 📻 Hear more from Susan: Listen to her show Taking Stock, Sundays at 9am on Newstalk, or anytime on GoLoud. 

Every September, more than a million people step out to celebrate Culture Night — an evening that transforms Ireland into a giant stage for music, theatre, dance, and visual art. From its modest beginnings in Dublin 20 years ago, it now stretches across 1,700 locations nationwide. But with so much creative energy packed into a single evening, the obvious question is: why stop there?In today's podcast, Ciara Doherty asks whether Ireland is missing a trick when it comes to its night-time economy. Why are we an outlier in Europe when it comes to late-night cultural events? Could dance music and club culture finally be recognised as a legitimate art form? And what would better funding, fairer pay, and changes to licensing and transport mean for the people keeping Ireland’s creative pulse alive?Joining Ciara are two guests who live and breathe this space: Ray O’Donoghue, Dublin’s Night-time Economy Advisor, and Natalie McCormack — better known as DJ NATMAC — the founder of the Electronic Music Council. Together they explore how Culture Night could be a springboard for something bigger, bolder, and lasting all year round.For more information about Culture Night, visit culturenight.ieFollow Natalie on Instagram: @natmacdj

As Europe sharpens sanctions on Israel and the Dáil returns to debate the Occupied Territories Bill, the political and emotional stakes have never been higher. At the heart of the argument lies not just goods traded from Israeli settlements, but the more complex question of services — the banking, tourism, technology and logistics networks that underpin the settlement economy and tie Ireland’s consumers and companies into the conflict in ways that are often invisible. For campaigners, excluding services from the draft bill strips it of real impact; for business leaders, represented by IBEC, expanding the law to cover services could expose Irish firms to huge compliance burdens and potential trade retaliation from allies like the United States. But the debate in Ireland is not only technical. It is profoundly moral. The finding of a UN Commission of Inquiry that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide has intensified public outrage and compassion, fuelling calls for Ireland to take a principled stand regardless of economic cost. Across Irish society, there is deep anger at the scale of suffering in the Palestinian territories, and a strong belief that trade policy must reflect conscience as well as commerce. At the same time, there is unease about how a ban on services might work in practice - from airlines and booking platforms carrying tourists into settlements, to financial and insurance services, to tech companies with offices straddling disputed land. In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk’s business editor Joe Lynam to explain exactly what the Occupied Territories Bill would do, why services were excluded from the government’s revised bill, how much trade is actually at stake, and what the practical consequences would be if Ireland pressed ahead with a wider ban. Together they explore why the US is so opposed, why IBEC has urged caution, and why so many ordinary Irish people believe that standing with Palestine is worth the price. Send us your thoughts — should Ireland expand the bill to include services, or focus on goods alone? Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

How many Orangemen live in the Republic of Ireland today? It’s a question thrust into political debate with the news that Fine Gael’s presidential candidate Heather Humphreys has personal and family links to the Orange Order. Humphreys, a Presbyterian from Monaghan, has attended Orange events, while reports suggest her husband Eric was a member in the past.In today's podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Quincey Dougan — himself a member of the Order and a historian — about the organisation’s presence south of the border. He traces the Order’s origins, its reputation as an avowedly anti-Catholic movement, and the reality of what it means to be an Orangeman in a majority-Catholic state.Why do many members in the Republic keep their affiliation private? Could Heather Humphreys’ links with Orangeism help build bridges to unionist, loyalist and Orangeist communities in Northern Ireland — or will they deepen divides, especially against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about Irish unity?This conversation explores an often-overlooked part of Irish society and its unexpected re-entry into the political spotlight.Got thoughts or questions? Drop us an email at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

This week, a case that gripped Britain for nearly two years reached its conclusion. Constance Marten — the aristocrat who vanished with her partner, Mark Gordon, and was later found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence — was sentenced. Both Marten and Gordon were given 14 years in prison over the death of their daughter Victoria. Gordon will serve a further four years on extended licence, while Marten will not be released until she has served at least two-thirds of her sentence. Their disappearance in late 2022 sparked a nationwide manhunt, a desperate search for a newborn baby, and a story that dominated headlines. Police pieced together how the couple evaded CCTV, relied on a network of safe houses, and carried their infant through a freezing winter — until their arrest in Brighton, and the tragic discovery of Victoria’s body days later. In court, Judge Mark Lucraft said the couple gave no “thought to the care or welfare” of their child, focusing only on themselves as they tried to avoid detection. He found Victoria’s death was caused by hypothermia — “the result of obvious neglect” — and accused the pair of showing no genuine remorse, instead blaming everyone else. From Martin’s privileged background and Gordon’s troubled past, through the disappearance and trials, to the final sentencing, this is a story that shocked Britain and continues to raise tough questions about parental responsibility, child protection, and the limits of the law. Ciara Doherty is joined by journalist Vincent McAviney, who has followed the case from the very beginning, reporting from Brighton on the morning of their arrests and throughout the subsequent trials.