The Greg Hughes Podcast | Ep 31 Mary Coughlan: Life, Politics and Donegal GAA

The Greg Hughes Show | Friday | 24/07/26

[https://highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Greg-Hughes-2026.png] Today we tackle the issue of government over-regulation, local infrastructure debates, inspiring charity drives, and expert analysis ahead of the All-Ireland Football Final. Inside Today’s Episode: 💬 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f4ac.png] The Friday Panel: Michael White of the Green Party, Fianna Fáil’s Claudia Kennedy, and Donegal News journalist Naomi Hamilton O’Donnell join Greg in-studio to thrash out the week’s biggest stories: * The “Ban on Bans” Debate: In light of increasing public health and safety regulations, the panel debates whether the state has gone too far—asking if we should metaphorically “ban the government from banning things” to preserve personal risk and freedom. * Bail Law Reform: The guests weigh in on the findings of a recent report critiquing Ireland’s bail system and pre-trial detention practices. * Letterkenny Traffic Gridlock: Traffic in Letterkenny dominates local discussion once again following this week’s commute trials and town center debates. * Dining Out Decline: The panel analyzes a fresh economic report revealing a notable decline in people eating out, discussing the impact of rising costs on the local hospitality sector. 🎙 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f399.png] The Greg Hughes Podcast Preview: We share a preview clip of this week’s long-form podcast episode featuring former Tánaiste Mary Coughlan. She speaks candidly about her personal life, loss, her long career in Irish politics, and her history-making role in Donegal GAA. ☕ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/2615.png] Putting the Kettle On for Relay for Life: Country music legend Daniel O’Donnell joins Greg to look ahead to next Tuesday, where he and his wife Majella will be putting the kettle on to raise crucial funds and awareness for Relay for Life Donegal. ⛳ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/26f3.png] Golfing for Ronald McDonald House:  Sean Quinn and Victor Byrne preview a major fundraising golf day at Dunfanaghy Golf Club in aid of Ronald McDonald House. They are joined by Claire, who shares her deeply personal story of staying at the house while her son, Oscar, underwent life-saving medical treatment. 🏆 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f3c6.png] All-Ireland Final Prediction: GAA analyst Brendan Devenney stops by to break down the tactics, key match-ups, and make his final prediction for Sunday’s massive All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final between Kerry and Mayo. 🎧 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f3a7.png] Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news: The post The Greg Hughes Show | Friday | 24/07/26 [https://highlandradio.com/2026/07/24/the-greg-hughes-show-friday-24-07-26/] appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport [https://highlandradio.com].

The Greg Hughes Podcast | Ep 31 Mary Coughlan: Life, Politics and Donegal GAA

[https://highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/maryCand-Greg-scaled-e1784843001299.jpeg]In this episode, we sit down with former Tánaiste, Cabinet Minister, and current Chairperson of the Donegal GAA County Board, Mary Coughlan. We take a wide-ranging look back at her life and career—from entering national politics at just 21 as the youngest TD in the country, to managing high-stakes government portfolios during turbulent economic times, and her recent return to public life leading Gaelic games in her home county. WHAT WE COVER * The Family Roots in Donegal Politics: Growing up in Inver/Frosses. How the tragic death of her uncle, TD Clem Coughlan, in a 1983 car crash brought her father Cathal into politics—and how his sudden death just three years later launched Mary’s own career on Donegal County Council at age 21. * Entering the Dáil at 21: Becoming the youngest TD in the 25th Dáil in 1987, learning the ropes as a young woman in Leinster House, and serving as a fluent Irish speaker championing Gaeltacht affairs. * The Cabinet & Tánaiste Years: Looking back on her rapid rise through major government roles—including Agriculture, Social Affairs, Enterprise, Education, and Health—and serving as Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil during the financial crisis. * Life Beyond Leinster House: Balancing high office with family life, the personal impact of her late husband David Charlton’s severe car accident and subsequent passing in 2012, and reflecting on losing her seat in 2011. * A New Chapter in Donegal: Returning to the public eye to advocate for women in farming and making history as the first female Chairperson of the Donegal GAA County Board. The post The Greg Hughes Podcast | Ep 31 Mary Coughlan: Life, Politics and Donegal GAA [https://highlandradio.com/2026/07/24/the-greg-hughes-podcast-ep-31-mary-coughlan-life-politics-and-donegal-gaa/] appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport [https://highlandradio.com].

The Greg Hughes Show |Thursday| 23/07/2026

[https://highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Greg-Hughes-2026.png] Today we tackle the reality of Letterkenny’s commute times, severe mental health pressures on farm families, a dramatic rescue story from a decorated winch paramedic, and a celebration of local youth culture taking over the town park. Inside Today’s Episode: 🗞 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f5de.png] The Morning Press: We start with our daily review of the front pages, tracking the leading regional and national headlines breaking this morning. 🚗 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f697.png] The Letterkenny Commute Reality Check: Following claims yesterday that Letterkenny traffic has hit gridlock and is driving people away from town, we put the rumors to the test. Presenters Donna-Marie Doherty and Shannen Wilkin take to the roads throughout the first hour to time real-world commutes around Letterkenny—and the actual findings might just surprise you! 🚜 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f69c.png] Mental Health Pressures on Farm Families: Professor Siobhán O’Connor discusses a troubling new study examining the intense mental health burdens currently affecting Irish farm families. She outlines why a vast majority of those struggling are still not availing of the support services available to them, and what needs to change to break the rural stigma. 🏛 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f3db.png] Proposals for New Municipal Councils: Local representative Nicholas Crossan reacts to new political proposals calling for the establishment of official Municipal Councils across the country, assessing what this restructuring could mean for local government, regional power, and community decision-making. 🚁 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f681.png] Brave Dingle Rescue Honored: Strabane native and winch paramedic James O’Neill joins the show to discuss receiving the prestigious 2026 Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Memorial Trophy. James recounts the high-stakes 2025 operation where he was winched down onto a stricken French fishing vessel driven onto rocks near Dingle in storm conditions to safely evacuate all 14 crew members. 🎉 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f389.png] Party in the Park 2026 Preview: We look forward to the annual Party in the Park returning this Saturday, July 25th, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Bernard McGlinchey Town Park in Letterkenny. * Behind the Festival: Event organizer Frankie McGreevy from Donegal Youth Service drops into the studio to share what is in store for this year’s drug- and alcohol-free family festival. * Live In-Studio Performance: Local performer Paula Janik joins us for a live acoustic performance ahead of her stage appearance at the park this weekend. 💼 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f4bc.png] Business Matters Preview: Chris Ashmore stops by to preview this week’s Business Matters podcast, catching us up on all the essential commercial, enterprise, and economic news shaping the Donegal landscape. 🎧 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f3a7.png] Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news: The post The Greg Hughes Show |Thursday| 23/07/2026 [https://highlandradio.com/2026/07/23/the-greg-hughes-show-thursday-23-07-2026/] appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport [https://highlandradio.com].

The Greg Hughes Show | Wednesday | 22/07/2026

[https://highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Greg-Hughes-2026.png] Today we bring you a major healthcare victory for a Donegal family, practical medical advice for surviving peak summer hay fever, and an extensive, multi-sided debate on Letterkenny’s growing traffic crisis. Inside Today’s Episode: 🗞 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f5de.png] The Morning Press: We kick off the program with our daily review of the front pages, reviewing the top regional and national headlines breaking this morning. 💊 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f48a.png] Life-Changing News for Aaron Langan: Dermot Langan joins Greg to share joyous news following an intense, widely supported public campaign. Dermot’s son, Aaron, has officially been approved to receive the breakthrough drug Givinostat—a major milestone in his medical treatment and a moment of enormous relief for his family and supporters. 🌸 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f338.png] Beating Summer Hay Fever: Allergy specialist Colm Cosgrave drops by with expert guidance on managing seasonal allergies. He offers practical tips on preventing flare-ups, selecting the right treatments, and minimizing symptoms as pollen counts peak across the region. 🚗 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f697.png] The Letterkenny Traffic Gridlock Debate: We host an in-depth, multi-perspective debate on Letterkenny’s ongoing traffic woes, exploring why gridlock continues to paralyze the town and what needs to be done: * Avoiding the Town: Journalist Pat McArt argues that chronic delays and gridlock are actively driving shoppers and visitors away, with many choosing to avoid Letterkenny altogether due to unpredictable travel times. * The Business Perspective: Businessman and Letterkenny Chamber member Leonard Watson acknowledges the peak-time pressure points but offers a counter-perspective, asserting that outside of standard rush hours, the town remains vibrant, accessible, and open for business. * Political Clash on Active Travel & Ten-T: Cllrs Gerry McMonagle and Ciarán Brogan go head-to-head on the controversial traffic-calming measures, cycling infrastructure, and Active Travel schemes introduced across town. They clash over whether these measures are helping or hurting traffic flow—and assess the actual delivery timeline for the long-awaited Ten-T major road development. * Your Views: We read through a flood of texts and emails from listeners sharing their daily commuting nightmares, shortcut tips, and suggestions for solving Letterkenny’s gridlock. 🎧 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f3a7.png] Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news: The post The Greg Hughes Show | Wednesday | 22/07/2026 [https://highlandradio.com/2026/07/22/the-greg-hughes-show-wednesday-22-07-2026/] appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport [https://highlandradio.com].

The Greg Hughes Podcast | Ep 30 Beyond the Pulpit with Canon David Skuce

[https://highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/cannonpic-e1784644292933.jpg]As Canon David Skuce officially steps into retirement following seven years as Rector of the Dunfanaghy Union of Parishes, we sat down with him just days before his final service to look back on a remarkable 38-year career in ordained ministry. In this broad-ranging conversation, Canon Skuce reflects on his time serving Holy Trinity, Raymunterdoney, and Killult (Falcarragh), growing up in a Fermanagh rectory as the son of Archdeacon Leonard Skuce, and his life’s work within the Church of Ireland. We discuss: * The “Ministry of Presence”: His recollections of standing alongside the community and Fr John Joe Duffy during the aftermath of the Creeslough tragedy in 2022, and why simply showing up for people is the most important role of a pastor. * Faith & Community: The presence of the Church of Ireland in Donegal today, how it differs from the Church of England, and the ongoing importance of cross-community and inter-church dialogue. * Global Perspective: His insights on the situation in Israel following years of leading diocesan pilgrimages to the Middle East, Rome, and beyond. * Life Outside the Pulpit: His passion for motorcycling—from touring on his V-Strom 650 across Scandinavia, Morocco, and the West Coast of America to his trip to New Zealand earlier this year. * Outdoor Adventures & Sabbaticals: Canoeing out to Tory Island and back as a senior sea kayaking instructor, serving as Northern Ireland Chaplain to the Scouts, and his three-month sabbatical in South Africa helping out in local parish kitchens. Plus, Canon Skuce shares his famous golden rule for hosting: “Anything can be cooked at 180 degrees for an hour and a half!” The post The Greg Hughes Podcast | Ep 30 Beyond the Pulpit with Canon David Skuce [https://highlandradio.com/2026/07/22/the-greg-hughes-podcast-ep-30-beyond-the-pulpit-with-canon-david-skuce/] appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport [https://highlandradio.com].