Shows / The Claire Byrne Show

The Claire Byrne Show
Claire Byrne explores the big stories through the lens of real life.
This podcast brings context, consequences and clarity to the issues shaping Ireland today.
Covering politics and current affairs alongside the human stories behind them, Claire asks the questions people are thinking, but don’t always hear answered.
From housing and health to work, family life, well-being and culture, you’ll hear smart, engaging discussion and moments of light relief - connecting the dots between what’s…
Episodes
The Claire Byrne ShowJames McClean will he stay or will he go?
There have been reports that former Ireland international James McClean could be about to part ways with Derry City after a tumultuous few months back at the…
The Claire Byrne ShowBashar al Assad has been sentenced to death for war crimes
The former Syrian President, Bashar al Assad has been sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes. To give us the latest on this…
The Claire Byrne ShowBezos set to acquire a stake in Liverpool Football Club
Amazon founder and billionaire, Jeff Bezos, is set to acquire a stake in Liverpool Football Club. What does it mean for the future of one of the most…
The Claire Byrne ShowCelebrating Ireland's breadmakers
Once again on the show we are celebrating all things wonderful Irish food. Today we're focusing on the bread makers. Joining Ciara in studio to chat about…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe Clacton by-election is being held this Thursday
The Clacton by-election is being held this Thursday. The by-election initiated by Nigel Farage in protest at parliamentary scrutiny of his financial affairs…
The Claire Byrne ShowWhat are flock cameras?
Automatic number plate recognition has been in use by police forces, including Gardaí for some time. In the US that technology has been taken a step further…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe race to identify and control dangerous synthetic drugs
Designer drugs that can’t be detected by routine hospital drug tests are causing twice the amount of poisonings in the last three years. These substances are…
The Claire Byrne ShowTupac Shakur murder trial begins
The trial has begun in Las Vegas of a man accused of one of the most high-profile unresolved murders in the United States. Rapper Tupac Shakur was murdered 30…
The Claire Byrne ShowDo painkillers make us more susceptible to sunburn?
As the heatwaves continue and people soak up the sun, advice has been issued that some painkillers, like ibuprofen, increase the risk of sunburn. Speaking to…
The Claire Byrne ShowParenting: Teaching kids gratitude
From summer camps, to daytrips to foreign holidays. Parents try to do it all to occupy their children in the summer but how often have you heard ‘I’m bored’…
The Claire Byrne ShowDrought tightens grip as farmers count mounting costs
Last month was one of the hottest and driest Julys on record. With farms across the country are having to deal with drought conditions that are harming crops…
The Claire Byrne ShowIs there such a thing as a ‘performative reader’?
Is there such a thing as ‘performative reader’ ? Someone who reads to come across as intelligent rather than for their love of a good book? Ciara asked both…
The Claire Byrne ShowWhat are we doing when we catastrophise?
Have you ever been accused of 'catastrophising'? If you have, you're not alone, it's actually a psychological condition... To tell us more is Dr Harry Barry.
The Claire Byrne ShowDobby's grave diverts a power link worth millions
News has emerged on the role that Harry Potter fans played in diverting a power link between Ireland and the UK worth hundreds of millions. Fans raised…
The Claire Byrne ShowA look back on the weekend of sporting action
For a look at the sports stories making the headlines was Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan.
The Claire Byrne ShowHave you established your power of attorney?
Have you established your power of attorney? A lot of people assume it willjust fall into place with your next of kin when the times comes. That is often not…
The Claire Byrne ShowShould Ireland introduce a generational smoking ban?
The government is considering a generational ban on tobacco and nicotine inhaling products. This move would make it illegal to sell cigarettes and vapes to…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe top burglary hotspots in Ireland
The top burglary hotspots in Ireland have been revealed, with some counties proving far more likely to be targeted than others. To talk through these figures…
The Claire Byrne ShowTravel with Ed: Things to see and do in Pittsburgh
Ed Finn, travel expert with Edfinn travels joined Ciara in studio. Two locations to cover this morning,the Fleadh in Belfast and also things to see and do in…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe future of the Phoenix park
The Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed public parks in any capital city in Europe but it is not without its problems. Olivia Kelly has been writing…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe rise of silver screen spirituality
If you're sick of searching for God among wooden pews and stained-glass windows, why not head to your local cinema and find the Lord there? Newstalk's Sarah…
The Claire Byrne ShowPeace Plan rejected by Israel for Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the 15-point peace plan proposed by the US-led Board of Peace. He said Israel will not withdraw until…
The Claire Byrne ShowDaniel Kinahan charged in the Special Criminal Court
Daniel Kinahan has been charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation. He appeared in the Special criminal court yesterday evening following…
The Claire Byrne ShowClaire Byrne Recommends: Never Have I Ever
Here’s an episode of Never Have I Ever, the podcast series in which I admit to the things I’ve never done. This week, Dún Laoghaire TD Richard Boyd Barrett…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe Debrief
Welcome to the Debrief, where we look back on some of the biggest stories of the week. Ciara was joined today by Political Editor with the Irish Daily Mail…
The Claire Byrne ShowIs swimming one of the best things you can do for your back?
Is swimming one of the best things you can do for your back? A new medical trial is the first to properly test whether swimming really helps people with…
The Claire Byrne ShowAre cars simply just too big these days?
Have cars gotten too big for our roads and our parking spots? Ciara discuss this issue with Oisin Coughlan, Policy advisor to the Environmental piller and…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe new Spider-Man movie wins big at the box office
The new Spider-Man movie, Brand New Day has broken box office records once again, after having the second biggest box office opening weekend in history. So…
The Claire Byrne ShowProposing a ban on ‘vertical drinking’ in London pubs
Westminster Council has proposed a ban on ‘vertical drinking’ in London pubs. This would mean punters would have to be seated, and order their drinks at the…
The Claire Byrne ShowTips for your little one’s lunchbox
With the start of the school year looming, I’m sure we will soon start thinking of what to put in our little one’s lunchbox. As much as it’s about what they…
The Claire Byrne ShowAmanda Knox’s comedy show backlash
The family of Meredith Kercher has criticised a solo comedy show by Amanda Knox. Knox's show, Cartwheel, is about motherhood and how she will explain what…
The Claire Byrne ShowWhy do we have nightmares?
Nightmares could be stopped using the psychoactive compound in cannabis, a study reveals. A Berlin University found that more than half of patients responded…
The Claire Byrne ShowWhat has been trending online this week?
Michaela Hayes, Spin 1038 presenter joined Ciara to go through the stories that are trending online this week.
The Claire Byrne ShowDoes dismantling the Triple Lock mean forsaking our neutrality?
While the Dail is in summer recess there are many bills sitting on tables waiting to be debated. One of those is the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2026 which…
The Claire Byrne ShowWowing the seeds of a future third party in US politics
President Donald Trump’s most vocal opponents on the right are sowing the seeds of a future third party in US politics. Tucker Carlson met with the likes of…
The Claire Byrne ShowDo we need longer school days?
The Department of Education is set to review primary school hours, and the primary curriculum. Do school hours need to be longer, do we need more breaks and…
The Claire Byrne ShowGoing Green: The impact of the raging wildfires in Europe
With wildfires burning around the globe. We ask what impact is it having on the environment and why are they so prevalent? Ciara discusses this and more with…
The Claire Byrne ShowGovernment initiatives to improve gender equality
“Tradwife” influencers and other online trends seen as pressuring women into “particular care roles” are to be challenged as part of a Government-funded…
The Claire Byrne ShowCelebrating the life and work of Brenda Fricker
Today is the funeral of Irish Actor Brenda Fricker. We celebrate her life and work is Film Reviewer Cara O'Doherty.
The Claire Byrne ShowCould be see VAR in GAA?
Ciaran Kilkenny, an eight-time All-Ireland winner with Dublin, has suggested a way to bring technology into the GAA. How could this work? We get the thoughts…
The Claire Byrne ShowAll you need to know about mortgages
Listeners to the show have been sending in their mortgages questions. To help answer them and give some guidance and advice was Chairperson of the Association…
The Claire Byrne Show5th year of college football in Ireland
Dublin is preparing to host the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between TCU Horned Frogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Ahead of the big game and…
The Claire Byrne ShowHenry gallops to the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show!
It's Best Dressed Day at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show with a cash prize of €10,000 for the winner and over 120,000 people expected to attend. The brand new…
The Claire Byrne ShowWhy don’t we develop our derelict sites?
Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness have been given the go ahead on rejuvenating the old Phoenix cinema in Dingle into an arts centre. Given the amount of…
The Claire Byrne ShowIs fog an issue for the new government jet?
The government’s new jet may struggle to land in foggy weather. This is due to the state requesting that Israeli navigation systems be excluded from the plane…
The Claire Byrne ShowElon Musk revealed his predictions for the future
In a sit down interview with The Economist, the worlds richest man Elon Musk revealed his predictions for the future. Among many visions he has, one of them is…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe influence of the alcohol health warning labels?
New research has shown a 25% drop in consumers buying alcohol after seeing the new health warnings planned for the products. Speaking to Ciara this morning was…
The Claire Byrne ShowWhat Made Me: Dr Niamh Shaw
This week on our 'What Made Me' slot was Dr Niamh Shaw, Scientist, explorer, engineer and space obsessive!
The Claire Byrne ShowA new controversy has hit the cycling world
A new controversy has hit the cycling world, as female cyclists will now be subject to extra checks over the potential use of padded bras in the sport. To…
The Claire Byrne ShowAre modern soldiers being trained through gaming?
In the UK, the Ministry of Defence have given a two-billion-pound contract to a consortium that develops virtual gaming, to help train their soldiers. So how…
The Claire Byrne ShowWhat should you actually keep in the fridge?
Three in four of us are confused by what goes in the fridge, a study has revealed. Many turn to google for answers, and two thirds of people fight with their…
The Claire Byrne ShowLive longer live better!
We all want to live longer, but do we need to start living better? When we get to old age, that we still have the quality of life to go with it? To share some…
The Claire Byrne ShowNo tickets for Ireland fans for games against Israel
The FAI have confirmed that they will not allow Irish fans to attend the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel. To discuss this move from the Irish…
The Claire Byrne ShowActor Adam Garcia on his role in The Bodyguard
Actor Adam Garcia is currently starring as Frank Farmer in the smash-hit The Bodyguard. The show is currently showing at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre 04 – 08…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe legal aid row rumbles
The legal aid row rumbles on as the Law Society wrote to the Minister over the weekend repeating the concerns of its members. Speaking to Ciara was Thomas…
The Claire Byrne ShowEirebus seeks onsite staff accommodation units
Eirebus operate the Swords Express in Dublin. They have said there's a “severe shortage” of suitable sites for employees. They are trying to retain 19 modular…
The Claire Byrne ShowHeavy Russian missile and drone attack in Ukraine
A heavy Russian missile and drone attack killed at least 17 people and injured another 44. This attack happened in Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv and its…
The Claire Byrne ShowIreland becomes an EV-first market for the first time
Electric cars have overtaken hybrid to become Ireland’s single most popular engine type for the first time. This means Ireland are now an “EV-first” market…
The Claire Byrne ShowThe financial come down from time well spent
Fun summers are often really expensive! But how do we cope with the financial come down from time well spent? To tell us was Irish Financial Expert Kel Galavan.
The Claire Byrne ShowMinister Jack Chambers on the upcoming budget
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Jack Chambers joined Ciara in studio this morning. A lot to discuss including the upcoming budget, the issue of…