Author name: greghughes

For years, Nikki Hayes was one of the most recognizable voices on Irish radio. From RTÉ 2FM to SPIN 1038, she enjoyed the kind of career many could only dream of. But behind the familiar voice and public success, a very different story was unfolding. Addiction would eventually cost Nikki almost everything. Her career, her

Eight years to get 0.13 seconds faster. How do you keep believing when the stopwatch won’t budge? Irish Olympian and European 800m champion Mark English knows the patience elite sport demands. After running a personal best in 2013, he waited until 2021 to improve it — a breakthrough that also broke a longstanding Irish record

In this episode, I sit down with retired Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, to reflect on a life shaped by faith, sport, education and service. We explore his early years, his connections to Belfast and his childhood passion for sport, before following his journey through education and theological formation towards the priesthood. He reflects on

This week, author, regular television personality and Ambassador for Harvey’s Point hotel, Noel Cunningham, joins us for an honest conversation about growing up gay in rural Donegal, the loneliness of feeling different, and his journey through alcohol addiction to sobriety. Known to many through his appearances on Ireland AM, Noel reflects on the experiences behind

From the Irish underground to Coachella and the Las Vegas Sphere, DJ and producer Rebūke has taken his sound around the world. His 2018 breakthrough, “Along Came Polly”, topped the Beatport chart, while collaborations with Anyma on “Syren” and deadmau5 on “Endless” have added to an impressive career. This week, Greg sits down with Rebūke,

From a family rooted in Ireland to the leadership of the world’s largest global law firm, Kate Barton’s story reaches across generations and continents. This week on The Greg Hughes Podcast, Greg welcomes Kate Barton, Global CEO of Dentons and a recipient of the 2026 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award. The granddaughter of four Irish

A proud Carrigart man who made his life in London, Brendan ‘Tiny’ Vaughan has spent decades helping others while keeping Donegal close to his heart. This week on The Greg Hughes Podcast, Tiny joins Greg ahead of receiving the 2026 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award for an honest, deeply personal and at times intensely emotional

From the Gaeltacht village of Rann na Feirste to the fictional shores of Ros na Rún, this week’s guest is a titan of Irish-language media whose career spans over three decades on stage, screen, and behind the camera. Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh joins the podcast to reflect on a remarkable life in storytelling. Best known to

Starting school is a milestone every parent marks with excitement — the tiny uniform, the brand-new shoes, the photo by the front door. But for Alicia McHugh, this week’s school run brings a painful reminder of the little boy who should have been standing in that photo. In November 2021, Alicia’s son Andrew was stillborn

Welcome to this special bonus episode of The Greg Hughes Podcast. On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda militants hijacked four commercial airliners in a coordinated terrorist attack against the United States, taking 2,977 civilian lives—including 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice at the World Trade Center. Marking the upcoming 25th anniversary of that fateful

This week on The Greg Hughes Podcast, Greg is joined by one of the sharpest storytellers in Northern Irish comedy—West Belfast’s own Paddy McDonnell! From his early days launching his stand-up career back in 2011 to quickly supporting comedy giants like Des Bishop and Ardal O’Hanlon, Paddy has carved out a massive reputation across Ireland

On this week’s episode of The Greg Hughes Podcast, Greg sits down with retired teacher, union leader, and veteran politician Doreen Sheridan-Kennedy. Those who listen to Greg and Doreen on live radio know that while the respect is deep, the on-air verbal jousting is guaranteed! True to form, this civil yet spirited conversation covers four

This week on The Greg Hughes Podcast, Donegal boxing star Jason Quigley joins the show for an honest, wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the ring. We dive deep into the full arc of his career—from the immense hype of his high-profile professional debut to the intensity and pressure of the big fight build-ups. Jason

In this episode of The Greg Hughes Podcast, Greg is joined in studio by Letterkenny Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry McMonagle for an in-depth conversation reflecting on his life, personal history, and political career. Gerry opens up about growing up in Derry during the height of the Troubles, his early activism, and the personal and political

In this episode, Greg is joined by Independent Councillor Declan Meehan (Letterkenny / Milford MD) and his husband, local GP Dr Padraig (Paudge) McGuinness, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about public life, community service, and personal resilience. In this episode: How It All Started: The Tinder match between Dublin and Belfast that led to

This week on The Greg Hughes Podcast, I’m joined by a living legend of Irish traditional music: fiddler, vocalist, and founding member of Altan, Born and raised in the heart of the West Donegal Gaeltacht of Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), Mairéad was immersed in music from an early age under the guidance of her father, the

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,

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,

What does it take to become the trusted confidant to some of the world’s most powerful, wealthy, and famous icons? In this episode, we step into the extraordinary world of Dunlewey’s own Patrick Gallagher. Patrick didn’t just watch twentieth-century history from the sidelines—he was the ultimate insider. From the majestic halls of Glenveagh Castle to

In June 2013, 26-year-old Newry native Kevin Bell tragically lost his life in New York. The overwhelming community response that followed raised far more than was needed to bring him home. Faced with profound personal grief, his parents, Ethne and Colin Bell, made a decision that would change Irish society: they used the surplus funds

This week, we are joined by a truly global heavy-hitter in the medical world who remains deeply rooted right here in Donegal. Professor Dennis McGonagle is a clinical academic and top NHS consultant at the University of Leeds. This year, he made history as the first person from the Republic of Ireland to be awarded

What does it take to survive 34 years at the coalface of Irish politics? In this episode of The Greg Hughes Podcast, we are joined by former Fine Gael TD and Minister of State, Dinny McGinley, for an unfiltered look back at a remarkable life and career. Born and raised in the West Donegal Gaeltacht,

In this episode, we sit down with rally legend Garry Jennings for a conversation that is as harrowing as it is inspiring. After a horror crash at the 2025 Cavan Stages Rally left him fighting for his life, Garry’s future in the sport—and his future, period—was hanging in the balance. Today, he joins us to

What does it take to completely turn your life around when you’re facing rock bottom? This week on The Greg Hughes Podcast, Greg sits down with Donegal entrepreneur Francie, who at just 31 years old has built two thriving fitness businesses in the county: Intensity Fitness and ECA Donegal. But his path to success was

Over twenty years since he captured the nation’s attention on You’re a Star and represented Ireland at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest with the number-one hit “We’ve Got the World,” Mickey Joe reflects openly on the reality of sudden fame, the mechanics of the music industry, and his life off-stage. In this candid conversation, Mickey

What happens when the party stops, but the drinking doesn’t? This week, we sit down with well-known DJ and radio contributor Joe Decks for an incredibly raw, honest, and powerful conversation about his battle with alcohol addiction. From the early days of student life and the high-energy nightlife of the DJ booth, Joe details how

In this episode, we sit down with Mirenda Rosenberg, the voice behind the massive “Homestead Donegal” community and a tireless advocate for survivors of domestic abuse. Mirenda’s story is one of incredible resilience. Raised in a restrictive religious environment outside Washington D.C., she eventually moved to Ireland over 20 years ago. What was intended by

At 95 years old, Paddy Kerrigan’s journey from south Donegal to the Snowy Mountains of Australia is nothing short of legendary. This week, we sit down with the Bundoran native to discuss his recent investiture at Government House, where he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) by Governor-General Sam Mostyn. Paddy

In 1969, the heat of re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere reached nearly 3,000°C. Protecting the Apollo 11 astronauts from incinerating was a heat shield coated in a specialized resin—a resin developed by a young chemist from Inver, County Donegal. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Peter Coyle as he approaches his 89th birthday. Despite

In the most northerly peninsula in Ireland, geography can often be a barrier to safety. For over 30 years, Mary Doherty has been breaking down those barriers. Mary is one of the founding figures of Lifeline Inishowen, a service that began as a response to a desperate local need and has grown into a gold-standard

In April 1986, a fire at the O’Donnell family home changed the course of five lives and left a community in shock. It has been forty years since that night, yet for Angela O’Donnell and her sons, the memory of those lost—Sharon, Joanne, Adrian, and baby Kevin—remains a constant presence. This week, Angela and her