The Claire Byrne Show
News & Politics Podcasts
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 happening and what it means for you.
Location:
Ireland
Genres:
News & Politics Podcasts
Description:
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 happening and what it means for you.
Language:
English
Email:
digital@newstalk.com
Episodes
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to face pressure in the UK
4/21/2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to face pressure in the UK, as a former top official at the Foreign Office, Olly Robbins, has been giving evidence to MPs this morning on the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. To give the latest on this, we heard from London Correspondent with The Irish Times, Mark Paul.
Duration:00:10:43
Everyday Foods: Salads
4/21/2026
TV Chef and mindful eating coach Aisling Larkin joined Claire in studio to talk all things salads.
Duration:00:08:56
Are vape shops are enticing children to purchase the products?
4/21/2026
The “neon lights” and “cartoon style branding” of vape shops is catching the eyes of 12-year-old walking home from school .So says Fergal Nealon, Fine Gael Councillor for Sligo County Council who believes vape shops are enticing children to purchase the products.
Duration:00:08:30
Are the Arts inclusive enough?
4/21/2026
Are the Arts inclusive enough? Two people trying to make it more so are Aisling Byrne, Writer and Director of the new short film Mary is Missing. Also Actor Derek McSweeney who stars in Mary is Missing. The both joined Claire this morning in studio.
Duration:00:13:21
Tim Cook has announced he will step down as CEO of Apple
4/21/2026
Tim Cook has announced he will step down as CEO of Apple, 15 years after he took over from Steve Jobs. Many had questioned if anyone could follow the man who dreamed up the iPhone, but Cook did and grew the business to become the first trillion dollar company.
Duration:00:10:03
Government saving scheme how can everyone reaps the benefits?
4/21/2026
Much has been made of Tánaiste Simon Harris’ plans for a new savings scheme . But how do we make sure everyone can avail, and everyone reaps the benefits? All to discuss with Dan O’Brien is Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European affairs.
Duration:00:09:40
Ceasefire deadline between the US and Iran is quickly approaching
4/21/2026
The ceasefire deadline between the US and Iran is quickly approaching. While no official end time has been confirmed, the timing two weeks ago was for it ending at 1am on Wednesday. To discuss the situation further with Claire was Tara Kangarlou,, Global Affairs journalist and author of The Heartbeat of Iran, and Cormac McGarry, Director for maritime security services at Control Risks.
Duration:00:13:33
An economic forecast is coming from Government today
4/21/2026
An economic forecast is coming from Government today and we expect to hear that the Irish economy will keep growing, despite global unrest. All to discuss with The Political Correspondent for the Irish Examiner, Louise Burne.
Duration:00:09:39
How to parent a teenager in today’s world?
4/21/2026
Parenting teens can feel like a balancing act, between giving them space and staying connected. So how do you parent a teenager in today's world? All to discuss with Dr Claire Crowe, Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
Duration:00:11:28
Beware of angry seagulls at Galway Clinic!
4/21/2026
Patients and visitors at Galway Clinic have been warned that they may be attacked by “aggressive” seagulls. Angry gulls have swooped in recent weeks on occupants of vehicles in the multi-storey car park at the hospital as they emerged from their vehicles.
For more on this Claire heard from Fine Gael Councillor Frank McNamara.
Duration:00:06:28
Amnesty International Ireland annual report "The State of the World’s Human Rights”.
4/21/2026
Amnesty International says that the world is on the brink of a perilous new era for the purpose of control, impunity and profit. Speaking to Claire was Executive Director, Amnesty International Ireland, Stephen Bowen as Amnesty launches its annual report, called “ The State of the World’s Human Rights”.
Duration:00:08:38
Policy change in the rent-a-room relief scheme
4/21/2026
In a policy shift by government, homeowners will be allowed to rent out modular homes on their property as part of the Rent-A-Room relief scheme. Whether it will be able to address some symptoms of the housing crisis remains to be seen. To get the finer details Claire spoke toFine Gael TD Barry Ward, and Labour Spokesperson for Housing, Conor Sheehan.
Duration:00:09:57
Reaction to commentary on rural Ireland by Leo Varadkar
4/21/2026
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has hit out at his former boss, Leo Varadkar, for being “unnecessarily divisive” in his commentary on rural Ireland. The former Taoiseach has caused huge unease within Fine Gael after claiming urban dwellers need to be “more blunt” in telling country people “we’re the ones paying all the bills”.
We get reaction with Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmers Association.
Duration:00:09:21
The Claire Byrne book club reviews Love Forms by Claire Adam
4/20/2026
It's time for 'The Claire Byrne Book Club' . This week we review 'Love Forms' by Claire Adam. Joining Claire to chat about the book was Sinead Cuddihy, of the Tired Mammy Book Club and also one of our listeners Dave Meehan from Wicklow who’s in an International Book Club.
Duration:00:09:44
Is Ireland is sleepwalking into a food security crisis?
4/20/2026
Many experts believe that Ireland is sleepwalking into a food security crisis and that the worlds food system is as fragile as the banking system was in 2008. Claire discusses this further with Environmental campaigner and columnist with The Guardian George Monbiot.
Duration:00:12:35
Ardal O’Hanlon, actor, writer, and author of ‘A Plot To Die For’
4/20/2026
Ardal O'Hanlon dropped into studio with Claire to chat about his new book 'A Plot To Die For'.
Duration:00:21:27
A look back on the weekend of sport
4/20/2026
Eoin Sheahan from Off The Ball looks back on the weekend of sport.
Duration:00:11:32
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will battle to save his job
4/20/2026
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will battle to save his job in Parliament today, following last week's revelation that civil servants in the Foreign Office withheld information from him about red flags in the initial vetting process for Peter Mandelson.
What now for the UK Prime Minister. All to discuss with Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor of the Financial Times.
Duration:00:04:09
Mother and Baby home survivor Rosemary Adaser
4/20/2026
Rosemary Adaser, 70, who lives in Ealing, west London, was among tens of thousands of children placed in abusive institutions for being born out of marriage in Ireland. But if she accepts compensation under the Irish Mother and Baby Institutions Payment scheme, it could be financially devastating for her. This morning Rosemary and Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Human Rights Lawyer and Barrister gave Claire an update on this and it was good news.
Duration:00:17:22
We get the latest on the war in the Middle East
4/20/2026
Peace talks are set to continue over conflict in the middle east, despite reports that Iran have walked away due to Trump’s latest actions. To give us all the details on this, Claire was joined by Chief Correspondent and Presenter with Channel 4 news, Alex Thomson.
Duration:00:11:23