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...
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
The dangers of the frog poison ‘detox’
5/27/2026
A UK man has died after attempting a “detox” treatment known as Kambo. It involves using a drug made from the poisonous skin of an Amazonian tree frog.
The detox treatment is being offered in Ireland and the UK but is explicitly banned in countries like Australia. To explain more about this Claire spoke to Dr Craig Slattery, Assistant Professor of Regulatory Affairs and Toxicology at UCD.
Duration:00:10:04
What is food fraud?
5/27/2026
Did you know that you could be eating fake honey or using counterfeit olive oil? Food fraud is when food or drink is sold in a way that’s deceptive to the consumer.
To tell me more was Eva Zavitsanou of Smart Agrohub who is working in the European Food Fraud Community of Practice.
Duration:00:05:30
What Made Me: Sonya Lennon
5/27/2026
We take a look at the life and career of Entrepreneur and social impact advocate Sonya Lennon in the week's 'What Made Me'.
Duration:00:13:41
How does the EU work?
5/27/2026
How does the EU work? To explain in detail was Bobby McDonagh, Former ambassador to the European Union, the UK and Italy and Author of ‘The European Union in 12 Objects'.
Duration:00:11:02
Getting your skin wedding ready!
5/27/2026
From glow ups to stress breakouts, wedding skincare has become a huge part of pre-wedding preparation. For advice on getting your skin wedding ready was Rosemary Coleman, Consultant Dermatologist Blackrock Clinic.
Duration:00:10:50
Keeping the legacy of the 250-year-old Duffy's Circus alive
5/27/2026
Like many other businesses across the country, Duffy’s Circus is struggling to keep up with the cost-of-living crisis.
Speaking to Claire this morning was Managing Director of Duffy’s Circus David Duffy, who will do anything to keep the legacy of the 250-year-old Circus alive
Duration:00:11:07
How to build your personal wealth?
5/27/2026
How difficult or complicated is it to get yourself on a long term, firm financial footing? With advice and guidance was MD of DNG Financial Services Cian Carolan.
Duration:00:09:12
Spend the National Training Fund or hand it back!
5/27/2026
The government’s National Training Fund is funded by an employer's levy. The fund currently stands at around 1.7 billion euro. Employers’ groups say that money should be spent or handed back to the businesses that paid into it.
Joining Claire to discuss this in dept was Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth and Neil McDonnell, the Chief Executive of ISME.
Duration:00:12:12
Group holidays worth the hassle?
5/27/2026
As the sun continues to shine, most of us are thinking about the long summer days ahead and the holidays we have planned.
But what about those who are going on a Group holiday? Are they worth the hassle? Joining Claire to discuss was Leslie Shoemaker, Leslie Shoemaker, Chartered Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin and James Mac Inerney, International Make Up Arist from Laois, and star of Netflix’s Glow Up.
Duration:00:11:26
Carlow schools close after threatening email messages
5/27/2026
A number of schools in Carlow are closed today after they received threatening emails. Parents of children in at least 3 schools have been contacted to say the schools got threatening messages and will not open today to ensure the safety of the children and staff.
Speaking to Claire was Fine Gael Councillor Fergal Browne is a Principal of St Josephs Boys school in Carlow and he also received this threatening email.
Duration:00:06:13
Prosecution to open case against ex-DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
5/27/2026
The trial of the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is due to start today. Speaking to Claire outside Newry Crown Court is Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan.
Duration:00:05:41
Objections to wind farms intensify
5/27/2026
A proposal for a new wind farm near Manorhamilton in County Leitrim and as energy costs continue to soar. How would you feel to have a windfarm close to your home?
Claire discuses this and more with Chairman of the Save Dough Mountain campaign group, Darren Sweeney and Director of External Affairs of Wind Energy Ireland, Justin Moran.
Duration:00:16:19
Flavours of Summer
5/26/2026
TV Chef and mindful eating coach Aisling Larkin tell us about the summer flavours we should be prioritising.
Duration:00:09:35
Explaining de-extinction
5/26/2026
A biotech company that aims to resurrect lost creatures has said it has hatched live chicks in an artificial environment. We get all the details from Andrew Pask the Chief Biology officer with Colossal.
Duration:00:09:21
Is the heat and sun here to stay?
5/26/2026
Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather joined Claire with an update on the weather for next coming days.
Duration:00:04:17
The authors of ‘The Future is Peace'
5/26/2026
For those who have suffered in the Middle East, and for those who have spent a lifetime watching the war there ebb and flow, it is understandable to lose hope that peace is possible... but the authors of ‘The Future is Peace’ believe otherwise.
The book brings together Palestinian peace activist Azizi Abu Sarah and Israeli peace activist, Maoz Inon.
Duration:00:16:01
How short-form video ‘clippers’ are overrunning the internet
5/26/2026
Companies are now hiring ‘clippers’ to flood TikTok and Instagram with short, promotional videos and game the algorithm. To tell us more was Elaine Burke, Host of for Tech’s Sake podcast.
Duration:00:08:11
Economic kite-flying has already begun!
5/26/2026
Economic kite-flying has already begun, as IBEC are looking for the Government to double-index income tax bands and credits in the next Budget.
Would this have the desired impact in making hiring a bit easier for employers? Claire discusses this further with Barra Roantree is Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College.
Duration:00:08:38
Is pregnancy discrimination is on the rise?
5/26/2026
Today's women have been raised to believe they can have it all, the job, the babies, the whole shebang. But much of that relies on maternity leave and the support of the law to protect it.
Some evidence now shows pregnancy discrimination is on the rise. Is the promise of women's equal standing in the workplace at risk?
Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports:
Duration:00:10:13
Are we dealing with youth crime strongly enough?
5/26/2026
Are we dealing with youth crime strongly enough? Former London Met Police Detective Peter Bleksley thinks we need to do more and he explained why to Claire.
Duration:00:09:26