The Claire Byrne Show
Newstalk
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 23, 2026 • 14min
'Gays Against Guns' a new documentary
Gays Against Guns, a gripping documentary which looks at the American gun violence epidemic screens at the Dublin International Film Festival this evening. Director Paul Rowley and Gays against Guns co-founder Kevin Hertzog joined Claire in studio this morning.
Feb 23, 2026 • 15min
Ireland shells out on 500m arsenal
The Government is racing to protect the country’s maritime security ahead of Ireland hosting the presidency of the Council of the European Union this summer. Defence Minister Helen McEntee is bringing forward new legislation as a matter of urgency to bolster the ability of the Defence Forces to police national waters. Do we need to spend more on our Defence? Joining Claire to discuss further was Cathal Berry, Former Independent TD and Army ranger and Brid Smith, Former People Before Profit TD.
Feb 23, 2026 • 11min
Travel: Let us take you to France
Ed Finn, award winning travel journalist from Ed Finn Travels joined Claire in studio with loads of travel tips on the sites and sounds of France.
Feb 23, 2026 • 10min
How children's birthday parties have evolved over the years
Children's birthday Parties used to be a fairly standard affair. A game of pass the parcel, cocktail sausages and a homemade cake. But over the years they have evolved. No longer just for fun they're now extend to glamour, education even personal survival games.Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports:
Feb 23, 2026 • 6min
Protests over paused SNA cuts
Protests are planned this week over potential SNA cuts to schools that have now been paused. To discuss this, Claire was joined by parent and one of the organisers of the protests, Niamh McDonald.
Feb 23, 2026 • 20min
Colleges are being encouraged to cut on-campus days
Colleges are being encouraged to cut on-campus days to help ease the student accommodation crisis. They’re also being told to investigate more options for remote or hybrid learning. Is this smart, or are we denying our students a proper college experience? Joining Claire to discuss this now is Fianna Fail TD and Chair of the Committee on Education and Youth Cathal Crowe and also Labour Senator Laura Harmon.
Feb 20, 2026 • 9min
Walk outs at K-Pop tribute show in Belfast
The first K-Pop Forever Tribute show opened at The SSE Arena, Belfast last night, with thousands of children and parents attending the event, many dressing up as characters from the popular film K-Pop Demon Hunters. However, for some, the night did not turn out quite as they had hoped, with a number of parents walking out. One of those were Megan Cahoon from Newtownabbey.
Feb 20, 2026 • 19min
The Debrief
Welcome to The Debrief, where we take a look back on the week and also a little look ahead to the weekend. This week Claire was joined by Mick Clifford, of The Irish Examiner, Comedian, Julie Jay, and Freelance Journalist, Niamh O’Reilly.
Feb 20, 2026 • 14min
Author Lucy Kennedy talks about her new children’s book
Author and Broadcaster Lucy Kennedy joined Claire this morning to chat about her new book 'Under the Floorboards of 39A'.
Feb 20, 2026 • 13min
Are we getting value for money when it comes to new builds?
The CSO revealed earlier this week that the median house price in Dublin is now half a million euro. So when buyers are paying that kind of dough, are they getting any sort of value for money? Particularly when it comes to new builds? Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte reports.
