The Claire Byrne Show

Could we soon stream music directly into our brains or have the ability to communicate with each other using telepathy? Some believe these things are just around the corner and the man behind some of this pioneering technology joined Claire on the show.Professor John Donoghue, who created the first brain chip named ‘BrainGate’.

It may not feel like it yet, but Spring is just around the corner, and so too are the annual wardrobe clear outs.  Many of us will be filling bags of unwanted clothes to donate to charity, but what if they’re not going to charity at all?   Newstalk’s Sarah Madden has been looking into the resurgence of charity clothes collection scams.

The 2026 Screen Ireland IFTA Rising Star winner will be announced this Friday at the 2026 IFTA Awards Ceremony. One of the nominees is Dublin actor Louisa Harland and Louisa spoke to Claire ahead of the awards.

I’m now joined by Dr Paddy Barrett, Preventative Cardiologist at Blackrock Clinic, to talk about both the expected and unexpected effects of starting weight loss medication, and stopping it. 

The Champions League tie between Benfica and Real Madrid was halted for 10 minutes after the spanish team’s forward, Vinicius Jr was allegedly racially abused by the opposition’s Gianluca Prestianni. To talk through what happened Claire spoke to Daniel Pitcher, from Off The Ball, and former Irish football international and rugby player, Jackie McCarthy O’Brien. On the topic of abuse in sport, Australian professional tennis player Destanee Aiava, announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 25 and says it is a toxic environment. Claire spoke to former professional tennis player, Jenny Claffey. 

How important is the cleanliness of the air we breathe?  Well, a new report says that air pollution has no safe level and contributes to heart and lung disease, stroke, dementia, pregnancy complications as well as mental health issues.  So is clean air a human right? Jennifer Whitmore is a Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and Spokesperson for Climate, Environment and Energy 

We are all doing things every day that are hurting our bodies. It’s actually pretty easy to stop them, and to tell us how was Physiotherapist Lowry O’Mahony.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris says that only the uber-wealthy can make money on their investments.  So what might his special savings plan for the so-called "middle classes” look like? All to discuss with Cian Carolan QFA, Managing Director DNG Financial Services. 

What should be done with the empty shops in our cities? One proposal being considered by Dublin City Council is turning them into staffed “concierge-type” public toilets. Someone who supports that plan is CEO of Dublin Town Richard Guiney who joined Claire in studio. Also Claire heard from Maria Crowe, campaigner for the No Wait Card.

The Irish Road Haulage Association will today tell the transport committee that the Road safety authority needs "radical reform" and that it is broken beyond repair. Speaking to Claire was The Irish Road Haulage Association Deputy Vice President Eugene Drennan.