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
Apr 7, 2026 • 8min
How to deal with daily sibling rows!
Does your child talk back and argue with you? Are you dealing with sibling rows on the daily and wonder how do you handle it? All to discuss with Dr Claire Crowe, Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
Apr 7, 2026 • 13min
Padraig Harrington on this year's Masters at Augusta
The Masters gets underway at Augusta in just two days' time . Rory McIlroy will be defending his title but who will be the big challenger for the green jacket? Joining Claire to look ahead to the Masters was three-time major Champion, Padraig Harrington.
Apr 7, 2026 • 11min
Is sub-minimum wage exploiting young workers?
The Sub-minimum wage rate is blatant discrimination and hyper-exploitation of young workers ,so says People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy. The accusation comes as new figures show an increase in the use of sub-minimum wage rates for young people. Claire discusses this further with Paul Murphy and John Barry, who is on the National Council with Irish Small and Medium enterprises and Director of MSS the HR people.
Apr 7, 2026 • 13min
The latest on the planned nationwide fuel protest today
If you are travelling anywhere in the country today, you could be faced with major traffic disruption due to a planned nationwide fuel protest. For an update around the country we heard from our reports Josh Crosbie and Emily Keegan. Also speaking to Claire was Shay a Haulier in Lusk service station. Also with reaction to the protest was I am also joined by Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town.
Apr 2, 2026 • 10min
AI Therapy is it a threat?
More and more people who are struggling with their mental health are turning to AI chatbots for help. So much so, that experts here are calling for a ban on AI being used for therapy. All to discuss with Lorcan Martin is President of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland.
Apr 2, 2026 • 11min
What is it like to grieve a public figure?
What is it like when your grief becomes public property? Dealing with loss is incredibly complicated for anyone. But that really adds another, very difficult dimension. How do you cope with loss, when there are cameras in your face? Or people you don’t know laying claim to the one you’ve lost? To talk more about with Claire was Siobhan MacGowan, sister of Shane MacGowan.
Apr 2, 2026 • 7min
Are we being too targeted about exercise?
There is so much messaging around exercise now. We need to get our 10,000 steps in a day. We need to train 5 days a week. We need to make sure we eat large amounts of protein a day. We should be fasting. It’s really hard to cut out all the noise and understand what’s good for us, and what’s unnecessary. Claire discusses this and more with Physiotherapist Lowry O’Mahony.
Apr 2, 2026 • 15min
Can you continue your good Lent habit for longer?
With Lent ending for many this weekend, some may already be planning to begin enjoying all that they have been going without for the last while. But should you and can you continue your good habit for longer? To discuss this further Claire spoke to Iseult White, Psychotherapist and Author and Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent.
Apr 2, 2026 • 13min
How badly behaved are road users outside schools?
Reports of lollipop staff, employed to help children cross the roads near schools, being ignored and abused by drivers are on the increase. But it’s not just happening here. In parts of the UK, they are being equipped with bodycams in a bid to combat the bad behaviour. So how badly behaved are road users outside schools? Our reporter Josh Crosbie has been looking into this for us.
Apr 2, 2026 • 10min
US President moved to ease nerves around the Iran War
US President Donald Trump moved to ease nerves around the Iran War, but largely left some key questions in the air. Claire gets reaction to President Trump's address was Channel 4 presenter Matt Frei and also Newstalk’s political correspondent Sean Defoe.
