Newstalk Weekend

This year’s DIFF saw the premiere of The Charlie O’Leary Story, a film celebrating the extraordinary 102-year-old who helped build the foundations of modern Irish soccer, from the Street Leagues of East Wall to the glory days of Jack Charlton’s Ireland. Emmet Oliver is joined by Fergus Dowd, Producer of The Charlie O'Leary Story & Former League of Ireland footballer, Martin Lawlor, to discuss.

A new study in Frontiers in Aging suggests so-called ‘forever chemicals,’ or PFAS, may be linked to faster biological aging in men aged 50 to 65. But what could be causing this and why just in men? Joining Emmet Oliver to try to get to grips with what’s happening is Ruairi Brannigan, Assistant Professor from DCU’s School of Chemical Sciences.

Joining Emmet Oliver to go through what we know following the US & Israel's attacks on Iran are Tara Kangarlou, Award Winning Global Affairs Journalist; Simon Calde, travel correspondent for The Independent; and Paul Brandus, West Wing Reports Founder.

Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss the latest developments following the US & Israel's attack on Iran, as well as the other stories of the day are Gregg Carlstom, Middle East Corr with the Economist; Scott Lucas, Scott Lucas Professor of US and International Politics the Clinton Institute UCD; Pat Rabbitte, former Leader of the Labour Party; Gina London Communications specialist, Former CNN Correspondent and Sunday Independent Columnist; and Jen Cummins, Social Democrats TD for Dublin South Central.

Spring has sprung, at least if you’re looking at things from a meteorological standpoint, and that means the temperatures will generally be getting higher, and the first shoots of life are beginning to re-emerge. Joining Emmet Oliver to chat through some light and healthy springtime meals we can prepare for this time of new beginnings is Gerry Devlin, Owner of the Dublin Cookery School.

Landscape contractor and award-winning Garden Designer, Brian Burke, joins Emmet Oliver to answer listeners' gardening questions.

Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor of The Irish Times & Adrienne Stewart, Founder of hotelandsparesorts.com / Director at Powerscourt Springs Health Farm & Owner at Rainforest Spa in Summerhill House Hotel, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.

New rules are come into force for people beginning to rent for the first time. While the Government says it will provide “greater certainty and stability”, not everyone is convinced that will happen. Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West & party spokesperson for Housing, Eoin Ó'Broin.

The Government is promising a new savings and investment scheme aimed at Ireland’s middle class, but what will it actually look like? Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is Aine McPhilemy, Financial Advisor Contracting Plus.

Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss the latest developments following the US & Israeli-led attacks on Iran are Tel Aviv-based journalist, Paul Kearns & Cathal Berry, former Independent TD and former member of the Defense Forces.

The US & Israel have launched what it calls “major combat operations” against Iran, with retaliatory strikes being made against US bases in Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. Joining Emmet Oliver to get the latest is Mark Weiss, Irish Times Contributor Based In Israel & Scott Lucas, Professor & Political Analyst at the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin.

Drone delivery firm Manna Air Delivery has announced a new pilot programme to take place in Cork City. Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss this and future plans for the company is CEO & Founder, Bobby Healy.

All eyes will be on London tonight as the BAFTA film awards take place. As was the case in the last few years, there is a strong Irish interest in many of the main awards. There is only one man we could send to such an auspicious event. Henry McKean joins Emmet Oliver from London to discuss.

Gardaí have launched a major excavation at a disused quarry in Castleruddery Upper, Co Wicklow in the search for Josephine “Jo Jo” Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. The search was triggered by a new witness statement described as “very specific” and “credible”, pinpointing an exact burial location within the extensive quarry site. Stephen Breen, Crime Editor with The Irish Sun, joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.

Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main stories from the Sunday papers is Emma Blain, Fine Gael Councillor & former Lord Mayor of Dublin; Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer, University of Galway and Columnist with the Journal.ie; and Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University.

Therapy dogs are the latest creative method schools are using to improve student wellbeing and support children with additional needs. Newstalk reporter, Ella Anderson, went out to one of these schools in Dublin, to meet 'Kate', St Kevin’s Boys School’s newest addition to the learning support team.

Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss Ireland's emphatic win against England in the Six Nations is Off the Ball's John Duggan.

What should we be doing going forward to make the country more resilient against extreme conditions? Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is EU Climate Pact Ambassador, Liam Doyle & Assistant Professor in Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering in TCD, Dr Aimee Byrne.

Joining Emmet Oliver to chat through all the weekend's sporting action is OTB's Cameron Hill.

The US Supreme Court has struck down President Trump’s sweeping emergency tariffs, but within hours the White House announced a new 10% global levy, raising fresh uncertainty for businesses and markets worldwide. To unpack the legal, economic and global trade implications

Emmet Oliver is joined by legendary Ireland international footballer, Ray Houghton, to reflect on the halcyon days of Ireland's football.

In the past few months, providers such as SKY or Virgin have been discussing how to use information gleaned from things such as WhatsApp messages to target both providers and end users of so-called ‘dodgy boxers’. Could we see a penalty point system be introduced in the months ahead? Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor at the Irish Independent and host of the Big Tech show podcast, joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.

Dr Eleanor Galvin joins Emmet Oliver to answer listeners' questions on all things medical.

The story of the week has been the arrest of Andrew Mountbatton Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The disgraced former prince has been under increasing pressure following the release of more Epstein files. Broadcaster & political commentator, Adam Boulton, joins Emmet Oliver to discuss what happens next for ANdrew and the royal family in general.

Director David Burke joins Shane Beatty to discuss his film, 'Have You Never Heard of Bill Fuller?', which will be shown at this year's Dublin International Film Festival. The film follows the life of Bill Fuller, an Irish entrepeneur and and musical Impresario who managed some of the biggest clubs in the UK and US, whose acts included Johnny Cash and Thin Lizzy!

Avril Clare, founder and owner of Avril Clare Recruitment Ltd, Property Recruitment Specialists shares with Shane her top tips for quitting your job without burning your bridges.

Shane Hannon, Senior Weekend Producer for Off The Ball joins Shane Beatty to chat all things sport.

Shane Beatty is joined in studio by Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West & party spokesperson for Housing Eoin Ó'Broin, who believes that renters are caught in a limbo between social housing and cost rental schemes.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, Journalist and Broadcaster Flor McCarthy and Jon Ihle, Deputy Business Editor at the Sunday Times Ireland join Shane Beatty to discuss what's in the papers.They discuss rent reforms, ICE detainments, Air Traffic Control issues and much more.

Pat Noctor, president of the Irish Air Traffic Controllers Association, has said that “we are heading for a summer of chaos" due to a growing air traffic control staffing crisis. Joining the Sunday paper panel to discuss is Paul Hackett, CEO of Click and Go & Vice-President of the Irish Travel Agents Association.

First dates are a delicate operation - part interview, part chemistry experiment, part social tightrope. From oversharing and phone-checking to talking about exes, politics, or money, certain moves can kill the vibe instantly. So for the day that's in it, we’re asking: what are the biggest first-date dealbreakers and have we all been guilty of at least one? Cathal O'Sullivan, 98FM Producer & Ali Ryan, Founder & CEO of Goss.ie join Shane Beatty to discuss.

For this week's Ask the Expert, Shane Beatty is joined by Sarah Keogh, Dietitian and Founder of Eatwell.

It’s round two of the Six Nations as Ireland hosts Italy in the Aviva today at 2.15pm. While Ireland suffered a heavy defeat in Paris last week, Italy arrive in Dublin buoyed by a victory over Scotland. How will it go? Shane Beatty is joined by Shane Hannon, Senior Producer, Off The Ball Weekend, to discuss.

Novo Nordisk has significantly lowered the cash price of Wegovy. What does this mean for users of the drug in Ireland, and will it have wider implications for the weight-loss drug is administered or treated in Ireland more broadly? Joining Shane Beatty to discuss is Dr Brendan O’Shea, Assistant Professor of Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin & Bernadette Keenan, Committee Member of the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ICPO).

World leaders are meeting at the Munich Security Conference this weekend as U.S-European relations face renewed strain. Concerns have also been raised that gaps in Ireland’s military and security capabilities, with European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne saying that Ireland should be open to foreign police helping Gardai with security during the upcoming EU Presidency. Joining Shane Beatty to discuss is News Correspondent at Journal Media, Niall O'Connor.

It is forty-five years after the Stardust nightclub fire claimed 48 lives. Joining Shane Beatty to discuss how the narrative shifted after decades of controversy, and how the story is no longer just about a nightclub disaster, but institutional failure and the long-awaited justice for familiesis Sean Murray, co-author of The Last Disco.

Joining Shane Beatty to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Jack Horgan-Jones, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times & Aisling Moloney, Newstalk Reporter.

This weekend marks the 60th annual Superbowl which is being held in Santa Clara in California. Emmet Oliver is joined by Michael McQuaid  host of the Pro Ireland Football: The NFL Podcast, Freelance Journalist Emmet Ryan and Off The Ball's John Duggan to discuss the Superbowl, ^ Nations, Winter Olympics and more.

At first, they seem magnetic, generous, and deeply interested in you, but slowly the dynamic shifts and your boundaries begin to disappear. Clinical psychologist Dr Stephanie Regan joins Emmet Oliver to unpack how narcissists and manipulators use charm, grooming, and subtle psychological tactics to infiltrate relationships, gain control, and keep it, often without their targets realising what’s happening

Emmet Oliver is joined by Holly O’Neill from Met Eireann to discuss what the weather forecast is looking like for the next week after a spell of particularly bad weather

The US and Iran are holding high-stakes talks in Oman as fears of a direct military confrontation grow. With Trump warning of strikes, Iran under internal pressure, and a massive US naval build-up in the region, these negotiations may determine whether diplomacy or escalation comes next. Paul Brandus, West Wing Reports Founder, joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.

New documents released delve into how Jeffrey Epstein used an elite Dublin summit to forge contacts with world leaders. New laws to remove the highly controversial 32 million Dublin Airport passenger cap and permanently preclude any future caps are to be approved by cabinet. Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is John Cunningham, Marketing Insights Director for BAM Ireland, Fergus Finlay, columnist with the Irish Examiner & Former CEO of Barnardos and Hazel Chu Deputy Leader Green Party.

Cathal Berry, Former Independent TD and former member of the Defense Forces joins Emmet Oliver to discuss the Royal Air Force agreeing to protect Irish Airspace, our military hardware that leaves us vulnerable and Russian oil ships entering Irish water.

This week on Ask the Expert, Pete the Vet joins Emmet Oliver to answer all of your pet-related questions.

AI “afterlife” services let people create digital twins that outlive them, trained on voice, memories and data, but current legal frameworks don’t recognise personality rights or ownership beyond simple data protection, raising crucial questions about consent, legacy, privacy and the risk of misrepresentation in an unregulated digital graveyard. Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is Andy O'Donoghue, technology broadcaster and columnist.

From underdog kids on the ice to Cold War politics played out in a hockey rink, some of the greatest sports films don’t just entertain; they tell us something about who we are. Emmet Oliver is joined by Brian Lloyd, Movie Critic and Entertainment Journalist, to break down why these films still resonate and what separates a good sports movie from a great one

Political judgement is the skill that is seen as compulsory if you are to reach high office. In the past week, UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer has had his judgment questioned from all sides of the political spectrum as revelation after revelation flows from the Epstein papers. Central to the story is the disgraced financier’s relationship with Lord Mandelson, the co-architect of the New Labour project in the 1990s. Instead of policy, Starmer is dealing with photos of the peer in his pants, and the unsightly mess could even cost the PM his job. Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is Enda Brady, presenter with TRT World.

Once abandoned in a Tesco bag as a puppy, Indiana Bones is heading to Crufts to represent the country for a fourth year in a row. Laura Murphy, trainer with WaggyMamas Agility – Dog Agility and Training in Wicklow, joins Emmet to chat about the honour and what preparations need to take place before the event itself.

Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main stores from the Saturday papers is Gina London, former CNN White House Correspondent and Sunday Independent Columnist & Paul Hayes, founder of Beachhut PR.

David Ryan, who exposed abuse linked to Blackrock College, is set for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, where he says he’ll ask tough questions about how the Church buried abuse for decades. Abuse survivor and campaigner Colm O’Gorman joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.