Explore every episode of the podcast The Claire Byrne Show

The first in a new series on the programme where we meet interesting and inspiring people to hear their take on ‘What Made Them’.  We will get some fascinating insights into the moments that have changed and shaped lives and set people on a course that perhaps they didn’t expect to take. 

Claire's first guest was Irish barrister  in London, specialising in human rights and civil liberties and Ireland’s special rapporteur for Child Protection Caoilfhionn Gallagher.

Around 15 members of the Irish Farmers Association are continuing a sit-down protest inside the offices of Bord Bia in Dublin this morning. Speaking to Claire One of those farmers is TJ Maher and also Peter Chap Cleere, Fianna Fail TD for Carlow/Kilkenny.   

Executives from the social media company X have refused to appear before today’s meeting of the Oireachtas media committee. The committee will hear from representatives from Meta, Google, and TikTok to discuss online regulations amid the Grok controversy. For more on this Claire was joined on the show by   Alan Kelly, Labour TD and Chair of the Media committee.  

The Cabinet will look to immediately draft regulations to ban the use of scramblers in any public place. Pressure has been growing on the government to introduce tighter regulations for the vehicles following the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch last month. 

To discuss further with Claire was Ciaran Ferrie, spokesperson for iBike Dublin and Ger Hyland, current President of the Irish Road Hauliers Association.

Chef and mindful eating coach Aisling Larkin joins Claire every week to take an everyday food, and give you some tips on how to use it in your kitchen. Today it's leafy greens!

The Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, Richard Shakespeare says that two legged scavengers are costing the city up to a million a year. He says they’re looking for cans and bottles to take to RE Turn facilities but are messing up the streets in the process.

Richard discusses this further with Claire this morning. 

Trump’s Spiritual Advisor reacts to ICE shootings and what the USA is today. Pastor Mark Burns joined Claire this morning.

Cian Ducrot, singer songwriter joined Claire this morning on the show to chat Grammys, his career and next steps.

We have seen numerous Deepfake videos online, some posted for fun, others as part of disinformation campaigns. What is the potential danger here for the average Joe or Jane on the street when it comes to AI cloned audio? 

All to discuss with Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Actor Colm Meaney viewing Ireland from afar, politic and new acting projects.

Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State, have agreed to testify in the congressional investigation into late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.  

In the UK, Peter Mandelson has been reported to the police for allegedly passing highly sensitive government information to Epstein. The latest document release in the US suggests that Mandelson received three payments of 25 thousand dollars each from Epstein 23 years ago. 

All to discuss with George Parker, political editor for the Financial Times.

Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been examining the services provided by the Child and Family Agency. He looked into what is working, what is not working and what improvements can be made. Josh joined Claire in studio to discuss this findings.

Joining Claire this morning on the show was actor, and author, a director, a TV presenter, a stand-up comedian and a producer Aisha Tyler.

Aisha has starred in Friends, Fear the Walking Dead, Criminal Minds and presented Whose Line Is It Anyway? in the United States for ten years.  

Aisha is attending the 2026 Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) Summit comes to Ireland for the first time. Running from 4 to 7 February in Adare in Limerick.

What happens if your wife, your brother or your best friend has a completely different world view to you? Perhaps they’ve recently decided to become a steadfast supporter of Donald Trump, or they have religious or social views completely contrary to yours?  

All to discuss with Psychotherapist Michelle Flynn.

Pope Leo has apologised to abuse survivor David Ryan. David featured in the documentary 'Blackrock Boys' where he dealt with the sexual abuse he suffered between the ages of 12 and 17 at Blackrock College.  

Claire spoke to David yesterday, just after his meeting with the pope.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined Claire in studio this morning to discuss warning systems for weather events, Irish-US relations and more. 

Ahead of Tuesday's debut of The Claire Byrne Show, Claire joined Lunchtime Live's Andrea Gilligan in studio for her regular Friday feature - Ask Me Everything.

Hear how Claire got started in broadcasting, and how she was roped into a long-forgotten gameshow called Touch The Truck with Dale Winton.

The Claire Byrne Show begins on Tuesday February 3rd (after the Bank Holiday!) from 9am-12pm on 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. And it all kicks off on February 3rd.

Claire was joined by Consultant Dermatologist at Blackrock Clinic, Dr Rosemary Coleman, to discuss issue of hair loss and a controversy that has hit the news about injectable gels.  

We go stateside to get the latest on  the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, and of the release of the Epstein files. Speaking to Claire this morning was Chief Correspondent of Feature Story News, Simon Marks.

Singer, songwriter, actor, producer, poet, presenter and storyteller. Imelda May brings her unique take on Ireland’s songs, language and culture to a stage near you this month and next with her new Irish tour called 'Raised on Songs and Stories’ and Imelda joined Claire this morning. 

Recently on the programme, we heard from those who have first-hand experiences of the services provided by Tusla. 

Well, today our reporter, Josh Crosbie brings us a follow-up report examining what changes are coming to child welfare and protection, and how the services are being monitored. 

Netflix’s new documentary 'The Investigation of Lucy Letby' looks back on the crimes of the neonatal nurse, and it has been released today and not without controversy. For more on this Claire spoke to UK-based journalist, Vincent McAvinney. 

Whether you are trying to save a bit, looking to buy a house or you might have your eye on finally clearing the mortgage, most of us want learn how to manage our money so that it work for us and not the other way around. 

To help us with all of this Claire was joined by founder of Financial Planning Matters and Certified Financial Planner Niall O'Connor.  

There’s been a setback in the Enoch Burke case. In a letter sent to Burke by solicitors for the Disciplinary Appeals Panel, it stated that “a number of resignations” had been received from members of the DAP. 

One of those who has seen the letter is the Legal Affairs Editor of the Irish Independent, Shane Phelan who spoke to Claire this morning.

The six nations kicks off tonight with Ireland facing off against France in Paris. To look ahead, Claire was joined by Eoin Sheahan from Off The Ball, and Irish Rugby legend, Brian O’Driscoll.  

American TV host Savannah Guthrie has made an emotional appeal for the safe return of her mum Nancy. We get the latest on this with Harriet Alexander, US based Journalist.

There have been recent information campaigns about the shingles vaccines, but it’s not publicly funded and it’s expensive if you want to get it. But do we need it? 

To explain all was Professor of Immunology at DCU, Christine Loscher. 

Now, it is the time of the week where we Ask The expert .Today we are going to be talking about creepy crawlies, super furry animals and scurrying things that go bump in the night! All to chat about with Trevor Hayden, of Complete Pest Control.

Irish Actor Philippa Dunne joined Claire in studio to chat about starring in Motherhood and taking to the stage for Eureka Day at the Gate Theatre. Now until until 7 March. 

Former BBC news anchor Jan Leeming has sparked an online debate after she complained about parents taking young kids to pricey restaurants. Jan was out for lunch and it was ruined, she said by a screaming child and oblivious parents.  

She says if you can afford to eat in a pricey restaurant, you can afford a babysitter. For a discussion on this Claire spoke to Columnist, Brenda Power, and Niamh Maher from The Journal who is also currently on maternity leave. 

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan secured Government approval to introduce amendments to the Criminal Law and Civil Law Bill 2026 

Claire spoke to the Minister and started by asking him what this means in terms of addressing the concerns we have heard from people around counselling notes in sexual offences trials.

Met Éireann has urged vigilance as orange and yellow rain warnings have been issued.  We get the latest on the weather warning with Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather.  

The last remaining arms control treaty between Russia and the United States expires today. The end of the New Start Treaty has brought fears of a nuclear arms race. So are those fears well founded? 

Georgia Cole is an expert on arms control at the Chatham House think tank in London and joined Claire this morning to discuss all.

By June of this year, electricity suppliers will be required to offer households a new type of tariff. One where the price of electricity changes hour by hour   

So how exactly will it work and what does it mean for you? Claire asked Dr Paul Deane, Lecturer in Energy at University College Cork.

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 Writer for the Irish Independent, Saoirse Hanley, Chair of European Commission’s Housing Advisory Board, Eamon Ryan, and Comedian, Killian Sundermann.  

It’s the question every parent in the country asks themselves daily. But while social media sites refuse to release the data, and kids themselves avoid answering, we’re all left in the dark. 

Newstalk’s own Sarah Madden has been infiltrating the teenage algorithm and she’s here to report back on what she’s seen. 

To look ahead to all the sport action this weekend Claire was joined on the show by Eoin Sheahan from Off The Ball. Also Kieran O’Donovan, of the Irish NFL Show podcast, who joined us live from San Francisco, ahead of the Super Bowl there on Sunday. 

‘Behind every cancer delay statistic is a patient and their loved ones so says the Irish Cancer Society in response to data released this week.  Speaking to Claire this morning was Emma Aspell, a mother of two, was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 37. Emma explained the type of delays did s he experienced. 

New Bodies have been found in Tuam excavations. Claire spoke to Campaigner and Historian Catherine Corless on this breaking news today.

The multi-talented composer behind the much-loved Disney soundtracks for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin, Tangled, Enchanted and many more Alan Menken is with me.

Four years ago Elsa Desmond represented Ireland in the Winter Olympics in Beijing in a sport most of us will never have heard of. 

That sport is luge, and Ireland didn’t even have a team until she made it happen.  But unfortunately, there won’t be an Irish luge team in the Winter Olympics this year as Elsa has been has been refused entry.  Elsa told her story to Claire this morning.

New data has shown that over €35m has been spent by the National Transport Authority on a contactless payment system, that is not expected to be in place until 2028. To discuss this, I’m now joined by Consumer Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times, Conor Pope. 

 More heavy rain is expected in counties under a Status Orange weather warning until at least this afternoon, with flood alerts remaining in certain parts. One of those areas is Aughrim in County Wicklow  which suffered severe flooding last week, and our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte is there this morning. Also we get an update from Dublin with our reporters Josh Crosbie.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell told President Catherine Connolly “you’re in our country” during a meeting in Derry. Claire get reaction with Ben Lowry, Editor of The Belfast Newsletter and Rose Conway Walsh, Sinn Féin TD for Mayo.

The Social Media Addiction trials began yesterday, with the court hearing that Instagram and YouTube built “addiction machines”. This is the first in a series of cases against Big Tech, and centres on the claims of a 20 year old woman.  

Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly explained more about this. Also how to get the best value from your subscriptions.

Gor the latest on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of US TV host Savannah Guthrie, Claire was joined by US Based Foreign Correspondent, Sara Firth and ask what now as the ransom deadline has passed.

We have started a book club on the show. We’ll talk about the books we’ve loved, the books that have opened our eyes to a new world and we’ll review books as we go. Sinéad Cuddihy, from the Tired Mammy Book Club joins us to chat all things book and to give us our first book to read along too.

If you’re in a book club please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you and have you read along with us. Do email clairebyrne@newstalk.com.

Savannah Guthrie begs mom’s ‘kidnappers’ to return Nancy and declares ‘we will pay’. The search continues and we get the latest on this with Harriet Alexander, US based journalist and Larry Donnelly, Law lecturer from University of Galway and Columnist with The Journal.

We take a look back on a busy weekend of sport with Eoin Sheahan.