Best OceanFM Ireland Podcasts (2025)

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Thousands expected in Rossnowlagh for Orange Parade 2:11

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8h ago2:11

2:11

Thousands of people are expected to arrive into Rossnowlagh tomorrow for the annual for the annual Orange Order Parade. The south Donegal town traditionally sees their march a week before the main July 12th celebrations. Over 50 Orange Order Lodges from Donegal, Cavan, Leitrim and Monaghan, as well as visiting Orangemen from Northern Ireland and fu…

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There should be no controversy on North West surgical hub plans - Kenny 2:44

6h ago2:44

2:44

There should be no controversy surrounding the surgical hub plans for the North West. That’s according to Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny, who has indicated his wish for two hubs in the region - one in Sligo and one in Letterkenny. A major campaign is ongoing in Donegal for the hub to be located in Letterkenny, despite a HSE business case being made …

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People in North West still looking for answers on Storm Eowyn, Dail hears 0:39

8h ago0:39

0:39

It remains to be when a review into the State's response to Storm Éowyn will be submitted to the Government. Tánaiste Simon Harris previously said the report would be ready prior to the summer recess. An estimated €200m in damage was caused with the north west in particular, bearing the brunt with some areas seeing power cuts for three weeks. Speak…

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Words don't express scale of loss felt in Carndonagh - Parish Priest 0:21

4h ago0:21

0:21

Words don't express the scale of the loss felt in Carndonagh in Donegal this morning, according to the local Parish Priest. It's after the deaths of 6 year-old Ella McLaughlin in a crash on Wednesday, and her mother Natalie who died from her injuries yesterday evening in hospital. It's understood two other family members were also injured in the cr…

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Compaission, joy & gentleness - Sister Magdalene remembered at Funeral Mass 1:59

8h ago1:59

1:59

The funeral Mass of Sister Magdalene Moore has heard that her legacy will live on for generations to come. Her funeral took place in Donegal Town this afternoon. The pioneering nun was well known in the local community, having been instrumental in setting up the Solace Cancer Support Centre. The Priest presiding over the funeral of Sister Magdalene…

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Community 'raw with grief' as young girl dies in Donegal crash 2:04

8h ago2:04

2:04

A community in County Donegal is said to be raw with grief after a young girl was killed in a crash yesterday evening. The collision involved a car and a van - and happened near Carndonagh at around 6.30 yesterday evening. A woman, man and another child - who were all in the car - have been taken to hospital in Derry in a serious condition. Gardaí …

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North West surgical hub controversy branded a farcical situation 2:09

7h ago2:09

2:09

The North West surgical hub controversy has been branded a farcical situation. Questions have this week turned to the so-called ‘Lowry Deal’ and its association with the location of the planned hub. Meanwhile, a delegation of Donegal doctors met with Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill this week and the Minister is now to take some time to re…

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TDs Must Fight for Sligo’s Surgical Hub” - McSharry 7:55

5h ago7:55

7:55

TDs, GPs, consultants and health leaders across Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan and South Donegal are being urged to step up and make their voices heard in support of locating the new Regional Surgical Hub in Sligo. A major campaign is underway in Donegal for the hub to be located in Letterkenny, despite a HSE business case being made for Sligo. The lat…

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Minister to provide long-term plan for Donegal health service 1:48

3h ago1:48

1:48

The Minister of Health will provide a long-term plan for the health service in Donegal at the end of the month. The latest revelation comes as both the Minister and several local Government TDs have been urged to provide clarity on the controversy. While yesterday, the Chief Executive of the HSE admitted that Donegal needs more capacity. Bernard Gl…

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Renewed calls for CCTV in anti-social behaviour hotspots in County Sligo 3:15

3h ago3:15

3:15

There are renewed calls to prioritise CCTV in areas affected by anti-social behaviour in County Sligo. There's said to be a number of towns and village in need of the equipment due to issues with crime and illegal dumping. It comes the Joint Policing Committee is set to be replaced by the Sligo County Local Community Safety Partnership this year. T…

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Work ongoing to determine priority of rail projects 0:16

25m ago0:16

0:16

A Junior Transport Minister says work is ongoing to decide which rail projects should be prioritised. The All-Island Strategic Rail Review was published last summer, and includes plans for the Western Rail Corridor, as well as a service to Donegal and Navan. Irish Rail says it is working on an investment plan for the project over the next 10 years.…

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Government youth wings come out against return to full student fees 4:39

3h ago4:39

4:39

The youth wings of both Government parties have come out against the return to full student fees. It was confirmed over the weekend the 1,000 euro cut, which has been present for three years, will be ended. Ógra Fianna Fáil says the decision stands in direct opposition to the group's objectives and called for it to be kept. International officer wi…

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Government urged to row back on decision to pause Sligo social homes 2:26

1h ago2:26

2:26

The Government is being urged to row back on a decision to stall funding for over 60 social homes in Sligo. It emerged in recent weeks that the delivery of a planned 63-unit social housing scheme in Finisklin has been put on hold after the Department of Housing decided not to proceed over concerns about the cost of the project. It was one of six sc…

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Need for marine protection highlighted locally 2:06

22m ago2:06

2:06

Frustration has been expressed locally over the government’s approach to Marine Protected Areas. The legislation aims to protect, conserve and restore biodiversity in marine ecosystems by designating 30% of Ireland's by 2030. In recent days, a bottlenose dolphin, affectionately known as ‘Bawn’, has chosen to raise her young calf inshore, right alon…

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Minister Harkin urged to clarify comments on surgical hub 'secret deal' 11:48

5h ago11:48

11:48

Further questions have been asked over whether Junior Minister Marian Harkin has been approached for clarity over the surgical hub controversy. Minister Harkin has claimed that a promise for the hub to be situated in Sligo was made as part of Government formation talks. The issue was raised in the Dail inside the last few minutes by Sinn Fein TDs P…

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Urgent clarity sought over surgical hub debacle 2:26

4h ago2:26

2:26

Urgent clarity is being sought of the timeline for a surgical hub to be located in Sligo. As it stands, the Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeil stated that no final decision has been reached on the hub. It had originally been expected for Sligo, but there has since been an argument made that Letterkenny should be the preferred choice. Sligo La…

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Tributes paid to Sister Magdalene Moore 3:29

3h ago3:29

3:29

Tributes are being paid to Sister Magdalene Moore, who has sadly passed away. Sister Moore, who was based in the Convent of Mercy in Ardeskin in Donegal Town, was instrumental the Solace Cancer Support Centre and was well-known among the local community for her charity work and helping others. Her Funeral takes place St. Patricks Church in Donegal …

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Most drinking water supplies compliant - EPA 0:19

2h ago0:19

0:19

99 point 8 per cent of public drinking water samples tested last year were compliant with EPA standards. A report from the environmental agency found the number of "at risk" supplies and long-term boil water notices both fell last year. It says almost all public water supplies are classified as safe to drink, while good progress has been made in th…

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Calls for location defibrillators to be provided on Google Maps. 1:23

1h ago1:23

1:23

There are calls for the location all registered defibrillators to be provided on Google Maps. The lifesaving equipment is now available in the majority of towns and villages across the North West but can sometimes be stored in a place that may be unfamiliar with tourists or those visiting a particular area. Given how commonly used the app is for na…

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Donegal TD clashes with Ceann Comhairle over speaking time (continued) 0:29

4h ago0:29

0:29

Minister Jack Chambers says the health minister, Jennifer Carroll McNeill continues to engage with all those involved:

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Gallagher clashes with Ceann Comhairle over speaking time 2:14

5h ago2:14

2:14

A Government, Donegal TD has clashed with the Ceann Comhairle on the floor of the Dáil. Fianna Fáil’s Pat “The Cope” Gallagher raised the issue of the proposed plans for surgical hub for Sligo and the lack there-of for one in Letterkenny. Just last week, Minister Marian Harkin confirmed that the decision to site the surgical hub in Sligo formed par…

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Minister quizzed over political deal on surgical hub for North West 0:14

9h ago0:14

0:14

The Government Chief Whip has failed to clarify to whether there a political deal was made to put the proposed surgical hub in Sligo. It follows revelations made by Junior Minister Marian Harkin in recent days that a promise for the hub to be situated in Sligo was made as part of Government formation talks. In the Dail inside the last few minutes, …

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Concern in North West over falling tourism numbers 2:23

9h ago2:23

2:23

Concern has been raised in the North West following the latest tourism figures from the CSO. Tourism numbers in May were down 10 per cent on the previous year - while the amount spent by those visitors dropped by 21 per cent. There are ongoing calls for the VAT rate to be cut to 9% for the hospitality sector as the tourism season is well and truly …

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Further warning over impending student fees hike 1:57

16h ago1:57

1:57

There's a further warning that a decision to hike up fees will hit Sligo students hard. It comes just weeks after moves to end protections for student renters were also announced. The Government is insisting that this year's budget will still help students and their families regardless. But Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny says students are …

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Every effort to be made to get Donegal housing delivery back on track 2:53

16h ago2:53

2:53

The Defective Concrete Block Crisis, objectors and Irish Water have all been blamed for the lack of delivery of social housing in Donegal. New figures show that Donegal delivered just 46% of its overall housing target figure between 2022-2024. Overall, it's the worst performing local authority. Sligo met 55% of its target over the same period. Newl…

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Leitrim housing targets should be higher - Fallon 1:53

16h ago1:53

1:53

It's thought that housing targets in County Leitrim should be higher. It comes as new figures show that Leitrim reached 98% of its overall housing target between 2022 and 2024. Out of 82 social homes due to be built, 80 were completed. But local Cllr Padraig Fallon believes that the targets are too low in the first place and that the local authorit…

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Some N17 safety measures won't happen in near future 2:33

16h ago2:33

2:33

Some long awaited safety measures on the N17 will not happen in the near future. A number of pedestrian crossings are said to be progressing in various villages along the route but key areas like Ballinacarrow and Achonry have been shelved for the time being. It's all said to be down to a lack of funding. Cllr Michael Clarke says they will be reapp…

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No plans to provide for local link from south Sligo into Sligo Town 2:30

16h ago2:30

2:30

There's currently no plans to provide a local link along the N17 from south Sligo into Sligo Town. It had been hoped locally that the service would be rolled out in the area. In a statement the NTA say that services along the N17 into Sligo are currently provided by Bus Éireann Expressway route 64 and Bus Feda route 964, both on a commercial basis.…

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Donegal woman performs with Alanis Morissette on stage 0:15

1d ago0:15

0:15

A County Donegal woman's been reliving the moment she performed on stage with Alanis Morissette in front of thousands of fans. Gráinne Gillespie was chosen from the crowd to join the Canadian-American star on stage at Malahide Castle in Dublin last night. She sang a verse and chorus of the classic song ' Ironic'. Grainne says everyone backstage was…

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Sligo Leitrim TD backs smoking ban in select outdoor spaces 1:59

1d ago1:59

1:59

A Sligo-Leitrim TD has backed calls for a smoking ban on a number of public spaces. The Irish Heart Foundation has asked the government to follow in the steps of France where they have now prohibited smoking in areas such as beaches and parks. Ireland was the first country to ban smoking indoors back in 2004. Fine Gael Deputy Frank Feighan says he …

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Parts of County Leitrim could be left without GP - report 2:31

1d ago2:31

2:31

Parts of County Leitrim could be left without a GP in the future. New research published by the Department of Health shows pinpoints areas with the highest proportion of GPs “at risk of retirement with no viable replacement”. Practices with a single GP make up half of services deemed to be “at risk”. Single-GP practices are said to be more concentr…

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Reintroduction of student fees is another example of broken government promises – Pearse Doherty TD 3:05

4d ago3:05

3:05

A Donegal TD is accusing the government of breaking more promises, as student fees are to increase in September. Over the last three budgets, a cut of a thousand euro was applied to the contribution fee for students. It was initially a temporary measure, but was made solid in the recent Programme for Government. Over recent days however, there have…

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Sligo Councillor urges Local Authority to use vacant houses to combat homelessness crisis 2:31

4d ago2:31

2:31

Vacant houses in Sligo need to be used to combat the worsening levels of homelessness in the North West. That's according to local Cllr Gino O'Boyle. He made the calls following the latest homeless report from the department of housing. The report showed that there was an increase last month in both adults and families accessing emergency accommoda…

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Renewed calls for better home help services in North West 2:28

1d ago2:28

2:28

There are renewed calls for better home help services in the North West. It comes in the wake of a new ESRI report, which shows a projected need to increase the amount of long-term beds in care homes. Nationally, its estimated 47 to 53 thousand beds will be needed to match the demand of an aging population But Independent Cllr Marie Casserly believ…

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Drumshanbo Councillor calls for no casual trading licences to be issued during festival 3:05

1d ago3:05

3:05

Calls are being made on the Local Authority in Leitrim not to grant any occasional or one-off casual trading licences in Drumshanbo for business competing against existing rate paying businesses in the town during the weeks of the An Tostal and Joe Mooney Summer School Festivals. The Calls have come from local Councillor Enda Mc Gloin, who says it …

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Doctors renew call for surgical hub at Letterkenny University Hospital 0:33

1d ago0:33

0:33

Serious concern has been raised over confirmation from a Sligo-Leitrim TD that her lobbying efforts has secured much-needed surgical hub for Sligo. On Friday, Minister Marian Harkin confirmed that the decision to site the surgical hub in Sligo formed part of her negotiations during the Programme for Government. What has been described as ‘a constru…

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Taoiseach defends halting Sligo social homes 0:37

2d ago0:37

0:37

The Taoiseach has defended the decision in which a number of social homes were pulled in Sligo. Almost 3 thousand social homes across the country, which includes a site in Sligo will be delayed in their roll out, due to value for money concerns. The Journal.ie are reporting that a stalled housing project of almost 500 social homes, which included s…

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Border region set to feel the pinch with further fuel taxes 3:20

6d ago3:20

3:20

Customers in the north west are once again set to bear the brunt of a price increase at the pumps. After a series of hikes in the price of both petrol and diesel since late last year, the price of a litre has remained largely unchanged. Fuels for Ireland wants the Government to lower taxes to ease pressure on consumers. CEO, Kevin McPartland says i…

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50 children homeless in north west 0:22

3d ago0:22

0:22

Over 50 children in the north west have nowhere to call home here. The monthly homeless figures, published on Friday, revealed the highest numbers of people living in emergency accommodation in May. Figures show there were 170 adults in the north west accessing emergency accommodation at the end of the month. 91 of them were registered in Sligo, 56…

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Memorial cross to be unveiled at Sligo Cemetery for soldiers 2:17

4d ago2:17

2:17

A memorial cross will be unveiled at the National Army Plot at Sligo Cemetery on Saturday June 28th at 11am. The plot has remained unmarked and unattended for most of the last 100 years, and it is known that at least two Soldiers are buried in the plot. They are Private James Byrne and Sergeant James Skeffington. While another soldier, Private Jack…

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Cllr Paddy Farrell elected Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council 1:23

4d ago1:23

1:23

Fianna Fail Cllr Paddy Farrell has been elected Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council. He replaces Cllr Paddy O'Rourke in the Chair for the next twelve months. Fellow Fianna Fail Cllr Gary Prior has been elected Leas-Cathaoirleach. Speaking to Ocean FM news, Cllr Farrell says it's a privilege to serve the people of Leitrim:…

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Former Donegal TD fearful for Ireland's neutrality 1:56

6d ago1:56

1:56

A former Donegal TD is fearful over the future of Ireland's neutrality. This follows news that Ireland is set to sign up to a 150 billion euro EU plan that aims to boost defence, which will allow the government to secure military equipment faster and at a lower cost. As tensions increase across Europe and the wider world over international conflict…

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Health Minister's surgical hub comments causes concern in Sligo 2:51

4d ago2:51

2:51

The Health Minister's latest comments on the surgical hub has raised concern in Sligo. Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeil confirmed that no decision had been reached on the hub between Sligo and Donegal, and also stated that as of yesterday morning, no business case for the hub had reached her desk. It had been expected that Sligo would be chosen as…

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Minister outlines plans to combat student accommodation crisis in North West 2:58

5d ago2:58

2:58

The Minister for Further and Higher Education has admitted that the North West needs more student accommodation. It comes as construction is set to begin on a multimillion euro project at ATU Letterkenny. The new building will also increase capacity of ATU Letterkenny by around 600 students. Meanwhile, there's an ongoing student accommodation crisi…

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Concern over new US requirements for those looking to visit 2:51

5d ago2:51

2:51

A Sligo-Leitrim TD has raised concerns over new US requirements for those looking to visit the country. All students applying for J1 visas must make their social media profiles public so US authorities can check them. Failure to do so could result in the visa being rejected, and marks a significant shift in relation to online privacy. Sinn Fein Dep…

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The Final Whistle podcast 26/06/2025 45:39

5d ago45:39

45:39

We’re with Sligo Pétanque Club ahead of Saturday’s Open Day at Mitchell Curley Park. As speculation grows over Reece Hutchinson’s departure from the Showgrounds, we’ll talk to the man Sligo Rovers have brought as defensive cover. Paddy McLean is back in a Rovers shirt for the second time in his career Neuro Diverse FC is a football club with a diff…

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North West storm outages could have been eased by EU offer 0:38

5d ago0:38

0:38

Speaking to MEP Mullooly in Brussels yesterday, Marco Panigalli, the EU's Head of Civil Protection Emergency Response, confirmed that emergency assistance could have been placed on standby, ready to be deployed:

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North West storm outages could have been eased by government action 2:48

7d ago2:48

2:48

Mass North West power and water outages after Storm Eowyn could have been eased if the government had acted sooner. That's according to MEP Ciaran Mullooly, after it emerged that Europe could have provided assistance had the Irish government requested it before the storm hit. The devastating effects of the storm in January of this year left many wi…

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No North West venues allocated funding under Grassroots Music Venues Scheme 2:36

5d ago2:36

2:36

It's been claimed that no North West venues were allocated funding under the Grassroots Music Venues Scheme. This initiative, launched by the Department of Culture, aims to bolster the night-time economy by providing grants of up to €15,000 to small, established venues that showcase emerging musical talent. However it's emerged that just one venue …

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No decision made between Sligo and Donegal for surgical hub 1:50

5d ago1:50

1:50

There has been no decision made on where the surgical hub will be located between Sligo and Donegal. Although it was expected that the hub would be placed at Sligo University Hospital following a business case being submitted by the HSE, it's now been argued that Letterkenny University Hospital should be the priority. Over 170 clinicians from Doneg…