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The Sligo Weekender

Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.

RTÉ News

RTE.ie •

Irish man completes 30,000km charity cycle to Australia

A Roscommon man has finished a cycling challenge which began almost two years ago and saw him travel over 30,000km across three continents to Australia.

Fergal Guihen, from Arigna, arrived in Sydney earlier today marking the completion of a mammoth challenge of endurance which began in March 2024.

The 27-year-old set out on the arduous 'Rossie to Aussie' challenge with the goal of raising awareness and funds for both the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and NorthWest STOP suicide prevention s...
RTE.ie •

Flying the flag - from Roscommon to Australia on a bike

There will be no shortage of Irish flags on display around the world this weekend for the St Patrick's Day festivities.

But one intrepid Irishman has been flying the tricolour every day for the past year, as he cycles across the globe from Ireland to Australia.

Roscommon man Fergal Guihen has been sharing the ups and downs of his mammoth fundraising effort on social media.

So far, he has cycled through 20 countries, crossing Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

Speaking...

Newstalk

Newstalk •

10 years on: Carrickmines halting site fire remembered

On October 10th, 2015, a fire tore through a halting site in Carrickmines, claiming ten lives - five of them children, and one unborn child.
The tragedy shocked the nation, exposed long-standing inequalities, and called for change in Traveller accommodation and safety.
Journalist Tessa Ndjonkou joined Newstalk Daily to re-visit the events of that night, retracing the timeline of the fire and the lives it altered forever. 
Ms Ndjonkou described the living situation of the tenants at the halting...
Newstalk •

'I could hear babies crying': Miscarriage and compassion in Ireland

Clare Moriarty, Post-Doctoral Researcher at Trinity College Dublin joined Shane Coleman on Newstalk Breakfast to share her experience of a miscarriage. 
Ms Moriarty believes that the loss of a pregnancy needs more compassion as women who have gone through such trauma are vulnerable in the aftermath.
“I think I had a typical experience of pregnancy loss. I had my early scans and then when I went in for the 12 week one, the sonogram didn’t register a heartbeat," she says.“I wanted surgery as soon...
Newstalk •

'HSE needs to be more productive': Jennifer Carroll McNeill on spending

The Department of Health’s budget will increase to over €27 billion next year as a result of funding set out in Budget 2026 - but will this be enough to remedy staffing shortfalls, long waitlists and patients waiting on trolleys? 
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health, joined The Pat Kenny Show to speak about where the breakdown of this money will go in the health sector. 
“In many ways we can throw so much money at the health system but it's about the way in which it’s organised. “I ca...
Newstalk •

Daniel Aruebose: Post mortem to take place on remains found in Donabate

After human remains were found in the search for missing child Daniel Aruebose, it is expected they will be removed from the site today for a post mortem to take place.
The remains - which Gardaí believe to be Daniel - were found during a search of open ground on Portrane Road in Donabate, north county Dublin, on Wednesday.
Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte gave an update on the investigation on Newstalk Breakfast, having been close to the site where Gardaí made the discovery.“Gardaí remaine...
Newstalk •

Is Jimmy Kimmel's suspension a crackdown on free speech?

US late night host Jimmy Kimmel has had his programme pulled over “offensive and insensitive” comments about the late Charlie Kirk. 
Kimmel hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which has since been removed from air after comments the host made about the murdered conservative activist.
David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief with The Guardian spoke with Shane Coleman on Newstalk Breakfast about the situation as it stands.
“Jimmy Kimmel, one of the leading late night TV hosts in America, had a monologue on Mond...
Newstalk •

Budget 2026: 'Do we want money for housing or one-off payments?'

The Dáil returns after recent weeks dominated by presidential candidacies, with the Budget now on the horizon  - Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe joined The Pat Kenny Show to discuss. 
The Central Bank warned overnight that the government will need more taxation in place if they want to carry out their current planned expenditure.
“I take on board very much what the Central Bank are proposing, and their need for care regarding our public finances," Minister Donohoe said."I believe I have dem...
Newstalk •

Paudie from Traitors explains whether he knew his son would be on show

Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney speaks about deceit, tactics and how he is '100% a hugger' to Lunchtime Live.
68-year-old Paudie was banished from the castle and revealed his identity as a traitor on Tuesday night’s episode, providing a double shock factor as he also confessed that player Andrew was in fact his son to his fellow contestants.
He joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live to discuss how he has been feeling since the show has been aired.“It's surreal to be honest.
“You never kno...
Newstalk •

Who will replace Mairead McGuinness in the race for the presidency?

After Mairead McGuinness' withdrawal from consideration for the Irish presidency, attention turns to who could replace her in the running.
Paul Hosford, acting Political Editor for the Irish Examiner joined Shane Coleman on Newstalk Breakfast to discuss the position of the presidential race as it currently stands. 
“What happens next is that the executive council of Fine Gael will meet over the coming days to reset their nomination process," he said.
“The process only ended about a month ago, an...
Newstalk •

Oasis: The importance of being Irish to the Gallaghers

One of the most anticipated weekends of the year is upon us as Ireland witnesses the return of the Gallagher brothers and Oasis to the island.
The last time the band were together in Ireland was in Slane in 2009, just weeks before they split. 
According to reports today, the Gallagher brothers will take €61 million away from this weekend alone. Newstalk's Alex Rowley spoke to The Pat Kenny Show about the building excitement amongst fans and Ireland's preparations to welcome Oasis. 
Dave Berry, h...
Newstalk •

From sleepwalking to riots: Living on O'Connell Street

Artist Leo DiVito is one of the last remaining residents on O’Connell Street. 
He joined Moncrieff to to talk about his time growing up in the central Dublin location.
“One memory would be walking back from school and it was just so lovely.
“I have really warm feelings about it.
Leo lives above one of the shops on O’Connell Street, and his grandparents and parents grew up there too. 
“There was a good community going on, and everybody seemed to know everybody.
“You could park outside your premis...
Newstalk •

'It's revolting - I hate it': Should dining areas be pet-free?

‘Pet-friendly cafes? No, thanks – the only animals I want to see in a restaurant are on a plate’ - so says Newstalk's Sinead Ryan. 
Sinead, presenter of The Home Show and columnist with the Irish Independent, joined Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly on Newstalk Breakfast to discuss the idea of animals being allowed in restaurants.
“I think there is a place for pets—it is walking in the park or at home. It's definitely not where food of any kind is being served or prepared.“It's not that I don’t like...
Newstalk •

Scoliosis scandal: 'Our boy had to rest on the floor of the car on 700km trip'

Àfter the death of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, focus is once again on the families in Ireland attempting to access scoliosis surgery - with calls growing for Tánaiste Simon Harris to resign.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for the Tánaiste to meet with the family of the late Harvey, who died last month after delays in accessing urgent scoliosis surgery.
The Hard Shoulder spoke to two families directly affected by the delays in scoliosis treatment to better understand what they are f...
Newstalk •

Mary Robinson: 'Gaza famine induced by Israel - trade should stop'

Mary Robinson says Israel has to be sanctioned amid an 'unfolding genocide', following a visit to Egypt and the border with the Gaza Strip.
Former president Robinson spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about what she saw on the trip, as aid trucks attempted entry into an area where famine is rife due to Israel preventing the entry of food an medicine.
“It was certainly very emotional at the border itself because it was so silent."Trucks went in very early in the morning and we saw two trucks for the twe...
Newstalk •

Policing: Crowe report reveals major faults in Road Policing Division

The independent Crowe report into the Gardaí Roads Policing Unit found elements of the service 'unproductive.'
Investigators looked into six divisions and uncovered issues like managers being unwilling to proactively manage their staff, supervisors assigned to road policing but not licensed to drive a road policing vehicle and members only doing checks close to their station.
Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent with The Irish Times joined The Pat Kenny Show to help understand the r...
Newstalk •

Scoliosis: Family says CHI 'utterly incompetent' amid scandal

One family has called Children's Health Ireland 'utterly incompetent' in their approach to scoliosis and other spinal issues, as anger grows after the death of young Harvey Morrison-Sherratt.
9-year-old Harvey died at the end of July, having suffered from scoliosis and spina bifida. His parents are due to meet Tánaiste Simon Harris, who said in 2017 that no child would wait more than four months for scoliosis surgery while Minister for Health.
As Harvey faced delay after delay, so Lunchtime Live...
Newstalk •

Concussion in rugby: Revealing new figures show worrying trend in young

A former international rugby player believes that “players don’t think twice about going on the pitch” as new statistics around concussion in young people have been published. 
A study by UCC’s School of Medicine and Cork University Hospital revealed that over one-third of players at schools level said they would play on with a headache from a minor concussion. 
Alix Popham, former Wales international, is the founder of the Head for Change charity and joined Shane Coleman on Newstalk Breakfast....
Newstalk •

Students 'set to miss out on qualified teachers this September'

Students are set to miss out on learning opportunities this coming September due to a lack of qualified teachers, according to the Teachers’ Union of Ireland [TUI].
With back-to-school time fast approaching, the TUI believes that students will miss out on subject options this year because of an ongoing recruitment and retention crisis. 
Anthony Quinn, TUI President, joined Ciara Kelly on Newstalk Breakfast. 
“We have been putting forward very meaningful and substantive things that the Department...
Newstalk •

Irish charity says Ukrainians 'afraid of being the forgotten war'

As talks regarding the Russia-Ukraine war are set to get underway, one Irish charity has said Ukrainian victims of war are 'afraid of being forgotten.'
With the war ongoing, and ensuing humanitarian crises in Ukraine, Irish based charity One 4 Humanity aids victims of armed conflict, with particular focus on disabled children in the country.
Ex-Munster rugby player Shane Leahy is co-founder of the charity. He joined The Pat Kenny Show on Wednesday, having just returned from the city of Kherson....
Newstalk •

Is it 'too little too late’ for Bono and U2 to give their opinion on Gaza?

U2 and Bono are facing an online backlash after the band posted statements supporting Gaza last Sunday, with some critics believing the move is 'performative.' 
Some believe it is ‘too little too late’ for U2, a band generally seen as vocal on humanitarian crises. 
Louise Bruton is an arts journalist and joined Lunchtime Live with Andrea Gilligan and says she believes the criticism is justified.
“[When] Bono and the rest of the band’s support has come out in the form of a social media post, when...
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The University Observer

Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.
University Observer •

Are bachelor’s degrees necessary in the working world? | University Observer

Cara McHugh investigates the growing trend of ridding this educational requirement

By Cara McHugh | Jan 24 2024

Without a doubt, there is a flawed perception of bachelor’s degrees and their importance in Ireland. For many years, a BA has been a traditional rite of passage which has plagued the goals, career pathways, and lives of young Irish people. They are left convinced that an undergraduate qualification is the only means of obtaining employment. However, based on recent studies it is evid...
University Observer •

Embracing Irish Culture in Dublin: The Non-Temple Bar edition | University Observer

Cara McHugh explores the evolution of Irish nightlife, from deep-rooted traditions to its modern-day scene.

By Cara McHugh | Apr 22 2025

Nightlife has played a significant role in Irish culture for centuries. Many might be familiar with the Irish céilís, which have served as a prominent form of dance and arts culture since the 1500s. During that period, these gatherings featured traditional Irish dances such as reels or jigs, performed both solo or in groups. As Penal laws were introduced in t...
University Observer •

Liquid Gold - The Business of Coffee | University Observer

Cara McHugh opens the lid of the lucrative coffee trade.

By Cara McHugh | Apr 24 2024

What's an essential pre-class companion and a highly coveted item on campus? You guessed it, coffee! Whether you fancy it iced or with alternative milks or syrups - there really is a caffeinated concoction to satisfy every taste bud. But have you ever thought to tally up the cost of these seemingly ‘harmless’ coffee runs which occur several times a week?

Fear not, as I have saved you the dooming calculations...