Best of Nolan

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Stephen Nolan's no nonsense approach to confronting the biggest issues of the day: an unmissable mixture of news, phone ins and entertainment. From BBC Radio Ulster

BBC Radio Ulster


    • Jan 16, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 18m AVG DURATION
    • 1,363 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Best of Nolan

    Rat wreaks havoc in car chewing through seat belts and wires as owner says his motor is now a write off

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2026 77:56


    Also, is it time for a sporting museum in Northern Ireland?

    Organ donation heroes celebrated for their lifesaving impact in this deeply personal programme with Stephen Watson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2026 80:12


    & new report suggests in event of united Ireland, a new broadcaster should be considered

    Barristers' strike grinds justice to a halt for many as Justice Minister insists pay demands need to be justified

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 81:45


    & retired superbike rider Glenn Irwin reveals to Stephen Watson his return to the NW200.

    DUP Sports Minister weighs in on row over Ulster Banner being dropped as NI's flag for Commonwealth Games

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2026 77:45


    Plus, pressure mounts on Grok - X's AI chatbot - as Justice Minister seeks law change.

    Nolan exclusive – the end of the Ulster banner at the Commonwealth Games unless the executive intervenes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2026 77:43


    Stephen Watson in the presenter's seat, also the Assembly's proposed multi-year budget.

    Mugshots of convicted criminals to be released more routinely by PSNI following criticism from victims

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026 78:46


    Also, woman referred to urgent ENT waiting list 18 months ago has still no appointment

    Young mother and her three children forced to leave home after being targeted in double shooting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2026 79:12


    Also, elderly man left on floor with broken hip for nearly 14 hrs after ambulance call

    Draft multi-year budget row - 'a way forward' says Sinn Féin Finance Minister, but 'deeply flawed' says DUP

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2026 78:59


    Also, is it good news for GAA fans as extra £40m earmarked for Casement Park development?

    An emotional plea from family of missing Cookstown man - 21-year-old Taylor Stewart

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026 79:13


    Eve Rosato takes the reigns this week, also tackling cold weather support.

    More victims told to expect their cases to be adjourned as barristers strike begins

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2026 78:06


    Also, Mike Nesbitt confirms he is to stand down as leader of the UUP - who'll take over?

    None of this argy-bargy - it's a different kind of Nolan Show on Christmas Eve

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 63:39


    Stephen speaks with guests about their favourite festive memories.

    Scale back Casement Park plans and spread the money around Ulster - Tyrone GAA Chairman tells Irish News

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 79:46


    And - broadcaster Julian Simmons & hairdresser Paul Meekin talk hair dye with Nolan.

    Potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds offered back to Education Authority by taxi operators - sources tell Nolan

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2025 79:16


    Also, weight-loss jabs, what happens when you want to stop using them?

    Education Minister gets Executive permission to bust budget to deliver teacher pay award - how is this fiscally responsible?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025 73:24


    Sinn Féin 'blocking' efforts to tackle benefit fraudsters - Communities Minister Gordon Lyons

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2025 78:25


    Plus, Belfast City Council vote to replace real Christmas tree with an artificial one

    Family of Natalie McNally speak out as they are told to prepare for the trial into her murder to be delayed

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2025 78:55


    Also, local woman went abroad for surgery after being told of 5-year waiting list here.

    Don't overload sockets and unplug electrical items at night – renewed safety advice from Fire Service following fatal fires

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2025 77:44


    Plus, some councils to leave public waiting longer for post festive collections

    NI Commissioner for Victims of Crime ‘very angry' as victims ‘pay price' for barrister strike

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2025 70:17


    Geraldine Hanna is in the Nolan studio.

    Despite “super flu” surge six schools and two care homes are yet to be offered vaccine in Northern Ireland

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025 80:22


    Nolan talks to the Public Health Agency's Director of Public Health - Dr Joanne McClean

    Health workers' union issues warning to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt – Work toward real living wage or face potential strikes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025 78:38


    NIPSA's Deputy General Secretary Patrick Mulholland talks to Nolan.

    Former Chief Con George Hamilton calls for judicial review into MI5 following Stakeknife report

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2025 80:38


    Nolan also talks to Belfast Telegraph's Allison Morris and Aontu leader Peadar Tóibín

    Stormont Executive parties meet to thrash out just what spare money they have and which departments are going to get it

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025 78:33


    Slugger O'Toole's Mick Fealty and Ulster University's Professor Deirdre Heenan discuss

    'A Treasury stooge' - that's how a Dept of Education source has described Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd in row over budgets

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025 79:00


    Ex-Civil Service Permanent Secretary Dr Andrew McCormick & SDLP MLA Colin McGrath react

    PHA reveal children from 40 schools in Northern Ireland have yet to receive the flu vaccine

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2025 80:15


    Dr Joanne McClean - Director of Public Health at the PHA - is in the Nolan studio

    Rapid rise in flu, EDs under pressure and ambulances struggling to keep up with demand - what are we going to do about it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025 80:03


    Half a million spend on Stormont canteen refurbishment - is that money well spent?

    Public money finding its way from some government departments to paramilitaries - Justice Minister

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2025 78:39


    Nolan talks to UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie and author Dr Aaron Edwards

    Another flag row at Belfast City Council as Palestinian flag raised over City Hall

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2025 79:26


    Also, Sinn Féin's former publicity director warns that Stormont is in big, big trouble.

    Justice Minister Naomi Long on policing, paramilitaries, and barrister's strike

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025 80:32


    The Alliance Party leader is in the Nolan studio

    Man arrested for attempted murder after police attacked with knife - what can be done to better protect officers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2025 79:17


    Nolan talks to PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton

    Sinn Féin MLA's son denies damaging DUP mayor portrait

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2025 78:49


    Nolan talks to BBC NI political reporter Brendan Hughes and DUP MLA Philip Brett

    More questions for Sinn Féin as DUP MLA accuses them of 'cover up' over vandalised portrait at Belfast City Hall

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2025 78:51


    Nolan talks to editor of Slugger O'Toole, Mick Fealty

    DUP call on Sinn Fein to reveal all they know about Lord Mayor's portrait vandalism in Belfast City Hall

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2025 79:52


    Nolan talks to DUP MLA Brian Kingston and BBC News NI political reporter Brendan Hughes

    Hardship fund slashed as council underspend earmarked for Irish language policy and Orange order building refurb

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2025 79:52


    Nolan talks to SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite and TUV Councillor Ron McDowell

    Covid Inquiry reports – local Ministers failed to put common interest of people in NI above party political differences

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2025 80:12


    Nolan talks to Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson and Ulster University's Prof Deirdre Heenan

    How religion taught in NI unlawful rules Supreme Court - so how do schools make sure religious teaching is objective?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2025 78:39


    Nolan talks to TUV leader Jim Allister MP and Boyd Slater from NI Humanists

    Health Minister says 'sorry' to cancer patients & defends having to use waiting lists money to plug massive hole in his budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2025 77:06


    PSNI launch criminal investigation following safeguarding concerns in Presbyterian church

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2025 78:06


    Leading GP calls for debate on NI leaving the UK NHS and joining Republic of Ireland's health scheme

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2025 79:19


    Nolan talks to the BMA's Dr Alan Stout and political commentator Newton Emerson.

    Presbyterian Church in Ireland raised concerns with PSNI after the conviction of an individual in 2024 for child sexual offences

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2025 79:20


    Also, GP Dr Jack Mosely on the science behind weight loss drugs.

    Presbyterian Church member claims he had concerns 'dismissed' over alleged abuse 'bordering on sexual'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2025 79:04


    Church admits to 'serious failings' - what are the safeguarding issues?

    Health Minister 'troubled' by flu figures and low uptake of vaccine from health care workers.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2025 77:52


    What implications does that have on patients?

    Trump vs the BBC - President threatens BBC with $1BN lawsuit over Panorama edit

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2025 80:05


    Legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg and former BBC editorial director Roger Mosey react.

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