Spirit Radio's Podcast

In part two of our interview with Bishop Emeritus of Derry, Donal McKeown, he speaks about a potential merger of the diocese of Derry with that of Raphoe and what retirement looks like for him. 

Last month, Bishop Donal McKeown retired as Bishop of Derry, saying his final Mass as head of the diocese in St Eugene’s Cathedral.    Bishop McKeown was in the role for 12 years during which time he led his flock through the Covid pandemic, as well as celebrating the funeral Masses of John Hume and Seamus Heaney.    As he now looks forward to a life without the responsibilities of diocesan Bishop, he spoke to Lydia O’Kane about some of the highlights of his time in Derry.  He also reflects on the challenges of secular society today and the current Drumcree Parade dispute. 

Today, we're reflecting on a really powerful passage from Philippians 2:1–11, where Paul reminds us that our Christian faith isn't just about what we believe—it's also about how we live and, importantly, how we treat one another. There's a beautiful challenge in the passage to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” And then Paul points us towards the example of Jesus, encouraging us to have the same attitude and mindset that Christ had. But how do we take words like humility, selflessness and putting others first and actually live them out in the middle of everyday life? Joining us to explore that is Brother Ronan Sharpley.

Imagine spending more than five years in prison simply because of your work making the Bible available to others. That's the story of Fu Xuanjuan, a Christian in China sentenced to six years after working for a company selling audio Bible players. Church in Chains has now learned that she was released on parole in September 2025, after serious health problems. In her own words, Fu spoke of the hardship she endured, but also of the prayers and support of Christians around the world. She said, “I was not alone, because I had all of you.” She also described opportunities to share her faith in prison, including with a prison officer who began reading the Bible. Joining us now is David Turner, Director of Church in Chains, to tell us more about Fu's story and the situation facing Christians in China.

Singer/Songwriter Niamh Armstrong joined Kieran in studio today. Many listeners will remember Niamh from The Voice of Ireland, where she made quite an impression with her powerful vocals.  But there's much more to Niamh's musical journey, and today we're going to hear about the person behind the voice, her songwriting, and what's inspiring her musically at the moment.

We're living in a time when there's more interest than ever in longevity. We're being told about biological-age tests, supplements and new ways to slow down the ageing process. But how much of this is actually backed by science? And what really makes the difference when it comes to staying healthy, independent and active as we get older? Professor Rose Anne Kenny has spent decades studying ageing and is the founding Principal Investigator of TILDA, the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. TILDA has now been following people for 20 years, giving us a unique insight into why some people age better than others.

Dr Margaret Kennedy is a disability rights activist and co-founder of Cothrom.  She says she spent the last Budget Day in tears, and she's now calling for personal assistance to be put on a statutory footing.  Margaret has also made a pre-Budget submission setting out why she believes this needs to happen.    “I spent last years budget day in tears, I cried all day long as I would defy any adult to have to sit in wet incontinence pads while listening to platitudes about disabled people from government ministers”

Journalist and correspondent Colm Flynn, has been in St. Louis covering the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.  Sheen was one of the great pioneers of religious broadcasting, reaching millions through radio and television, and now, following that historic ceremony, he is Blessed Fulton Sheen.   

Mary McCarthy has seen this issue from both sides — as a journalist, but also as a parent.  In her latest column, she describes sitting on a Brussels tram with her 17-year-old son, surrounded by schoolchildren scrolling on their phones, and asks whether the EU's new approach to online safety could finally give parents some control back.  She's cautiously optimistic about the proposed EU Kids Act — but there are some big questions about how it will work in practice. 

Ahead of March for Jesus tomorrow, Wendy was joined in studio by Gianpaolo Valero

There's been a lot of discussion recently about the number of older women seeking IVF and, in particular, the use of donor eggs.  Dr Phil Boyle from NeoFertility joins me to talk about why this is happening, what women are being told about their fertility, and whether there are other options worth exploring. 

Lydia O’Kane Spoke with Marian Quinn CEO of the Childhood Development Initiative Tallaght which works with Dolly’s Imagination Library.

if you're looking for a challenge that will test you physically, but also give you space to reflect, pray and reconnect with your faith, there's a very special pilgrimage coming up in the Boyne Valley.   The St Joseph Men's Camino takes place on Saturday, September 12th organised by the Dominican Friars and Friends. Along the route there'll be Mass, Adoration, Confession and fraternity, with Fr Mark Quinn speaking after dinner.   Telling us more is Eddie McNally and Father Maurice Colgan. 

Today we're talking about a remarkable Irish woman whose life has been dedicated to helping others. Stronger Together: The Life and Work of Sister Lena Deevy tells the story of a woman from Crettyard in County Laois who became a Little Sister of the Assumption, worked for many years in Ballymun and went on to become a leading advocate for Irish immigrants in Boston.   Joining me to talk about the book and Sister Lena's extraordinary life are Dominic Cogan and Chandra Manning, the authors of Stronger Together.

Release is an Irish charity working with people affected by incarceration, supporting prisoners and former prisoners through restorative justice, mentoring, addiction recovery and practical support to help people rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.    Jay Bobinac, CEO of Release tells us about the work of Release and an upcoming fundraising event, Release the Rock. 

Last week Dublin city councilor Gayle Ralph wrote to the CEO of ReTurn(the bottle and can recycling scheme) highlighting major concerns about litter now caused as a result of the scheme and what its costing local authorities. She spoke with Nikki Hayes  

March for Jesus Dublin is only weeks away. Taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026. It begins at the Garden of Remembrance and proceeds toward Merrion Square for a public celebration of Christian faith featuring worship, prayer, and testimonies. Participation is free and open to all Pastor John Aherne joined Lydia O’Kane with all the details.    

We're living in a world where family life can feel incredibly busy. Between school, work, activities, screens and everything else competing for our attention, quality time together can easily slip down the list. But perhaps our children are telling us something when they crave more time with us. Dr Malie Coyne chatted to Kieran about why family time matters so much

Nicki Hayes, Mary Hulgraine and John Edwards spoke to Kieran about the ‘Life in the Handbag’ project which is running at the moment in Omagh August 26–30, 2026 Omagh Auction Mart, County Tyrone https://walkingfree.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@WalkingFreeTV

This week on Prayer Coach, we're reflecting on one of Jesus' most challenging teachings — forgiveness. In Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive someone, and Jesus responds with the powerful parable of the unforgiving servant. Susan Heaney chatted with Kieran about how to take that teaching out of Scripture and into our everyday lives

There is a real conversation happening around men today — about identity, purpose, masculinity and, for many, a disconnect from faith.   Patrick Reynolds joins us to talk about the crisis he believes many men are facing, and about the upcoming Wild at Heart four-day retreat, which aims to help men rediscover who they are, their purpose and their relationship with God.  

AI is now being used for everything from writing emails to answering legal questions, but can we really trust it when the stakes are high?   With the Irish courts now putting greater emphasis on the responsible use of AI and warning about the dangers of fabricated cases, legislation and legal references, it raises a very important question: can you trust AI when it comes to the law?   Solicitor Cormac Ó Ceallaigh joins us to explain what we need to know. 

Evangelist John Edwards has seen first-hand how faith can transform lives, and now he's bringing the tent revival back to Northern Ireland.   From August 26th to 30th, a five-day revival will take place in Omagh, with John and others coming together to share a message of hope and faith. And next Wednesday, The Handbag Project goes live on YouTube — another initiative aimed at reaching people with practical care and hope. 

A devestating earthquake hit Columbia on Monday last and Aid to The Church in Need immidiately launched an emergency appeal and supported churches and ministries with what they needed on the ground. Brandon Scott joined Nikki Hayes to discuss.

Psychotheraist Conor o’Leary talks to Nikki Hayes about homesickness .. is it a real physical illness or all in our head?

Tracy Carroll is a inclusion and disability activist. She has her daughter willow with complex needs and son Noah who is Neurodivergent .. back to school isn’t straight forward when there isn’t adequate support

John G O'Dwyer, Chairman of Pilgrim Paths Ireland talking about being safe on pilgrim walks during the hot weather with our news editor Lydia O’Kane

Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin who is also chair of the Bishops' Council for Evangelisation, Catechetics and Pastoral Renewal spoke with our news editor Lydia O’Kane about Evangelising in cities in Ireland and beyond

Pastor Ishmael from Hope Church in Ennis joined Nikki Hayes as this weeks Prayer Coach. Ishael refelcted on Hebrews:11

Rev Gareth McFadden has found a rather unusual way to put his faith into action — by getting on the road and taking on physical challenges to raise money for Christian Aid.   His fundraising has helped support people living in poverty and crisis, while also becoming part of his own journey to better health. Gareth joins us now to tell us about the challenge and why Christian Aid is a cause so close to his heart. 

We can be very good at guarding ourselves from the world—but are we as intentional about guarding our hearts? In Proverbs we’re reminded to “guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”   Shaun Loughlin, who writes The Daily Dose, a daily devotion designed to help us bring God into the ordinary moments of our day shares what it really means to guard our hearts and protect what we’re allowing to shape us. Check them out HERE  

Shankill Tennis Club has been at the forefront of developing the sport in Ireland, with a programme that has grown significantly and has welcomed players of all ages and abilities. Joining Kieran was Liam O’Donaghue from the club and Riya Devereux one of the winning athletes who represented Ireland at the International Blind Tennis World Championships, where she won two bronze medals.  

Pete answers your pet questions which you can email anytime to producer@spiritradio.ie

Anthony Crossy is a podcaster, evangelist and speaker from Northern Ireland whose passion is helping people discover hope, purpose and faith in Jesus through honest conversations and real-life testimony.   Through his podcast and ministry, he’s reaching people with a message of grace, restoration and encouragement. 

Pregnancy is one of life’s most incredible journeys, but it can also bring moments of uncertainty, excitement and plenty of questions. For many parents, prayer becomes a source of peace, strength and reassurance as they prepare to welcome a new life into the world.   Joining us today is Emma Lewis, better known as The Mama Coach and she's going to talk about praying over your pregnancy and your newborn and how faith can become a source of comfort from bump to baby 

Time for “Life in 5 “and our guest today is Camille Dillon grew up in France and now living in Balbriggan. She's in Ireland 40 years next month. She's ridden Icelandic ponies and bird watched at dawn in Trinidad and Tobago.    

August is one of the busiest months of the year for family holidays, and while the excitement is building, so too can the nerves—especially for younger children facing their first flight or a long day of travel.   Parenting expert Jen Hogan joins us with practical advice on how parents can prepare children before they even reach the airport, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination

Our Prayer Coach slot today is Fr Brian Shortall from Halston Street Parish in Dublin 7, who’ll help us unpack why Paul’s timeless words in 1Corinthians remain just as relevant today and how we can live them out in our everyday lives.  “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs… Love never fails.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 

Today we’re talking about a very special ship that’s bringing books, knowledge and a message of hope to people around the world. Logos Hope is home to the world’s largest floating book fair, welcoming thousands of visitors in each port and offering more than 5,000 titles to people of all ages.   Joining Kieran to tell us more about this incredible project are Salome Isler-Mey, Project Coordinator for Logos Hope, and Ruchir Rana. 

we're talking about a question that's on the minds of musicians, artists, writers, and creatives everywhere: Will AI kill creativity?  Joining us is Louis Hemmings, who brings a thoughtful perspective to the conversation about AI, music, and what makes human creativity truly unique. As AI becomes increasingly capable of creating music, poetry, and art, we're left asking what this means for the future of human creators. 

CEO of Spirit Radio Rob Clarke encourages us to pray more in this world of dis-ease we are living in today

Erin Galvin, founder of Inheritance Ministries. Erin's heart is to help people discover the healing, freedom, and identity found in Jesus Christ through teaching, discipleship, prayer, and ministry.  Through Inheritance Ministries, Erin also shares Blessed & Anointed Fragrance Oils, created as prophetic reminders of God's presence, healing, and promises. She is passionate about seeing people experience restoration and wholeness through Jesus, including through the ministry of Soul Fracture Restoration. 

Harmony M. Klingenmeyer, founder of Hear Their Voices Ministries, ordained minister, published author, and passionate advocate for Christ-centered foster care and adoption.  Harmony and her husband, Scott, have adopted three sons from foster care and have walked alongside many families through reunification and healing. Through her journey, Harmony discovered a unique calling to help bring healing to those impacted by trauma through her ministry, Soul Fracture Restoration. 

The Head 2 Head Challenge is back with members of the emergency services joining forces to raise money for Charity. This year it’s for the Bray Senior fund and will include members of the Fire Service, Coastguard, Gardai and Defence Forces alongside members of the public walking Wicklow Head to Bray Head along the coast. Firefighter Brian Murray joined Nikki Hayes to discuss

This week's Prayer Coach is evangelist Dermot Landy, who joins us to reflect on what it means to live a life transformed by Christ. Through his ministry, Dermot encourages people to deepen their faith, seek God in prayer, and share the hope of the Gospel with others. Dermot's reflection this week is based on Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” — Galatians 2:20 This powerful verse reminds us that following Jesus is not simply about adding faith to our lives, but allowing Christ to shape who we are, our choices, and how we live each day.

Richard O'Shea is captain of the Global Mercy, the world's largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship, operated by Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to communities through free surgical care, medical training, and practical support, serving alongside local healthcare systems across Africa and beyond. Richard is home for a few weeks before returning to the ship in September as the Global Mercy heads to Ghana for its next mission.

The Irish Bible Institute (IBI) equips students to grow in their understanding of the Bible, theology, and Christian life. Through accessible courses, including evening and degree programmes, IBI helps students deepen their faith, engage with Scripture, and prepare to serve their churches and communities. Rachel Kelleher and Anthony Breen are  IBI students and they talk about their experiences studying theology and how it has shaped their faith and understanding.   For more info click HERE

Derek Farrell, Chairperson and Director of the Arthur McCluskey Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping some of the poorest communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.   Following a hugely successful visit earlier this year, Fr. Svet from Medjugorje will return to Ireland from the 21st to the 27th of August 2026, visiting Dublin, Louth, Waterford, Cork, Kerry and Clare.   The week promises evenings of prayer, reflection and hope, while also raising awareness of the Foundation’s ongoing humanitarian work   

Many electricity customers are wondering why some overnight electricity tariffs are going up when we’re constantly told Ireland is producing more renewable energy than ever. We also hear about surplus wind energy that can’t be used.  So why is that happening, and could we be making better use of that energy?  Joining me first is Alan Wyley from EnergyCloud Ireland and then we speak with Peadar Toibin from Aontu

Glendalough Hermitage Centre Pilgrim Walks – Cormac O’Ceallaigh Following the tradition of pilgrimage, a series of walks has been organised to mark St Kevin's Day in Glendalough. Participants will walk towards Glendalough following a choice of 8 different routes and distances to suit everyone from 2 km to 15 km which will merge along the way with other walkers from the same area. If you're thinking of walking all you need to do is – Pick one of the routes and then contact the group leader who will give you the details on the route's length, starting time, location as detailed above. Each person will walk all or part of their chosen route finishing with a ‘gathering' of walkers sharing refreshments at the Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh from 1.30 pm onwards. For more information on the walks see https://glendaloughhermitage.ie/glendalough/ 

Our Holiday Doctor, Joe Supple is off to Tunisia and it’s not his first time.