The Greg Hughes Podcast

This week on The Greg Hughes Podcast, I’m joined by a living legend of Irish traditional music: fiddler, vocalist, and founding member of Altan,

Born and raised in the heart of the West Donegal Gaeltacht of Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), Mairéad was immersed in music from an early age under the guidance of her father, the famous fiddle teacher Francie Ní Mhaonaigh. Over a extraordinary career spanning four decades, she went from primary school teaching to co-founding Altan with her late husband Frankie Kennedy, taking Donegal’s unique fiddling tradition and the Irish language onto the global stage.

In this episode, we cover:

From Gweedore to the World: Growing up in a steeped musical heritage, forming Altan, and touring internationally from local halls to packed halls across North America, Europe, and Japan.

Life on the Road & Parenting: The realities of maintaining a relentless global touring schedule while balancing motherhood and family life.

Recognition & Legacy: Reflecting on major honors, including being named TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year (TG4 Gradam Ceoil Ceoltóir na Bliaina) , Donegal Person of the Year and her ongoing work with projects like String Sisters and Na Mooneys.

Live Studio Music: Unique, live acoustic performances recorded right alongside our conversation.

Whether you've followed Altan since the early days or simply love authentic conversations about music, culture, and life, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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In this episode, we sit down with former Tánaiste, Cabinet Minister, and current Chairperson of the Donegal GAA County Board, Mary Coughlan.

We take a wide-ranging look back at her life and career—from entering national politics at just 21 as the youngest TD in the country, to managing high-stakes government portfolios during turbulent economic times, and her recent return to public life leading Gaelic games in her home county.

What We Cover

The Family Roots in Donegal Politics: Growing up in Inver/Frosses. How the tragic death of her uncle, TD Clem Coughlan, in a 1983 car crash brought her father Cathal into politics—and how his sudden death just three years later launched Mary's own career on Donegal County Council at age 21.

Entering the Dáil at 21: Becoming the youngest TD in the 25th Dáil in 1987, learning the ropes as a young woman in Leinster House, and serving as a fluent Irish speaker championing Gaeltacht affairs.

The Cabinet & Tánaiste Years: Looking back on her rapid rise through major government roles—including Agriculture, Social Affairs, Enterprise, Education, and Health—and serving as Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil during the financial crisis.

Life Beyond Leinster House: Balancing high office with family life, the personal impact of her late husband David Charlton's severe car accident and subsequent passing in 2012, and reflecting on losing her seat in 2011.

A New Chapter in Donegal: Returning to the public eye to advocate for women in farming and making history as the first female Chairperson of the Donegal GAA County Board.

What does it take to become the trusted confidant to some of the world’s most powerful, wealthy, and famous icons?

In this episode, we step into the extraordinary world of Dunlewey’s own Patrick Gallagher. Patrick didn’t just watch twentieth-century history from the sidelines—he was the ultimate insider. From the majestic halls of Glenveagh Castle to the exclusive social circles of Philadelphia, Salzburg, and Hawaii, he held the keys to a golden age of global glamour.

We dive into a lifetime of jaw-dropping stories, including:

Keeping Greta Garbo’s secrets during an incognito ten-day stay in Donegal.

Hosting artistic and literary giants like Andy Warhol and Tennessee Williams.

Rubbing shoulders with Hollywood royalty, from Henry Fonda to Alec Guinness.

Jet-setting on Concorde and spending winters in Hawaii with billionaire heiress Doris Duke.

Driving Lady Diana’s father, Earl Spencer, in an Opel Manta that Patrick still owns today.

And the unforgettable moment he accidentally knocked Bruce Springsteen off his bicycle.

This is a front-row seat to an era of unmatched elegance, told with classic Donegal wit and warmth.

Press play to step inside the legendary life of Patrick Gallagher.

In June 2013, 26-year-old Newry native Kevin Bell tragically lost his life in New York. The overwhelming community response that followed raised far more than was needed to bring him home. Faced with profound personal grief, his parents, Ethne and Colin Bell, made a decision that would change Irish society: they used the surplus funds to help another grieving family.

That single act of kindness birthed the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT).

This week, Greg is joined by Colin and Ethne to discuss their incredible 13-year journey operating a 24/7 lifeline for families facing the nightmare of a sudden death overseas. They open up about how the trust was guided by Kevin’s memory, the emotional toll of their work, and their recent milestone decision to hand daily operations over to a dedicated team so they can finally take some well-deserved time for themselves.

To date, the trust has stepped into the breach during the darkest hours of grief to bring over 2,500 loved ones home to the island of Ireland.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Remembering Kevin Bell and the New York fundraising drive that started it all.

Navigating the complex logistics and bureaucracy of global repatriation.

The hand of Kevin: How chance encounters and timing guided the charity’s growth.

The reality of running a 24/7 emergency service and its dramatic impact on their lives.

Stepping back: Putting full-time staff in place to protect the future of the trust and reclaim personal time.

Reaching the milestone of 2,500 repatriations and Kevin’s enduring legacy.

Support & Resources:

To learn more about the charity, seek assistance, or make a donation, visit the official website: Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust

This week, we are joined by a truly global heavy-hitter in the medical world who remains deeply rooted right here in Donegal. Professor Dennis McGonagle is a clinical academic and top NHS consultant at the University of Leeds. This year, he made history as the first person from the Republic of Ireland to be awarded the prestigious Heberden Medal by the British Society for Rheumatology.

In this brilliant, wide-ranging, and at times deeply emotional conversation, we step outside the lab to look back at his early days growing up in Glengad and his self-admitted "smart-ass" school days at Carndonagh Community School.

Dennis shares powerful insights from his 30-year career at the forefront of understanding autoimmune diseases, tracking the incredible evolution of modern treatments that save lives today. We also tackle the hype surrounding stem cell research, with Dennis issuing a sharp warning against the "cowboy businesses" exploiting vulnerable patients.

This is a casual chat that covers an extraordinary amount of ground—delving into everything from the daily realities of gout to the unexpected effects of space travel on the human body. Plus, Dennis explains a fascinating scientific twist: how he is collaborating with companies using Donegal alpacas—tied to his brother’s venture, the Wild Alpaca Way—to develop advanced treatments for human arthritis.

An inspiring, funny, and profoundly honest conversation with one of Ireland's finest medical minds.