The Dark Side of Gambling with Luke Loughlin & Áine Byrne
In this episode of Under Construction with Chadwicks, host Donncha O’Callaghan sits down with Westmeath GAA star Luke Loughlin and Áine Byrne from Bagenalstown Family Resource Centre - Luke opens up about his journey through gambling, drug & alcohol addiction and the long road to recovery. From the first bet where he won big to the moment everything changed, Luke shares the highs, the devastating lows, and the strength it took to turn things around. Alongside him is Áine, an expert in the field who’s spent years working on the frontlines in a resource centre, helping individuals and families affected by gambling harm. Together, they unpack the reality behind the addiction, the shame and silence that often surrounds it, and the hope that comes with support and recovery.
Follow Chadwicks, Donncha, and the Guests:
Chadwicks Website: www.chadwicks.ie
Follow Chadwicks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwicks_ie/
Follow Chadwicks on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chadwicksie
Follow Donncha O’Callaghan: https://www.instagram.com/donnchaocallaghan/
Follow Luke Loughlin: https://www.instagram.com/lukeloughlin13/
Listen on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in this episode, support is available. You can contact Gambling Care at 1800 936 725 or visit www.gamblingcare.ie.
#ChadwicksPodcast #UnderConstructionPodcast #Podcast #Construction
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56:08
S5Ep3: From Ballymun to the Big Stage with Willa White & Eric Lalor
In this episode of Under Construction with Chadwicks, host Donncha O’Callaghan sits down with two legends of Irish comedy—Eric Lalor and Willa White—for a chat filled with laughter, resilience, and a few unexpected turns.
From growing up in Ballymun to making audiences roar with laughter, Eric and Willa share their journeys from very different early careers—IBM for Eric, and a much tougher path for Willa—to finding their way onto the comedy circuit. They talk about their breakthrough moments in Des Bishop’s ‘Joy in the Hood’ almost 20 years ago, the highs and lows of stand-up, and the madness of Irish audiences.
Expect hilarious stories, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of slagging as they reflect on their careers, the struggles they’ve overcome, and what’s next.
So, grab a cuppa and tune in for plenty of banter and a dose of inspiration from two of Ireland’s finest.
🎧 Listen now for a hilarious and inspiring journey from Ballymun to the comedy stage!
Follow Chadwicks, Donncha, and the Guests:
🔗 Chadwicks Website: www.chadwicks.ie
📲 Follow Chadwicks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwicks_ie/
📲 Follow Chadwicks on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chadwicksie
📲 Follow Donncha O’Callaghan: https://www.instagram.com/donnchaocallaghan/
📲 Follow Willa White: https://www.instagram.com/willawhitecomedy/
📲 Follow Eric Lalor: https://www.instagram.com/ericlalor/
🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
📩 Drop your thoughts in the comments. What do you think is next for the Irish Comedy scene?
#IrishComedy #Comedy #Irish #Ireland #Comedians #ChadwicksPodcast #UnderConstructionPodcast #Podcast #Construction #Banter
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59:27
S5Ep2: From Underdogs to World Contenders: Alan Quinlan & Junior B Things on Irish Rugby’s Rise to Glory
Irish rugby has gone from empty stands to packed stadiums in just a few decades. But how did it happen? In this episode of Under Construction, former Munster and Ireland legend Alan Quinlan and sports presenter Junior B join Donncha O’Callaghan to break down the key moments that changed everything.
From the amateur days of Jaffa Cakes and Coke before a match to the elite professionalism of today, this episode explores:
The moment Irish rugby turned professional and what changed overnight
How Munster went from 200 fans at a club match to 40,000 at Twickenham
The rise of schools rugby and why it now dominates the talent pool
The hidden advantages of Leinster's private school system
What the GAA can learn from rugby’s evolution
Is grassroots rugby under threat as the game becomes more elite?
Alan Quinlan shares hilarious dressing room stories and on-pitch clashes
Expect brilliant stories, honest insights, and plenty of laughs, including:
The time Ronan O’Gara got chased around the pitch mid-game
Why Jaffa Cakes and Coke were considered "nutrition"
How contract negotiations were completely random in the early days
A great listen if you're a die-hard rugby fan, a casual supporter, or just love a great sports story.
🎧 Listen now and discover the untold story behind Irish rugby’s rise.
Follow Chadwicks, Donncha, and the Guests:
🔗 Chadwicks Website: www.chadwicks.ie
📲 Follow Chadwicks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwicks_ie/
📲 Follow Chadwicks on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chadwicksie
📲 Follow Donncha O’Callaghan: https://www.instagram.com/donnchaocallaghan/
📲 Follow Alan Quinlan: https://www.instagram.com/alanquinlan6/
📲 Follow Junior B: https://www.instagram.com/juniorbthings/
🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
📩 Drop your thoughts in the comments. What do you think is next for Irish rugby?
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52:15
S5 Ep1: Inside the Champions' Mindset
Under Construction with Chadwicks is back for Season 5 with host Donncha O'Callaghan!
In episode one, Donncha sat down with Mark Coyle and John O'Sullivan from Shelbourne FC to dive into their incredible League of Ireland-winning season. They share insights on the team’s winning mentality, the hard work behind the scenes, and what it takes to lift the trophy. From key moments on the pitch to the bond in the dressing room, this episode is a must-listen.
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54:16
S4 Ep10: Competing on Boxing's Biggest Stage with Jack Marley & Michael Carruth
In the season finale of Under Construction with Chadwicks host Donncha O’Callaghan chats to Irish heavyweight boxer and Chadwicks brand ambassador Jack Marley as well as the first ever Irish boxer to win Olympic gold, Michael Carruth. The episode launches as Jack completes his final preparations to compete on boxing's biggest stage and fight at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which begins later this month.
Jack, who began boxing at Monkstown boxing club aged 8 and is now 21, qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics early, and has been preparing to fight at the games by completing three training sessions a day, five days a week at the Sport Ireland High Performance Unit for months.
Michael, who during the episode reflects on his own experiences competing at the Seoul 1988 Olympics and at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, where he won gold aged 25, was described by Donncha as a ‘trend setter for boxing success in Ireland’. Michael’s advice for Jack ahead of Paris is to ‘focus on nothing but the matches’, and ‘believe that he can win’, as every boxer needs to.
Donncha O’Callaghan chats and has the craic with industry insiders, gets great tips on how to improve business and takes a peek behind the scenes at Chadwicks.
Ireland