Real People. Real Stories.There are stories that rarely get told — but need to be. Each episode features a candid interview with individuals navigating serious challenges — from health crises to personal turning points.
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A midlands woman living with stage four stage breast cancer is set to launch a new book exploring cancer, chronic illness, grief and loss. Portarlington's Avril Tierney’s new book, Cancer, Chaos and Courage, offers a much-needed message of hope and support to anyone facing cancer, living with chronic illness, or navigating grief and loss. The mother of two was 41 when diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2019 and has since undergone intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation and multiple complex surgeries. Market House in Portarlington will host the book launch on Friday, Sep
The parents of a Laois child with cerebral palsy say his quality of life has "significantly" deteriorated since he was forced to leave school. Oisín Gill, from Rathdowney, attended an ASD unit in a Tipperary mainstream primary school from 2022 until his expulsion last November, after it was deemed unable to meet his needs The eight-year-old lives with cerebral palsy, autism and moderate intellectual disabilities. Despite their persistent efforts in applying for special schools, his parents have been unable to secure a place for the upcoming academic year. Oisin's mum Samantha and his dad Padra
As the sunshine continues to shine in Ireland, many people are opting for staycations. Portlaoise's John Whelan says one of the cheapest options is a campervan. He runs the website Vanhalla.ie and reviews different campsites and locations around the country. He's been speaking with Will Faulkner about his trip to Connemara.
A Laois mother is seeking reimbursement from the HSE, over a drug needed to improve symptoms of her son's metabolic disorder. Ballinakilll's Roseanne Dwyer looks after her nine year son James, who was diagnosed through a rare metabolic disorder called PKU through the heel prick test. He was put on a trial for a drug for a short period of time, but did not meet the clinical deadline. Ms Dwyer and her friend Aoife Murphy, who also has a child with PKU, have beens sharing their stories with Will Faulkner on Midlands Today.
Gardaí say they've learned lessons after two members were taken to hospital after processing cannabis vape products in an Offaly station. Edenderry Garda Station had to be closed for an investigation and deep clean last month after the incident. High temperatures in the station's evidence storage room caused the activation of CBD and THC vapour in the vapes, which led to two officers becoming unwell. Superindendent Tony Tighe from Tullamore Garda Station says they have since recovered and are doing well. He's also asking for members of the public to get involved a new Local Community Safety Pa
The former GAA president is being remembered for his love of his community. The Trumera club man passed away yesterday at the age of 70 after a short illness. He was the 37th president of the GAA, as well as chairperson at UCD, Trumera, and Leinster. The former school teacher spoke with David Hollywood on Midlands 103 two years ago in a life n times interview:
A book of condolence has opened in Dublin for singer Glen Hansard following his death yesterday. Queues of people have been paying their respects to the 56 year-old at the Mansion House in Dublin. While online, stars including Bob Geldof, Ben Stiller and Ed Sheeran have described the singer as a brilliant artist and a kind man. Westmeath's Paddy Dunning from Grouse Lodge and the Irish Roll N' Roll Museum, Kilbeggan singer Neil Moran and Laois Farmer Brendan Guinan have been sharing their memorable time with Glen on the Midlands Today Show with Will Faulkner.
An Offaly farmer says he's angry after four masked raiders with hatchets and bolt cutters tried to break into his property. Seamus Farrell used his legally owned shotgun to scare them. He has been the victim of a number of previous robberies, including a €8,000 bike that belonged to his son which he later got back. Gardai are yet to make an arrest over the incident. Edenderry's Mr Farrell has been speaking with Will Faulkner and says it's left him and his family shaken:
A retired Garda sergeant for the Midlands is developing a community safety toolkit to tackle issues such as domestic and gender based violence. Graham Kavanagh is bringing his experience from working in crime prevention for Laois/Offaly division, to the role of Research and Development Officer at Muintir Na Tire. It will consist of self led training modules on topics including domestic and gender based violence, and bystander intervention. Mr Kavanagh has been speaking with Midlands 103's Will Faulkner and says he hopes to help people:
A community is coming together to raise funds in memory of a young Westmeath woman who lost her life while on holiday in Spain last month. Michaela Newcombe, Michael McCullagh-Crichton and Amy McCullagh died after a road crash in Malaga and will all be laid to rest in the Mullingar area this week. 'Moving for Michaela' is a raising money for the Kevin Bell Repatration Trust which plays a crucial role in supporting families return their deceased loved ones from overseas. Sinead Kelly from The Fitness Factory in Delvin will be leading a circuit class at St Patrick's Hall in the village from 8am
A Westmeath family has narrowly escaped devastating wildfires in Europe with just their passports and the clothes on her back. Around 10,000 people have been evacuated near the French/Spanish border. Mullingar's Orlaith Darcy was camping in Perpignan when a fire struck their site without warning. She has been speaking with Will Faulkner on Midlands Today and says it was a traumatic experience:
A Westmeath man is set to represent Italy alongside his son at the GAA World Games next week. Rosemount's James Kinahan, who's been living in the northern city of Milan since 2001, will be lining out for Italy GAA, with his son Sean also taking part. The games are an international celebration of Gaelic games, uniting players, clubs, and communities from around the world for a week of Gaelic football and Ladies Gaelic football competitions. The event will take place in Waterford from Monday July 13th until Friday 17th. Despite only getting together once a month as a group, Mr Kinahan has been s
A Mullingar woman will represent Westmeath in this year's Rose of Tralee. Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh impressed judges by sharing her story of living with alopecia since the age of 15. The 25-year-old wants to support others experiencing hair loss so she founded The Hair Loss Haven, a community that offers advice, support and meet ups for members. She will now represent Westmeath at the 2026 Rose of Tralee Festival in Kerry, which takes place from August 14th to August 18th. She says she wasn’t expecting it when her name was announced:
Applegreen is set to create up to 40 new jobs in Laois. The American fast food restaurant Popeyes is partnering with its forecourts, with the first one opening at Midway Junction 17 off the M7 in Portlaoise in the coming weeks. It's part of a €6m investment to open outlets at more locations over the next four years. Applegreen's Managing Director in Ireland, and Emo's Seamus Stapleton has been speaking with David Hollywood and says Portlaoise was an obvious choice:
A Westmeath psychotherapist is warning of the dangers of gambling addiction, by sharing his own experience with it. Daniel Coulter was first exposed to betting as a teenager when he placed and won his first one. He says he use the money his mum gave him for food while he was in college to gamble. He eventually went into treatment to overcome it, studied psychotherapy and opened his own business, Serenity Therapy, in Moate. Mr Coulter has been speaking with Will Faulkner on Midlands Today and says he credits his family for helping him through recovery:
13 teachers from a Laois school are taking to the sky this September - and doing a parachute jump to raise funds for a therapy dog. Presentation Primary School in Portarlington is looking to raise €15,000 euro to cover the costs to train and own one through charity My Canine Companion. They were inspired to start fundraising after the visit of another therapy dog from another Laois school. Karen Monaghan is a teacher at the school and says it will help the entire school community:
Forest Fest 2026 is almost here. Echo and the Bunnymen, Madness and James wil headline this year's event in Emo from 24th - 26th of July. Mary Coughlan will also be returning after a successful performance last year. She's been speaking to Midlands 103's Sinead Hubble about why she's looking forward to the event:
Portlaoise is set to welcome a vibrant new outdoor space for its youth. Local youth group 'Comhairle na nÓg Laois,' designed the outdoor space to be located in the People's Park in Portlaoise. The new space will feature amphitheatre-style seating, a stage. Páirc an Phobail is scheduled to open at the end of July. Rori Keane from Comhairle na nÓg has been speaking with Midlands 103's Ann Marie Kelly and says it will be a great space for young people:
Shane Ross says there has been secrets in RTÉ since it began in 1961. The former politician says the book "RTÉ Saints, Scholars and Scandals", came from the 2023 revelations regarding secret payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy. He says even the board seemed to be unaware of what presenters were being paid in the 1980s. Mr. Ross has been speaking with Will Faulkner on the Midlands Today Show.
An Offaly manufacturing company is investing €8m in its production facilities. Grant Engineering says the money will fund an expansion of its production facilities and the launch of a new range of hot water cylinders. The Birr based comany has been operating for over 45 years, employing more than 400 people, supplying markets in Ireland, the UK, Europe, and New Zealand. Grant says the investment underscores the company’s commitment to manufacturing in Ireland, driving innovation and supporting the transition to more sustainable home heating. Managing Director Stephen Grant has been speaking wi
Businesses across the region are celebrating after picking up awards at the Midlands 103 Customer Service Awards. 61 awards were handed out at the Tullamore Court Hotel last night recognising individuals and companies for their excellence service. Legal Firm of the Year was picked up by Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors, Athlone, while Damian Foy, TF Building Contractors from Rhode took the title of Builder of the Year and Optician of the Year was awarded to Infocus Opticians in Portlaoise. The Timahoe Male Choir crowded onto the stage and wowed those gathered in the Tullamore Court. Midland
Irish Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental has died at the age of 90. The Slovakian born Jew lost 35 members of his family during the Holocaust and was imprisoned as a child in Bergen Belsen concentration camp in Germany. In 1959, he moved to Ireland and spent his retirement giving talks to thousands of school children about the horrors he witnessed. Speaking in Tullamore six years ago, he shared his story of liberation with Midlands 103's Sinéad Hubble.
Two brothers are undertaking their 31st Marathon in 31 days in order to raise awareness about Dementia. Jordan and Cian Adams carry the gene for frontotemporal dementia and lost their mum at the age of 52 to the illness. The brothers ran through Portlaoise yesterday and are running in the Tullamore area today. Supporters gather in Llyod town park this morning to join them in today's marathon. Midlands 103's Courtney Callaghan was there and has been speaking with Jordan about his journey so far:
The family of a Laois woman, who died after her partner stabbed her at least 13 times, says her little boy is going to grow up without a mammy, because she was killed by a monster. 39-year-old Sean Egan, who was formerly of Rathmiles in Portarlington, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility of Sharon Crean on 14 December 2022 at College Avenue in Mountmellick. Last Thursday, he was jailed for 12 and a half years. Sharon's sister Tara Cullen has been speaking with Midlands 103's says she wasn't just a name, she was a sister, a mum and a friend:
A Westmeath activist says she was beaten while she was detained by Israeli forces. Moate's Louise McCormack returned home to Ireland on Saturday among 13 other Irish citizens. She had been a boat organiser on the Global Smud Flotilla providing aid in the form of food, baby formula and medicine to Gaza. Ms. McCormack has been speaking with Will Faulkner on "Midlands Today" and says she was grabbed by the neck:
