Cork's 96fm Opinion Line

The blackwater fish kill - it’s a lot worse than anyone thought - and please don’t eat the dead fish...Could you do CPR - 96FM & the ambulance service are getting together to teach you...Oasis fans say Croker was a gig for the history books & lots more 

Oasis’ reunion shows at Croke Park left fans calling them the greatest gigs they’ve ever seen. With 80,000 people singing in unison across two sold-out nights, the Gallagher brothers delivered a powerhouse set of classics. PJ Coogan was joined by Simon Murdoch to recap on the weekend.

With UCC and MTU due to resume classes in early September, students are once again struggling to find affordable accommodation. UCC Students’ Union says the college provides just 18% of purpose-built student housing in Cork far below Dublin and Galway.

Every minute counts in a cardiac arrest and learning CPR could be the difference between life and death. This week, Cork’s 96FM joins forces with the National Ambulance Service and community first responders for two public events offering free CPR demonstrations. With 353 cardiac arrests recorded in Cork last year, responders say: “It takes a community to save a life.”

Cork Opera House is bringing The Sound of Music back to the stage for the first time in over a decade. Opening July 2026, the large-scale local production will feature a full cast, including children from Cork, and run for at least four weeks over the summer. The show follows a milestone 170th anniversary year for the Opera House, which has also built a new public archive of over 1,300 historic items.

A massive fish kill on the River Blackwater may be the worst in Ireland’s history. Up to 30,000 trout, salmon, and eels have died along a 30-kilometre stretch, with birds and other wildlife now showing signs of illness. As anglers raise the alarm, experts await test results to uncover what’s poisoning one of the country’s most important rivers.

Ahead of his 15th year hosting the Rose of Tralee, Dáithí Ó Sé talks to PJ about the joy of the festival, working alongside co-host Kathryn Thomas, the changing face of the Roses, and how he keeps the high-pressure live show running smoothly.From memorable moments to behind-the-scenes secrets, he reflects on why the event remains a uniquely Irish celebration.

Eighteen-year-old Cormac O’Callaghan from Cork is set to represent Ireland at the UCI World Championships, while living with muscular dystrophy. From lockdown bike rides to a €30,000 world-class setup, he shares how determination, family support, and a love for cycling are driving him toward his dream: the 2028 Paralympics.

Paul Byrne rides along with Cork’s National Ambulance Service to witness the reality behind the sirens.Along the way, they open up about the emotional toll, the tight-knit camaraderie, and the powerful life lessons learned on the frontline of emergency care.