The Big Breakfast Blaa

The inaugural 'Are Ye Well Fest' kicks off Friday, May 8th for a three-day run of free events. Running across Tallow, Cappoquin, and Lismore, a full programme of events is planned. Things kick off in St. Carthage's Cathedral in Lismore on Friday evening at 7pm with music from John Stack, motivational speaker Edgar Kirby and much more. Then on Saturday a free sunrise kayak from Lismore to Cappoquin...

A new event titled 'Sunrise Stroll' is set to replace the annual Darkness into Light event in Tramore. This follows the announcement by the organising committee of Darkness into Light Waterford City cancelling the walk, as announced on Deise Today The decision came on foot of the planned closure of Pieta House in Waterford, with  it described by Pieta as "a strengthened regional and local ser...

Last night, the Tower Hotel played host to a wealth of future stars of Waterford Camogie. Their inaugural fundraising fashion show took place, including starlit backdrop, catwalk, and this season's latest fashions. From bridal gowns to suits, holiday inspiration, to formal wear- the show had it all. Local retailers and businesses contributed en masse and made this an unforgettable night. Significa...

Following a community fundraising campaign, Garranbane National School has raised more than €15,000 for their new sensory room. Located in a modular building adjacent to the main school building, the room will be a place for pupils to regulate and to receive sensory stimulation. Due to a loophole in Department of Education funding, no assistance could be provided to the school as the sensory...

Dungarvan man, Shaw Desmond, amongst many other pseudonyms, claimed he could communicate with the dead. With a career spanning journalism to politics and more besides, his life could have been a Netflix documentary. Cian Manning joined Ollie and Dymphna this week with the full rundown of his claims to reach beyond the veil. Throughout the 1930s, following a significant tragedy in his life, he atte...

40 years ago, Stand By Me was released, and a cultural revolution was born. Coincidentally, 40 years ago, our own Grace was born and in Waterford, a separate cultural revolution occured. This week, in the absence of both Ollie and Dymphna, Grace introduced Andy and Maria to her unique brand of madness. On the eve of her brother's birthday, she revisited spiders in the sitting room, black gloves, r...

A night of fashion for Waterford Camogie will see the Tower Hotel transformed for a major fundraising initiative. On Thursday, April 23rd, local retailers will showcase their Spring/Summer fashions on the catwalk of the Tower Hotel. Special models have been drafted in to support the event, including Kilmacthomas' own Eddie Rockett! Tickets are available online, from the Tower Hotel, and from indiv...

Life's still unfair for Malcolm in the Middle as Grace celebrates the return of the mammoth 00s TV hit. The original lineup returns, with the exception of Erik Per Sullivan, who isn't reprising his role as Dewey. Grace has been waiting for this moment with baited breath, all set to embrace nostalgia with both hands. Also top of her TV list for this weekend is 'The Testaments,' the screen adaptatio...

The first man to identify himself as ‘Puerto Rican’ was known as Ramón Power ye  Giralt. A significant figure in the history of Puerto Rico, Power y Giralt was a brave  servant in the Spanish navy. He was also an adept legislator who played a significant role in one of  the earliest and most liberal constitutions in the world. All of this, as well as being a great...

The sound of brass, pipes, and drums filled the air in Waterford on Friday, March 27th, as musicians and audiences gathered to celebrate a remarkable milestone—the 20th anniversary of the Waterford Massed Bands. Three great organisations benefited from the night namely Assisi House Day Centre, Order of Malta Waterford unit and Scene and Heard Productions. What began two decades ago as a loca...

As Artemis II reached the far side of the moon last night, so too did a tribute to Waterford woman, the late Mary Cullen. Late of Philip Street, Waterford and Hove, Brighton, Mary worked for electronics company Knowles in the UK. Following the successful moon landing in 1969, Mary received a letter from Knowles which outlined the role she played in the communication system between the crew and the...

The Spring of 1902 saw the first motor-bicycle built in Waterford city on display at Co. Armagh-native William J. Cordner’s premises. An enterprising figure, Cordner began his cycle warehouse in the city on Henrietta Street in 1898. However, by the time he left Waterford by the mid-1920s, sold a range of sporting equipment, electrical goods as well as gramophones and records. How much d...

The world of recruitment is intense, fast-paced, and no day is ever the same. For the staff at Hartley People, a reward was in store thanks for Walsh's Bakehouse and Tayto. Ollie and Dymphna popped out with Blaas, Butter, and Tayto just in time for their elevenses. For Danielle Bohill-Walsh, this treat was the result of perseverance and determination. For months on end, she had nominated Hartley P...

Thousands of euro was raised last night, March 25th, in Ardscoil na Mara in Tramore. Spearheaded by the student council and TY student, Theo Fitzgerald, Ardscoil's Got Talent took place in the foyer. A raffle was organised on the night by the Parents Association, with hampers and prizes provided by local people and businesses. The Association matched all funds raised with all proceeds going to Bar...

A criminal gang of young people in Waterford became known as 'The Clutching Hand Gang' following 'The Exploits of Elaine.' This popular silent movie era television programme featured a gang of the same name. In Waterford, circa 1914, the gang terrorised the city, with reports at the time says 'no shop or grocers were safe.' The gang's leader, Bill, became particularly infamous for his exploits. St...

Local woman Breda Mahony is celebrating an incredible 40 years working at Monica’s in Dungarvan, a beloved cornerstone of the local retail scene. For decades, Monica’s has been at the heart of the community, and Breda’s story is a testament to its lasting impact. Speaking with Ollie and Dymphna, Breda fondly recalls March 19th, 1986, the day she first walked into Monica&rsqu...

Waterford was once known as 'the city with no statues.' This is almost inconceivable when you look around the city today with its plethora of museums and commemorative statues. The person who changed the landscape of the city was artist Gabriel Hayes. In the 1950s, she was the visionary behind the statue of Luke Wadding, now synonymous with Waterford. Cian Manning, historian extraordinaire joined...

Dungarvan St. Patrick's Day parade will be proudly led this year by the Dungarvan United Women's Football Team. This decision comes on the back of their phenomenal success across the past year. Proceedings kick off at 2pm in Dungarvan, with live music setting the scene from 12.30pm. Member of the organising committee, Ann Marie Rossiter joined Ollie and Dymphna on air. She is the final speaker fro...

Grace Harris (8) claimed her place in the history books as she accompanied the Waterford Rose at the selection event last Saturday. Cara Comerford, Portlaw, was crowned the Waterford Rose who will go on to represent the county at the International Rose of Tralee event later this year. 8-year-old Grace, an accomplished Irish dancer and proud Ballygunner National School pupil accompanied her. Grace...

Portlaw's Grand Marshall for this year's parade has been named John 'Corky' Corcoran. He is a stalwart of Portlaw United FC where he has been the unbroken Chair for the last 56 years. According to member of the organising committee, Declan Clune, John does not like the limelight but agreed to represent the club. A sea of floats, groups, walkers will showcase Portlaw in its best light from 12 noon...

A record number of floats will take part in this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Clashmore/Kinsalebeg. The parade gets underway at noon, with those taking part asked to assemble from 11.30. This year's Grand Marshall is local character, Maura McGrath as voted by the organising committee. The community has come together to line the streets with handmade bunting, flags, and gifts for children tak...

This year, the parade in Tramore will feature Tramore's Park Run as Grand Marshall. Johnny O'Grady from the organising committee joined Ollie and Dymphna in studio. He outlined the start times, route, and what to expect on the day. One thing is for certain, Johnny will have his usual tails, top hat, and dapper style at hand. Play to listen back in full. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Billy Flynn and Pierre Fetat joined Ollie and Dymphna following their successful trip to France. Together with the U9 team from St. Joseph's AFC, they played the likes of PSG, Juventus and more. This life-changing opportunity fostered strong friendships within the players, the parents, and the coaching staff. Together with improving their French, the players developed a hunger for playing at highe...

A year ago, Dymphna approached Grace and told her she had an idea for a Friday contributor on air. Grace instantly replied 'Great, I'll get my thinking cap on for someone suitable.' Of course, Grace WAS that someone suitable and a year later she is part of the furniture. With her wit, vibrancy, optimism, and buzziness, she is loved by listeners across the county (and beyond!) A friend, a professio...

Grace has done as promised, and she spent the weekend in the fine cinemas here in Waterford. What she saw documented rabid gorillas, Lord of the Flies type desert island relationships, and more. What better for a cinema snack than some salty, buttery popcorn? How about frozen popcorn? Grace tried out the viral trend, made the popcorn and froze the lot. Play to hear how she got on.   See omnys...