The Big Breakfast Blaa

Grace has ALL the lowdown this week on Yellowstone, and the bleak ranches they inhabit. From sequels, prequels and everything in between- Grace has you covered. Now...Grace is torturing Dymphna with yet another programme only available on Paramount Plus. But this may be the one that tips her over to edge to commit to a subscription. To experience your own 'Let's Go Girls' Shania Twain moment, clic...

Who knew that Helen Keller visited Waterford as part of her Ireland and UK birthday celebrations? Strange... but definitely true, as confirmed by The Big Breakfast Blaa resident historian, Cian Manning. Together with Anne Sullivan, Helen visited Waterford, citing a particular enjoyment for Lismore. Hear more about the trip, and the incredible life of the late Helen Keller. Click on the image to li...

Niamh Rockett is known by many as a household camogie name. The Kilmacthomas native is the subject of a brand new film by Tomás McCarthy, titled 'Rockett Woman.' Dymphna Nugent spoke with Niamh about the pressures of the public eye, of the joy of being a teacher, and the thrill of the game. Niamh also gave a shoutout to the doctor who recently stitched up her ear.... in his kitchen! Click on the i...

Every young reader in Waterford primary schools is encouraged to explore the world within the pages of a book this summer. This comes as the Summer Stars reading programme is officially underway in Waterford Libraries. With a card to fill out and stamp, each child is then eligible to receive a medal and certificate in September in school. The hugely popular programme is free to enter, and a host o...

Last Friday night, a packed pub in Kilmacthomas saw the airing of 'Rockett Woman.' The film, based on the career of camogie star Niamh Rockett was produced in conjunction with Nemeton TV. Film-maker, journalist, and GAA correspondent Tomás McCarthy spoke with Dymphna Nugent at the airing. He spoke candidly about the GAA, mental health, the importance of family, and the woman herself-Niamh Rockett....

On this week's 'The Buzz,' Grace does all she can to make sure she goes to 'The Good Place.' Where is that, I hear you ask? Just ask Ted Danson. Despite it being Friday the 13th, Grace banished the blues on air with Andy and Dymphna. She headed to the retirement home, where shenanigans were going down with Ted Danson. AND she headed to 'The Good Place,' where we all hope we will end up one day. Wi...

We have some top tips for peak training results, nutrition, and mental performance ahead of the WLR Waterford Viking Marathon. Coach Brian Swaby joined Andy and Dymphna live in studio ahead of the main event on Sunday, June 22nd. Should people run in the coming days? How important is nutrition? And how can we motivate ourselves to just start, and then keep, running? Click on the link to listen bac...

Edward Morland Lewis, a Welsh painter, was particularly friendly with Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Such was the strength of their friendship that Thomas was best man at Morland Lewis' wedding. A painter of much renown, Morland Lewis famously painted Reginald's Tower, the Waterford Estuary and the surrounding coastline. Historian Cian Manning was live in studio to discuss the short life of this memorab...

Grace from 'The Buzz' fame has developed her very own zombie plan in the event Waterford comes under siege. In the most recent edition of 'The Buzz', Grace chats about 28 Years Later, the much-anticipated sequel. She also delved into the Tylenol murders, a new infamous cold case involving cyanide and Tylenol tablets. To listen back to Grace and to hear about her zombie plan, click on the image to...

Multi-platinum singer-songwriter David Gray is preparing for another Irish leg of his current tour. Following on from the success of the 3Arena dates, he is taking to the INEC in Killarney this August. Dymphna Nugent caught up with David Gray to chat about turning 57, the enduring success of White Ladder, and the return to domesticity at home. Click on the image to listen back in full.

A series of new parking 'Pay and Display' machines introduced in Tramore are not 'user friendly.' That's according to Tramore Amusement and Leisure Park manager, Michael Garland. The new machines accept both cash and card. However, the requirement to input a registration number prevents the transfer of parking ticket from one driver to another. Additionally, Michael says the screens themselves are...

From farm to fork, Eamo and Ro in Kilmacthomas have created a labour of love in Kilmacthomas. The business partners both grew up in homes that prioritised good food. Those life lessons transferred to their business model, which is thriving on the main street in Kilmacthomas almost 3 years later. As part of the Tour de Blaa, Dymphna caught up with them both for a chat upstairs in the restaurant. Cl...

Susan Hannon is the unequivocal queen of reaching new heights and achievements. Last year, Susan qualified as a Shannon class lifeboat afloat mechanic after just 12 months with Dunmore East RNLI. Additionally, she holds the role of Safety Culture and Leadership Senior Partner with ESB Networks. And not one to rest on her laurels, Susan has just returned from a trip to Mount Everest base camp. She...

Teresa in Kilmacthomas was not only born there, but has remained there her entire life. Behind the counter in The Sunflower Shop, she greets customers with a smile and is always on hand to help. The shop itself is vibrant and filled with stock worthy of Aladdin's Cave. On this week's Tour de Blaa, Dymphna spoke with Teresa about the appeal in life in Kilmacthomas.

Michael Reilly, at just 16 years of age, already has an extensive catalogue of achievements in the boxing world. Michael received a prestigious award at the Waterford Garda Youth awards for his contributions and personal success. He attended the ceremony with his family and spoke to Dymphna from WLR afterwards. He told her he has learned from the best, with his father having paved the way through...

Dungarvan CBS students have been recognised for their efforts in raising awareness around drunk-driving. At this year's Waterford Garda Youth Awards, four pupils were awarded the overall Pat Noctor Memorial Award. Their work involved a crash simulation and collaboration with local emergency services. Armed with crystal and silverware, the students were delighted to have their work so widely recogn...

The prestigious Harvard University is to be intrinsically linked with a Waterford national school forever more! This comes on foot of a new initiative between Harvard, IBI, and WLR. A sound recorder was installed on the grounds of the school to capture the sounds of nature. This vital recorder will document changes as a result of climate change and contribute to biodiversity knowledge. Ollie and D...

As part of their Tour de Blaa, Ollie and Dymphna visited the stunning Dunmore East. Among the many interesting characters they met along the way was a very creative man. Self-described as a 'blow-in,' he had hand-built his very own hovercraft. Eventually dismantled, at one stage, it took up most of the garden space. How on earth did this come about? Click on the image to listen back in full.

At 5 Tivoli Terrace in Tramore, a new private school opened with the aim of preparing young learners for the future. It was the brainchild of Edmund Naganowski, a writer and educator credited with introducing the scouting movement to Poland. The school charged a significant fee for attendance on an annual basis. Local historian Cian Manning joined Ollie and Dymphna live in studio. Click on the ima...

A local Dunmore East fisherman caught up with Dymphna Nugent for a full explanation of the industry. The thriving harbour was once one of the largest ports in Europe. David O'Neill echoed his hopes that this will once again be the case. As part of the Tour de Blaa, Ollie and Dymphna have been exploring the village of Dunmore East. David spoke of the long hours, the red-tape, and the online auction...

Waterford teacher Katie Chance was live in studio this morning looking ahead to exam season. Whether that is for those sitting State exams, or those sitting summer exams, the advice remains the same. For most secondary schools, summer exams will kick off from next week, with the term finishing at the end of that week. Elsewhere, the Leaving Certificate gets underway on June 4th. Additionally, this...

The Haven Hotel is proud to have Stephen Phelan (Chad) as their longest serving member of staff. Having worked his way up the rungs of the ladder, he is now Head Chef at the busy hotel. As part of their Tour de Blaa, Ollie and Dymphna visited Dunmore East on the sunniest of days. Chad recapped on his many years in the hotel, and the changing times on site. Click on the image to listen back in full...

The Haven Hotel is synonymous with Dunmore East, stepped in history and stories. As part of their Tour de Blaa, Ollie and Dymphna visited the sunny shores of the village. They caught up with Paul Kelly from The Haven Hotel. The hotel has just unveiled the fruits of their extensive building works on site. Paul spoke about the quirky decor within the hotel, the colourful history of the hotel, and hi...

Dunmore East was the first destination on the whistlestop Tour de Blaa. Each week, Ollie and Dymphna are hitting the road and visiting as many communities as possible. On Monday, the spotlight was on the queen of the village herself, Karen Harris. We also heard about some of the many famous visitors to The Bay Café in Dunmore East, courtesy of Dave Harris. Click on the image to listen back in full...

Dunmore East was the first destination on the whistlestop Tour de Blaa. Each week, Ollie and Dymphna are hitting the road and visiting as many communities as possible. On Monday, the spotlight was on the queen of Dunmore East herself, Karen Harris. We also heard about some of the many famous visitors to The Bay Café in Dunmore East, courtesy of Dave Harris. Click on the image to listen back in ful...