The Big Breakfast Blaa

The staff at Williamstown Golf Course had some seriously good treats for their elevenses this week.

Ollie and Dymphna jumped into the WLR car and arrived armed with Walsh's blaas, butter, and Tayto.

Wayne, a valued staff member at the course was nominated by his mother, Mary to receive the goodies.

The tea was poured, the chat was flowing, and hungry bellies were dealt with.

Wayne told Dymphna, that on a very rainy day, they are looking forward to the summer sun and return of the golfers.

On a summer day, the 18-hole course spread across 120 acres is filled with happy golfers.

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Dublin-born Edward Garraway moved to Rockshire in his youth and was educated at Waterford Diocesan School before studying medicine at Trinity College.

His medical career brought him to Africa, where he took part in the Jameson Raid, with Garraway’s prison journals being of great significance to historians of the event.

Garraway went on to attain several high ranking positions in the Union of South Africa before returning to Waterford.

He then became a member of Waterford Corporation and Master of the City and County Infirmary.

Another fascinating look at a Waterford tale, lost to the pages of history only for Cian Manning.

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Facts, history, general knowledge, and areas of special interest... Darragh has got it covered.

The young student of Garranbane National School is an extraordinarily impressive child.

His view of the world, his attention to detail, and his thirst for knowledge left a lasting impression on listeners.

During a follow-up visit to the school, Ollie and Dymphna caught up with Darragh.

He is a pupil in the special classroom at the school.

Their recent fundraising efforts aim to fully furnish a sensory room for pupils to use.

For Darragh and many others, this is an opportunity to regroup, to recharge during the day, and to fulfill their sensory needs.

Darragh is a remarkable boy, and this interview will fill your cup with wholesome goodness.

Play to listen in full, we promise you will learn facts galore!

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Mark White is, by now, synonymous with the WLR Be A Little Star Christmas Appeal.

Since the inception of the appeal, Mark has rallied his troops and raised the bar each and every year.

Last week, he was presented with a commemorative cheque marking his fundraising efforts for the past 8 years.

These efforts have raised a cumulative €115,585 all in aid of SVP here in Waterford.

Speaking to Ollie and Dymphna at his gym in Tramore AFC, Mark said he was humbled by the community efforts made.

His reasons for his efforts are deeply personal.

He recalls finding himself in a 'dark place' and managing to 'claw' his way out through the support of SVP.

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For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.

In a slight change from usual content, Grace has launched an appeal for Waterford people in support of a local teen.

Lorek O'Keeffe, a student at Mount Sion CBS in Waterford has had an extremely challenging year.

In May of last year, he was rushed to hospital and underwent a 15-hour surgery.

Unprecedented cardiac issues mean that further surgery is likely in Lorek's future.

Along with his family, he attends medical appointments in Dublin at least twice a week.

A fundraising evening taking place on January 31st aims to relieve financial pressures on his family.

Grace joined Ollie and Dymphna for her weekly slot and issued a special appeal.

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The wider community near Garranbane National School has rallied around recent fundraising efforts.

A target has been set to raise enough funds for a full suite of equipment to serve the sensory room.

Costs are estimated at in the region of €15,000 to purchase the equipment.

Pupils in the special classroom at Garranbane National School have visited other schools with their teachers in recent weeks.

Already, they have compiled a list of their favourite items which they would like to see included in the equipment.

Tara Sheehan spoke with Ollie and Dymphna during their recent visit to the school.

She explained that as the sensory classroom is located in a modular building, there is no funding available.

Consequently, this means the school is relying entirely on support from the community.

Donations have come in from families of past pupils, local GAA clubs, and many others.

Tara explains the importance of the room as a resource for the future of all pupils.

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Scandalous secrets of the Profumo bedroom dominates Cian Manning's chats with us this week,

The early 1960s in British politics saw the name Profumo associated with controversy and scandal.

Conspiracies of the State and secrets of the bedroom emerged through the conduct of MP, John Profumo.

Remarkably, the surname would become firmly connected with Ballyglan estate overlooking Woodstown Strand.

This connection was through John's brother, Major Philip Profumo.

Indeed, he himself would have his own indiscretions reported in the Irish press.

A wonderfully scandalous tale as told by Cian Manning, this is worth pouring a cuppa and having a listen.

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A major clinic for major and minor surgeries for Waterford's teddies and dolls will run this Saturday.

The annual Juniors for Juniors Teddy Bear Hospital returns for its third year.

Nurses, student nurses and consultants will be gowned up on the day to carry out major surgeries and repairs.

These include stitches, scans, triage, x-rays, blood pressure checks and more.

Time slots must be booked in ahead of attendance, which runs from 10am to 3.30pm in the Healthcare building at SETU.

All bookings can be made on the Juniors for Juniors website.

While a vital service for all cuddly loved ones, the hospital serves an additional important role.

According to Joe, it prepares children for their upcoming stay in hospital and what to expect.

This, he says, takes away the fear which comes with uncertainty around a hospital visit or stay.

Play to listen back in full to all the details needed, and about what Juniors for Juniors does for the children's ward in UHW.

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A continual decline in the membership of the Waterford Boat Club since 1928 saw one of the oldest sporting institutions in Ireland on the verge of going out of existence in 1941.

However, there would be many ups and downs over a few months.

It was these which secured the future of the club that is still active on the River Suir today.

Cian Manning joined us for another look back at stories which Waterford really should know about.

Every Wednesday, Cian joins Ollie and Dymphna in studio for 'I Love My County.'

Play to listen back to this fascinating tale of the the saving of Waterford Boat Club.

From Longest Toenails to Life Lessons: Grace explains it all from the Guinness Book of World Records.

This was her gift to Ollie for Christmas, and he was like a child on Christmas morning poring over it.

Grace is back for another calendar year of 'The Buzz with Grace.'

Over the year she has brought us some cracking features, putting the world to rights.

This week, we chatted long fingernails, enormous snakes, and so much more from the world of the impossible.

You can catch Grace every Friday on The Big Breakfast Blaa after the 9am news bulletin.

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