The Big Breakfast Blaa

Alexander William ‘Bill’ Anderson’s childhood took place at Mount Prospect, Ballymountain, Co. Kilkenny.

His parents Paul and Eily were active with both the South Kilkenny and Waterford branches of the Irish Red Cross Society.

A talented illustrator, some of Bill’s work was published in the Waterford Standard.

However such artistic pursuits were forgotten about when he joined the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

A remarkable sequence of events saw one family disappear over a few years.

A story linking Waterford, Kilkenny, Dublin, and beyond- Cian Manning reminds us of a man lost to the pages of history.

Play to listen back in full to this week's edition of 'I Love My County' with Cian Manning.

You can also listen back to the full catalogue of Cian's segments each Wednesday on The Big Breakfast Blaa.

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Tramore woman, Áine McCarthy Kent joined Dymphna in studio to discuss exciting developments in her career.

Following her recent album launch, she is flying high on the reality of realising your dreams.

A former teacher in Waterford for 29 years, Áine comes from a well-known musical family.

It was music she was set to pursue following her retirement from teaching on the cusp of the arrival of Covid.

However a diagnosis of a cancer followed, and some difficult times for Aine and her family.

Today, she looks back with gratitude, and looks ahead with excitement to a future of possibilities.

Play to listen back to her interview in full.

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Freya Marsh at just 12 years of age, has been nominated for a national award recognising Young Athlete of the Year.

The HerSport.ie awards take place later this month, recognising athletes who have achieved significant success in their field.

Last year was a huge year for Freya, with a documentary based on her airing in cinemas to much acclaim.

Locally, a special mayoral reception was held in her honour in City Hall marking her success at the IMMAF World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

By the age of 10, Freya was already a two-time gold European Champion medallist.

Proficient in MMA, Jiu Jitsu, and Boxing to name but a few, Freya has her heights set firmly on the future.

She joined Ollie and Dymphna on The Big Breakfast Blaa ahead of the awards ceremony in Dublin.

Play to listen back in full to Freya and her mum Michelle on the show.

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Music hall singer and male-impersonator, Ella Shields was the daughter of a Wexford father and a Waterford mother.

She was a huge success in England from 1910 until her death in 1952.

She received great acclaim for her performance of the song, ‘Burlington Bertie from Bow,.'

However the initial success of the song would subsequently place a huge spectre over the rest of her career.

Shields’ last performance of the song which brought her fame has gone down in theatrical lore.

As we approach the end of 2025, pour a cuppa and listen to a wonderful look back at an extraordinary woman.

Play to listen back in full.

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At Christmas, we often reflect back on the festive times and memories which shaped us.

For Grace, this was Garvey's pub with her nanny and grandad on Ballytruckle.

This year, Grace will go to her mum's (Mary goes nowhere) and her dad's for Christmas.

There, she proudly tells us, her childhood bedroom is preserved like a shrine or a time capsule.

To wander down a Christmas memory lane with Grace, press play to listen back.

Merry Christmas to all from Grace- celebrating her first year on 'The Buzz' on The Big Breakfast Blaa.

We invite you to meet the lads of the Passage East Car Ferry...

That's exactly what Ollie and Dymphna did when they popped down with a delivery of blaas and Tayto.

The good people of Walsh's Bakehouse and Tayto supplied the goodies and Ollie and Dymphna popped down.

Michael Walsh and the lads invited them on board and they sailed to Ballyhack having the chats.

With 90 sailings a day, they are kept busy and are currently full of the festive spirit.

Play to listen back in full to Dymphna and Michael Walsh.

Blaa Giveaways have a Mega Fundraising bundle in their live draw this Sunday, 21st Dec at 10 pm, all in aid of the WLR Christmas Appeal in Aid of St Vincent De Paul.

Megan from Blaa Giveaways joined Ollie and Dymphna in studio ahead of the sixth year of the draw.

Tickets are €3.99 per entry.

Click Here To Enter

Here is the list of amazing prizes and remember, the winner will walk away with ALL of the below.

• iPhone 17 256gb

• iPad 10th gen

• 55" UHD Samsung TV

• Apple Airpods Pro

• Nintendo Switch 2

• Ninja Dual Airfryer

• Fitbit Sense 2

• Eufy Robovac

• €100 Smyths Voucher

• €3.99 per entry

• Max entries 1995

• Draw goes ahead regardless of sales

•  Live draw Sunday 21st Dec 10pm on Facebook Page & Youtube

• Play to listen back to Megan in studio with Ollie and Dymphna.

Winter League will hold a Santa Hat Run on Wednesday, 17th December 2025.

First runners off from 7 pm at the R.S.C.

WLR will have a bucket collection on the night to raise money for the Christmas Appeal in aid of St Vincent De Paul

Joe Cawley from the Winter League joined Ollie and Dymphna in studio with all the details.

He said for one week only- anyone can turn up and enjoy the fun and contribute to the bucket collection.

Play to listen back in full.

Michael O’Brien claimed to be the first person in Waterford city, if not the Irish Free State, to have a television in his own home in 1935.

From his family home in Jail Street, O’Brien devised an early prototype that received transmission from London.

The Cork-born O’Brien was to become well-known in Urbs Intacta as ‘the modern counterpart of the old town-crier’ for his public address announcements made across the city.

Cian Manning joined Ollie and Dymphna in studio with the full, amazing story.

He appealed to anyone who may be a surviving relative of the late Michael O'Brien to make contact also.

Play to listen back in full to this extraordinary story of Waterford's first television set.

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Tickets are now on sale for the little stars concert which will be held in the Sacred Heart Church this evening 9th Dec at 7.30pm.

This year’s lineup features the De La Salle College Senior Choir, St. Mary’s Ballygunner National School Choir, St. Ursula’s Primary School Choir, Scoil Lorcain Boys National School Choir, and a very special guest appearance from soprano Rhea Kennedy.

MC for the night is Dymphna Nugent from the Big Breakfast Blaa.

This is a  ticketed event and the link is available on our website.

Tickets cost €8. 

Wayne Brown, musical director and co-ordinator for the event joined Ollie and Dymphna in studio with all the details.

Play to listen back in full.

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