The Big Breakfast Blaa

The Waterford unit of the Order of Malta is to hold an open information session in their appeal for new volunteers.

Prospective volunteers will have an opportunity to ask questions and to gain further insight into the work done locally.

Clive O'Regan joined Ollie and Dymphna live on air.

This came on foot of an announcement by government that more €70,000 in funding was issued to the organisation locally.

Clive explained in detail where money is needed, the difference volunteers make, and their roots within the community.

Click on the image to listen back in full.

Five Waterford athletes from Waterford Muay Thai will represent Ireland this month at the IFMA Junior World Championship.

Aged between 12 and 16, all athletes are members of the Waterford Muay Thai club.

Leigha Kinsella (15), Casey Farrell (15), Eve Hearne (16), AJ Kiely, and Shay Moore (12) will leave Ireland on Wednesday at 3am.

Speaking in studio, John Walsh from Waterford Muay Thai spoke of the extensive fundraising efforts undertaken by each athlete.

Their fundraising is especially significant considering there was no possibility of funding or grants from either government or sporting bodies.

They joined Ollie and Dymphna in studio on The Big Breakfast Blaa ahead of their departure for Abu Dhabi.

For 42 years, John O'Shea has been a companion in homes across the county through the medium of radio.

In 1983, he heard an advertisement on WLR, which was at that time offering the role of a part-time DJ.

In the dead of night after all were asleep in his home, he made a demo tape and sent it on.

The rest as they say is history...

John is a trusted voice, keeping people company in the homes, workplaces, and on the move.

Through the airwaves, he is a friend to many, an entertainer, a companion, and a constant in a world of change.

He joined Ollie and Dymphna this morning on The Big Breakfast Blaa to discuss his career and to thank his listeners.

You can hear John Monday-Thursday on WLR Gold from 7pm-10pm.

You can also hear John each Sunday for Absolute Irish from 9pm-12am with a repeat each Friday from 10pm.

Waterford City Massed Band has been honoured at City Hall for their contributions to Waterford charities over 20 years.

Ger O'Brien joined Ollie and Dymphna on The Big Breakfast Blaa to reflect on last week's Mayoral Reception.

He reiterated that 'it takes a village and a cast of thousands' to make their annual concert a reality.

Ger gave special mention to members of the band, and members of the audience who are no longer here.

Listen back to the full chat by clicking on the image.

A search is on to find a multitude of Big Bosses in primary schools across Waterford.

A free initiative called 'Picker Pals,' works with schools to put children in the driving seat for a county-wide clean-up.

To date, more than 4,000 pupils aged between 6-9 have taken part.

Backups, high-vis vests, pickers, books, and much more are sent out to the pupils within a specific class.

Each pupil then has the opportunity to become the 'Big Boss' of their school as part of the Picker Pals.

Gary Jones from Picker Pals joined Ollie and Dymphna on The Big Breakfast Blaa this morning.

Listen back in full to hear how schools can get involved.

Grace joined us on air this week celebrating 40 years of Waterford Youth Arts.

Reflecting on her own time involved with the organisation, she recalled some people who were hugely influential.

From her favourite show, to her fondest memories, she brought us right down memory lane with her.

Click to listen back to Grace Drohan in full on The Buzz on The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna.

A 'devastating string of suicides' in West Waterford has prompted action to address resource shortages in the area.

That's according to local man, Donnchadh Mulcahy, who is on the organising committee for an event this Saturday, August 30th.

On Villierstown Quay a Well-Being and Fun Day will take place from 10am until 3pm.

The entirely free event will include kayaking, boat trips, mindfulness sessions, music, BBQ and more.

Speaking ahead of the event on The Big Breakfast Blaa, Donnchadh outlined the personal reasons behind the event.

It's aimed at raising awareness for West Waterford Mental Health Awareness,.

This is an inititative born following what Donnchadh described as 'a devastating string of suicides' in the region.

On the day, a confidential survey will also be launched to identify shortfalls in resources locally.

Click on the link to listen back in full.

Did you know that Waterford's Queen of the New Orleans brothel was a woman known as Kate Townsend?

Cian Manning knew... and he came on air with Ollie and Dymphna to discuss her life.

While little certainty about her life is had, it is accepted that she left behind two children in Liverpool to travel overseas.

While in New Orleans, she became a sex worker of some notoriety and open a now famous brothel on Basin Street.

Kate's story is one of money, intrigue, business, and eventually, murder.

Click on the link to listen back in full to this week's festure with historian Cian Manning.

The record for the youngest swimmer to swim across Tramore Bay from Brownstown Head to the Guillamene was set last weekend only to be broken ten minutes later in a display of sibling rivalry.

The swim across a bay famous for its storms and shipwrecks was undertaken by the Swift brothers Deici (11) and Art (9) from Patrick Street, Tramore.

They were accompanied by their father Jim and grandfather Declan Swift in two kayaks.

The boys achievement was supported by their father’s great experience since the age of 15,  of having swam the Bay over 20 times with a best time of 65 minutes.

Jim Swift also swam the English channel when he was 20 years old and famously circumnavigated Ireland in 30 days on a paddle board seven years ago for charity.

The boys and their mother Meadhbh joined Ollie and Dymphna on air this morning, August 25th, for a full rundown of how it went.

The Estuary Café brings a new era to the village of Passage East.

Dymphna caught up with staff member Claire, as part of this week's Tour de Blaa on The Big Breakfast Blaa.

When Dymphna popped in, the café was filled with locals popping in to get their caffeine fix ahead of a busy working day.

Claire, a native of Waterford City, is officially and proudly a Passage East blow-in.

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